Learning styles, Types of Learning Style

Many people recognize that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles.

1. HC-1 childhood and growing up TOPIC: LEARNING STYLES

2. Introduction of learning styles Many people recognize that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well. Perhaps the most simple way of describing ‘learning styles’ is to say that they are different methods of learning or understanding new information, the way a person takes in, understand, expresses and remembers information. There are 4 predominant learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic. While most of us may have some general idea about how we learn best, often it comes as a surprise when we discover what our predominant learning style is.

3. IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING STYLES Your learning styles have more influence than you may realize. Your preferred styles guide the way you learn. They also change the way you internally represent experiences, the way you recall information, and even the words you choose. Research shows us that each learning style uses different parts of the brain. By involving more of the brain during learning, we remember more of what we learn. Researchers using brain-imaging technologies have been able to find out the key areas of the brain responsible for each learning style.

4. Types of learning styles There are many models and theories about learning styles. This particular system about an individual’s learning preference is known as VARK—Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic (hands-on) Know your tutee’s learning style. Why? To find out if he or she processes, learns, and retains information most effectively by seeing, listening, reading/writing, or through movement/touch. Each individual has a preferred learning style, and many have multiple learning styles. One particular style is not better than the others and a preferred style does not mean you cannot learn in other ways; it is simply what may work best to process, learn and retain information. Students may become better learners if they know their learning style and use the respective strategies.

5. VISUAL LEARNING STYLE They generally prefer to sit at the front of the classroom. These individuals think in pictures and may learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated textbooks, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts, use of interactive whiteboards, and handouts. During a lesson or classroom discussions, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.   Learning strategies:  · Limit amount of words/information; allows for mental imagery · Convert notes and translate words into symbols, diagrams, and/or pictures · Highlight important points in text; key words · Create flashcards for key information; be concise · Create visual reminders of information · Practice turning visuals back into words · Color-code, underline . Be creative with charts, diagrams, mind maps

6. AUDITORY LEARNING STYLE These individuals learn best through verbal lessons, discussions, talking things through, and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to the voice tone, pitch, and speed. These learners often benefit from reading the text and notes out loud and/or listening to recorded notes and information from texts.   Learning strategies:   · Work in groups or with a study partner; i.e. discussions: listening, talking · Review assignments and text reading before class · Read notes and text out loud · Recite information that is important to remember · Record notes, key information, and lectures; listen to recordings regularly · Use books-on-tape · Mathematical/technical information: o State the problem out loud o Think through a process or sequence of steps: write out, then read out loud o Discuss questions/problems in a group or with a study-buddy

7. READ/WRITE LEARNING STYLE   Individuals with this preference prefer information displayed as words. Emphasis is placed on text-based input and output; i.e. reading and writing in all its forms. People who prefer this modality love to work using PowerPoint, the Internet, lists, dictionaries, thesauri, and words.   Learning strategies:   · Rewrite notes · Read/review notes every day · Rewrite ideas and principles into other words · Organize diagrams/graphs into statements · Turn reactions, actions, charts, etc. into words · Write exam answers · Practice with multiple choice questions · Write paragraphs, beginnings and endings · Write lists (a,b,c,1,2,3,4) · Arrange words into hierarchies and points

8. KINESTHETIC LEARNING STYLE Kinesthetic learners learn best through a hands-on approach. Sometimes, it can be difficult for individuals with this learning preference to sit still for long periods. Kinesthetic learners can become distracted by their need for movement and activity.   Learning strategies:   · Skim through reading material first to understand the theme or main idea · Move around as you read aloud or study; walk and read; work in a standing position · Record notes and listen to them while exercising . Take frequent study breaks · Listen to music while studying · Sit in the front of the classroom · Stay actively engaged in class: take notes, write key points, draw charts · Create hands-on learning when possible: o Use models, extra lab time · Create cards for processes: o Color code like information o Limit information: use key words o Arrange in order; shuffle and repeat · Type over notes from text and class · Create spreadsheets, tables, charts to organize material.

9. DATA for example Who?:  I surveyed 10 students to learn what their learning style was and how technology helps them. I surveyed students because I wanted to learn more about how technology influences different learning styles. I asked university students because I felt that at this point they would have an understanding of their own learning style and would feel comfortable with technology. I asked two multiple choice questions and one short answer question. I asked: "What best describes your learning style?", "Does technology help or hinder your learning style?", and "Why?".  How?:  To collect my data, I created a Google Forums with the previous mentioned questions. I sent this survey through email to 10 of my friends that are university students.  Data:  I decided to only include the three main learning styles. 

10. MY PERSONAL OPINION However, since starting teaching ‘properly’ this term I have found a few things. 1.) AUDITORY: Quite apart from any other theories a range of ‘teaching approaches’ creates more novelty in the classroom and more likely to jolt a memory response from learners. i.e. I played ‘Miami’ as my AS level class walked in last week as we were learning about pressures on the Florida Coast. The following lesson they asked me if I could find a song for every case study to help them remember. This was regardless of them being auditory learners. Its just a more novel/ memorable moment in their day. 2.) VISUAL: My preference for visual information isn’t all that unusual. I have found that most people find say, a mind map, a useful way of grappling with information and sorting information in their minds, regardless of a VAK preference. 3.) KINAESTHETIC: My year 7 form had to fill in a questionnaire of what VAK learner they are so that the school can make this info available to teachers (it may be my school is a little behind the times). Anyway, almost all kids were a pretty even spread across all three. And in fact more had a kinesthetic bias. When I asked why this was they said responses along the lines of “it's more fun”, “we don’t often get to do stuff like that very often”. Again, possibly quite apart from them being better at learning that way, it may be the novelty. So anyway….I think I agree with you!

11. LEARNING STYLES' IMPLICATIONS TO LEARNING AND TEACHING Something has not been learned, then it has not been taught. Educators have taken ownership of the process and, in today's world, they accept that their teaching has not reached its objective, and they have not met their obligation, if all students have not learned the material at hand. This approach to teaching and learning has forced educators to focus on how individual students learn.   Educators normally refer to fundamental learning styles as auditory, visual, and tactile.   Auditory instruction is by far the weakest in terms of reaching teaching-learning objectives. Visual perception is an essential component of the learning process for most people.   Learning styles are an important consideration to any teacher who is determined to succeed.

12. SUGGESTIONS visual Use maps, flow charts, or webs to organize materials Highlight and color code books/notes to organize and relate material Have students pick out key words and ideas in their own writing and highlight them in different colors to clearly reveal organizational patterns Write out checklists of needed formulas, commonly misspelled words, etc. Write out and use flash cards for review of material Draw pictures or cartoons of concepts Write down material on slips of paper and move them around into proper sequence. (Can be done on PC too) Use the chalkboard (them and you) to note important information If using the computer, have the student experiment with different font sizes and styles to enhance readability.   Auditory Engage the student in conversation about the subject matter Question students about the material Ask for oral summaries of material Have them tape lectures and review them with you Have them tape themselves reviewing material and listen to it together Read material aloud to them Use a talking calculator Have them put material to a rhythm or tune and rehearse it aloud   Kinesthetic or Tactile Write out checklists of materials to be learned or looked for Trace words and diagrams on paper Use textured paper and experiment with different sizes of pens, pencils, and crayons to write down information Use role play or dramatize concepts. Students can move objects around to dramatize a concept or act out the concept themselves. Ask the student to envision a scene in which the material to be learned is being used or acted out somehow.  For example: a student could imagine being a character in a novel. Have the student take notes (on paper, word processor, in textbooks) while reading or listening. Use some form of body movement (snapping fingers, pacing, mouthing ideas) while reciting material to be learned.

13. CONCLUSION      I feel that I learned a lot about the different learning styles. I knew the three basic learning styles, but I was surprised to learn that the learning styles can be broken down into more styles than the three basic. I also learned that knowing your learning style can help guide you to what teaching style would be most suitable. I was surprised by some of my findings. I was expecting for most people to be visual learners but I did not expect it to be close between technologies being helpful or a hinderment to the different learning styles. I thought that overall visual learners would feel that technology is helpful but there were some that did not feel technology is helpful to them.     In conclusion to what I learned from my research, technology should be a part of the classroom. Technology can help students of learning styles such as visual learning and can benefit creating personalized learning. However, technology needs to be utilized and adapted in a way that will be beneficial to all students because technology is not as helpful to some learning styles such as auditory learning.