Learning Styles

Learning styles

http://od.msue.msu.edu/uploads/files/PD/Learning_Styles.pdf Links to an external site.

Link Links to an external site.

Source: http://vudat.msu.edu/teach/teaching_styles Links to an external site. (broken link)

There are differences in how people process information and learn. Student-centered teaching focuses on teaching for understanding rather than covering the curriculum. Student-centered teachers create learning environments (in the classroom or online) which encourage learners to examine their current beliefs, enable them to explore and be exposed to new ways of thinking, and include experiences which require them to re-formulate their understanding. Instructors and designers of learning experiences should have an awareness of the diversity of learning styles which allow them to include features that appeal to different kinds of learners and help students get the most out of their learning experience. This approach need not be taken to the extreme, but often small modifications to a basic design can dramatically expand its utility for different learning styles. Instruction which focuses on development of the "whole brain", including intuition, sensing, imagination as well as analysis, reason and sequential problem solving, will reach a greater portion of students with various learning styles.

 

Learning Style	Characteristics of students	Strategies for instructors
Active	"Let's try it"; sitting through lectures is difficult; likes to work in groups	Discussions, problem-solving activities; students retain information better when doing something with it
Reflective	"Let's think about it"; likes to work alone; lectures are difficult if not given time to 'digest' the information	Provide time to think about the material, not just read & memorize;  write summaries, devise questions and possible applications of the content
Sensing	Likes learning facts and using established methods, dislikes surprises; difficulty with abstract, theoretical material; good with details, memorizing fact and hands-on work	Establish connection from material to the real world with examples of concepts and procedures, practical applications
Intuitive	Discovers possibilities & relationships; likes innovation, good at grasping new concepts; works quickly	Interpretations and theories which connect facts will help in learning; provide time to read questions thoroughly and recheck results
Visual	Learns best from what is seen; a large percentage of the population are visual learners	Incorporate meaningful pictures, diagrams, charts, timelines, video, demonstrations whenever possible; concept maps are good for listing key points and demonstrating relationships and can be color-coded
Verbal	Learns best from the use of words	Summarize or outline content verbally so that students can transcribe in their own words; working through ideas in groups can also be effective
Sequential	Learn best in logical steps; linear format	Break material down into smaller logical chunks; give overviews of material before getting into the content specifically
Global	Digests material in leaps and bounds; tends to look at the big picture and tries to make connections to prior knowledge	Provide overviews of material before getting into specifics; show how topics are related to other relevant course material or knowledge students may have from previous experiences

Information for chart from: http://www.uncw.edu/cte/soloman_felder.htm Links to an external site. (broken link)

Another way to look at learning styles is to consider the more physical approach students may take to learning.

Dominant Learning Styles

	Characteristic	Learn by	Usually enjoy	Instructors should use for emphasis	Instructor should use for reinforcement	Action words
Visual (about 65% of the population)	Visual learners need to see what they are learning	Watching	Reading	Charts, bold colors/patterns, outlines	Writing notes, concept maps, graphics	See, look, draw
Auditory (about 30% of the population)	Auditory learners need to hear when they are learning	Listening	Discussing	Key ideas through voice inflections, tones	Speaking aloud	Hear, say, speak
Kinesthetic (about 5% of the population)	Kinesthetic learners need to move around while learning	Doing	Being physically involved	Analogies, anecdotes,  examples	Writing on flip charts and simulating tasks	Feel, do, demonstrate

Find out your dominant learning style: http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm Links to an external site.

Multiple intelligence's

When designing an educational experience, Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory can be employed by making a conscious effort to include activities that incorporate various abilities or "ways of knowing". Traditionally, instructional methods tend to favor verbal-linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence's, and don't focus on the arts, self-awareness, communication and physical education. By employing role playing, musical performance, cooperative learning, reflection, visualization, story telling, etc. as well as assessment methods that account for the diversity of intelligence's, the learning experience can be richer for all students.

 

Type of Learner	Likes to	Is Good At	Is Best At
Verbal/ Linguistic -- the ability to use words and language Word Player	Read Write Tell Stories	Memorizing Names, places, trivia, dates	Saying, hearing and seeing words
Logical/ Mathematical --The capacity for inductive and deductive thinking and reasoning, as well as the use of numbers and the recognition of abstract patterns Questioner	Experiments Works with numbers Explores patterns	Math, logic, reasoning, & problem solving	Categorizing, classifying, & working with abstract patterns
Visual/Spatial --the ability to visualize objects and spatial dimensions and create internal images and pictures Visualizer	Draw, build, design Create Watch Movies Play with machines	Imagination Sensing Changes Mazes & Puzzles Map reading	Visualizing Dreaming Working with pictures
Musical/Rhythmic --The ability to recognize tonal patterns and sounds, as well as a sensitivity to rhythms and beats Music Lover	Sing, hum Play instruments Listen to music Respond to music	Picking up sounds Noticing rhythms Keeping time Melodies	Rhythm Melody Music
Body/Kinesthetic --The wisdom of the body and the ability to control physical motion Mover	Move around Touch and talk Use body language	Physical activities	Moving around Interacting with space Touching
Interpersonal --The capacity for person-to-person communications and relationships Socializer	Lots of friends Talk to people Join groups	Understanding people Leading others Organizing Communicating	Sharing Comparing Cooperating Interviewing
Interpersonal --The spiritual, inner states of being, self-reflection, and awareness Individual	Work along Pursue own interests	Understanding self Following instincts Originality Pursuing goals	Working alone Self-paced instruction Individual projects Having own space