Learning Styles

BRIEF SUMMARY

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KEY POINTS

• Visual learners like to see information through graphs, charts, pictures, etc. They tend to remember information better when they are watching a lecture and they remember information better when they write it down.
• Auditory learners retain information best through hearing and speaking. They also prefer to be told how to do things and then summarize the main points out loud to help with memorization.
• Kinesthetic learners learn best by taking a hands-on-approach to learning. They prefer group work and would rather demonstrate how to do something than verbally explain it to others.
• Visual learners turn notes into pictures, charts, or maps; avoid distractions; color code parts of new concepts in their notes. 
• Auditory learners read textbooks and material out loud, sometimes in their own words; discuss materials in study groups; listen to wordless background music while studying. 
• Kinesthetic learners learn new material while being active (i.e. read a textbook while on a treadmill); work while standing; take study breaks often.

SHARED WISDOM

• What I have learned: An individual can have a preferred type of learning style, however, they aren’t necessarily limited to one type of learning style.  Some individuals may have a predominant learning style, but may learn concepts in other ways, just maybe not as easily as their preferred learning style. A learning style should not be defined as an absolute.  Do not place too much faith in any one learning style theory, especially since individuals can change learning styles as they grow up.  Practice studying and taking in new information from all three learning styles.  Determine which learning styles helps you study best.  Remember you can have any variation of learning styles (i.e. one might really fit you or aspects of multiple learning styles might suit you best.)

RESOURCES

• Bepko Learning Center – 3 Learning Styles
  http://blc.uc.iupui.edu/academic-enrichment/study-skills/learning-styles/3-learning-styles
• Education.com – Different Learning Styles in Education
  http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Teaching_Tips/
• The Journey to Excellence – Learning Styles
  http://www.journeytoexcellence.org.uk/resourcesandcpd/research/summaries/rslearningstyles.asp
• About.com – The Three Different Learning Styles
  http://testprep.about.com/od/tipsfortesting/a/Different_Learning_Styles.htm
• Learning Styles: Three Ways to Process Information
  http://elementary-science-software-review.toptenreviews.com/learning-styles-three-ways-to-process-information.html
• Education Planner – What’s Your Learning Style (20 Question Test)
  http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml
• Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (VAK) learning style model – JCU
  http://www.jcu.edu.au/wiledpack/modules/fsl/JCU_090460.html

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