What are learning s tyles ?

1. What are learning styles? • Information enters your brain through three methods: sight, hearing, and touch. The one which you use the most is called your learning style. • Visual Learnerslearn by sight • Auditory Learnerslearn by hearing • Tactile Learners (kinesthetic) learn by touch

2. Visual Learners • Prefer to see information such as pictures, diagrams, cartoons, or demonstrations • Picture words and concepts that they hear as images • Might get easily distracted during a lecture with no visual aids • Could become overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied by lecture • Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash cards when studying

3. Auditory Learners • Prefer to hear information spoken • Can absorb a lecture with little effort • May not need detailed notes to learn • Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate • May read aloud to themselves • Like background music when they study

4. Tactile or Kinesthetic Learners • Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in information • In traditional lecture situations, they should write out important facts • Create study sheets connected to vivid examples • Role-playing might help them learn and remember important ideas

5. Learning Styles and Teaching • Remember to use a variety of learning modalities when planning lessons. Hear it! See it! Touch it!

6. Teaching Strategies

7. Visual Learners Draw pictures to represent ideas, paintGames: matching, puzzlesVisual cues to rememberHave a “being there” experienceField tripVisualization and imagineGraphicsFlowchartsVideosCreateModelsDescribe in detailColor, lines, and shapesCreative designsSculpturesGraphic organizersArt mediaDisplaysPostersChartsBrochuresPictures and illustrationsCartoons and caricaturesColor-coding

8. Auditory Learners • Play word games for vocabularyExplain ideasTell jokes, riddles, and limericksTrivia gamesWriteReport - oral and writtenExplainDescribe and discussInterviewsLabelGive and follow directionsRetellEssaysAudio recordingsSpeechesDebatesResearch ProjectsQuizzes and testsLogs, journals, diariesQuestions and answers

9. Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners • Opportunities to move and handle materialsTrace and highlightAct out concepts and stories role playingModelsExperimentsWrite or draw while listeningWalk while thinkingUse hands and arms for expression Imagine themselves in a situationSimulate Dance or mimePerformCreate, construct, or developGestures or actions to support learningManipulativesInventionsSports participationDemonstrating using physical movementExercisesHands-on experiencesSimulations / Role-playingField tripsMovement routines

10. What is your dominant learning style? • Complete the Learning Styles Inventory. • Are you surprised by the results? • How will this information assist you with planning instructional activities for students?