is good at: memorizing names, places, dates
and trivia.
learns best by: saying, hearing and seeing
words.
Logical/mathematical learner
likes to do experiments, figure things out,
work with numbers, ask questions and explore patterns and relationships
is good at math, reasoning, logic and problem
solving
learns best by categorizing, classifying and
working with abstract patterns/relationships.
Spatial learner
likes to draw, build, design and create
things, daydream, look at pictures/slides, watch movies and play with
machines
is good at imagining things, sensing changes,
mazes/puzzles and reading maps, charts
learns best by visualizing, dreaming, using
the mind's eye and working with colours/pictures.
Musical learner
likes to sing, hum tunes, listen to music,
play an instrument and respond to music
is good at picking up sounds, remembering
melodies, noticing pitches/rhythms and keeping time
learns best by rhythm, melody and music.
Bodily/Kinesthetic learner
likes to move around, touch and talk and use
body language
is good at physical activities
(sports/dance/acting) and crafts
learns best by touching, moving, interacting
with space and processing knowledge through bodily sensations.
Interpersonal learner
likes to have lots of friends, talk to people
and join groups
is good at understanding people, leading
others, organizing, communicating, manipulating and mediating conflicts
learns best by sharing, comparing, relating,
cooperating and interviewing.
Intrapersonal learner
likes to work alone and pursue own interests
is good at understanding self, focusing inward
on feelings/dreams, following instincts, pursuing interests/goals and being
original
learns best by working alone, individualized
projects, self-paced instruction and having own space.
Identifying your learning style
Everybody has a preferred learning style. Knowing
and understanding our learning style helps us to learn more effectively. Through
identifying your learning style, you will be able to capitalize on your
strengths and improve your self-advocacy skills.
Here is a way to help you get started:
Directions: Place
a check in all the boxes that describe you.
The list with the greatest number of checks is your dominant learning style.
List 1
Tactile/Kinaesthetic learning
reaches
out to touch things
collects
things
talks
fast using hands to communicate what they want to say
constantly
fidgeting (e.g. tapping pen, playing with keys in pocket)
good
at sports
takes
things apart, puts things together
prefers
to stand while working
likes
to have music in the background while working
enjoys
working with hands and making things
likes
to chew gum or eat in class
learns
through movement and exploring the environment around them
may
be considered hyperactive
good
at finding their way around
comfortable
touching others as a show of friendship (e.g. hugging)
prefers
to do things rather than watching a demonstration or reading about it in a
book
List 2
Visual learning
asks
for verbal instructions to be repeated
watches
speakers' facial expressions and body language
likes
to take notes to review later
remembers
best by writing things down several times or drawing pictures and diagrams
good
speller
turns
the radio or TV up really loud
gets
lost with verbal directions
Prefers
information to be presented visually, (e.g. flipcharts or chalk board)
skilful
at making graphs, charts, and other visual displays
can
understand and follow directions on maps
feels
the best way to to remember something is to picture it in their head
follows
written instructions better than oral ones
good
at solving jigsaw puzzles
gets
the words to a song wrong
good
at the visual arts
List 3
Auditory Learning
follows
oral directions better than written ones
would
rather listen to a lecture than read the material in a textbook
understands
better when reads aloud
struggles
to keep notebooks neat
prefers
to listen to the radio than to read a newspaper
frequently
sings, hums or whistles to themselves.
dislikes
reading from a computer screen especially when the backgrounds are fussy
when
presented with two similar sounds, can tell if sounds are the same or
different
requires
explanations of diagrams, graphs, or maps
enjoys
talking to others
talks
to self
uses
musical jingles to learn things
would
rather listen to music than view a piece of art work
uses
finger as a pointer when reading
likes
to tell jokes, stories and makes verbal analogies to demonstrate a point
Visual learners:
use visual materials such as pictures, charts,
maps, graphs, etc.
have a clear view of your teachers when they
are speaking so you can see their body language and facial expression
use colour to highlight important points in
text
take notes or ask your teacher to provide
handouts
illustrate your ideas as a picture or
brainstorming bubble before writing them down
write a story and illustrate it
use multi-media (e.g. computers, videos, and
filmstrips)
study in a quiet place away from verbal
disturbances
read illustrated books
visualize information as a picture to aid
memorization
Auditory learners:
participate in class discussions/debates
make speeches and presentations
use a tape recorder during lectures instead of
taking notes
read text out aloud
create musical jingles to aid memorization
create mnemonics to aid memorization
discuss your ideas verbally
dictate to someone while they write down your
thoughts
use verbal analogies, and story telling to
demonstrate your point
Tactile/Kinaesthetic learners:
take frequent study breaks
move around to learn new things (e.g. read
while on an exercise bike, mould a piece of clay to learn a new concept)
work at a standing position
chew gum while studying
use bright colours to highlight reading
material
dress up your work space with posters
if you wish, listen to music while you study
skim through reading material to get a rough
idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.
