What’s Your Learning Style: How Do You Learn Best?

Have you ever been in a class where all the teacher does the entire period is talk or lecture? Isn’t that awful?! Not for some…

Don’t you hate it when it’s lab day in science class and you have to play with beakers and Bunsen burners? Not for some…

Isn’t it awful when the teacher doesn’t write notes on the board, only draws silly pictures all over the place? Not for some…

What’s that mean??

No two students learn the same way – students have different learning styles! What’s good for one student may be awful for the next.
There are many different categories of learning styles and many different learning style inventories that you can take to find out what kind of learner you are.
Here is a basic summary of three basic learning styles and a brief overview for what it means to you the learner.

Auditory learner

A student with an auditory learning style learns best when information is presented verbally. In a classroom setting, this type of student likes when the teachers lecture as that is how new information is processed the easiest. Recording a lecture then listening to it later on CD or iPod is helpful for recollection.

Tips

• Rewrite notes the same day you heard them
• Organize notes by highlighting and repeating aloud three times
• Record lessons and listen to them while you exercise
• Talk through math problems out loud someone else

Kinesthetic

A student with a kinesthetic learning style learns best when there are hands on activities – learning by doing. In a classroom setting, this type of student likes when teachers gives opportunities to create things… models, skits, constructing or manipulating something tangible. Field trips are helpful as the student can experience and be part the learning.

Tips

• Study small chucks of information at a time
• Take frequent breaks and move around
• Try to create a body motion that represents a concept
• Walk around while studying notes or flash cards

Visual

A student with a visual learning style learns best when information is presented in an organized and systematic way. In a classroom setting, students with a visual learning style prefer outlines, bullet points and examples with a visual organizer. Creating mental pictures help students learn better.

Tips

• Use colored pens/highlighters to sequence different steps or strategies
• Draw a picture to represent a concept
• Create mnemonics to help recall difficult or lengthy material
• Create Venn Diagrams to represent concepts

Knowing your learning style and understanding what kind of learner you are is essential. If your teacher doesn’t use teaching methods to suit your specific learning style, you now have the knowledge to adjust the lesson to meet your specific needs!