Download - Learning Styles Worksheet
LEARNING STYLES
Have you ever tried to explain an idea to your classmates, only to find that they were unable to understand what you thought was straightforward? What do you think causes this or why do you think something like that happens?
Write your response in the lines below:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________People have different styles or ways of learning. But what does the term learning style mean?
Learning styles have no basis on how intelligent you are.Your learning style has to do with how your brain works most efficiently to learn new information.There is no good or bad learning style, no right or wrong.
By being aware of your learning style, you will learn more effectively.
Everyone has an extra ordinary capacity to learn in many different ways.
To understand what a learning style is, just think of how you prefer to learn new things. Do you soak up new information through pictures, sounds or in some physical way through your feelings or touch? The answer to this question will tell you what your preferred learning style is.TYPES OF LEARNING STYLESAt the end of this section you should be able to:
understand the different types of learning styles.
identify your learning style
There are three fundamental styles of learning:
1. VISUAL LEARNING STYLE
Characteristics of visual learners Visual learners often think in pictures and learn best through seeing.
They prefer displays of information such as graphs, pictures, diagrams, videos, flipcharts e.t.c
These types of learners enjoy taking down detailed notes as it assists them to understand information.
Are good at faces but forgets names
Prefer to take detailed notes
Need quiet time to study
Usually are good spellers
Like to read
Memorise by seeing
Often close eyes to recall information or spelling
Notice details
Observe rather than talk or act
Like colours and diagrams
Mind may stray during verbal activities
Study methods suitable for visual learners
Take notes and summarise material
Use cue words
Use highlighters and coloured pens to summarise
Make mind maps
Use the computer to organize materials and to create graphs, tables, spreadsheets e.t.c.
2. AUDITORY LEARNERS
Characteristics of auditory learners
Auditory learners learn best through listening, i.e. through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say.
For auditory learners written information may have little meaning until it is heard, so they may choose to tape lectures or read text out aloud.
Are not afraid to talk or speak in class
Are easily distracted
Hum or sing, tend to enjoy music
Like oral reports
Like to be read to
Are good at explaining
Easily remember names
Read slowly
Follow spoken directions well
Cant keep quiet for long periods
Study methods suitable for auditory learners
Watch videos
Repeat facts with eyes closed
Participate in group discussions
Record notes after writing them
Tell others what they have learned
Make up rhymes to recall information
Repeat things orally
Make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names, e.t.c
Use word association to remember facts, dates, names etc.
3. TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS
Characteristics of tactile/ kinesthetic learners
Tactile learners learn best through touching, moving and doing.
They have a hands-on approach to learning.
They have a constant need to explore and may find it difficult to sit still for long periods.
They tend to be good at sports or other physical activities such as dancing
They do not have great handwriting or spelling skills
They like to be able to do things and experiment
They tap a pencil or foot when working
They like to touch people when talking to them
They study with loud music on
They like adventure books, movies e.t.c.
May enjoy acting
Like to problem solve by physically working through problems. They enjoy handling objects
Take breaks when studying
Enjoy working with hands, such as building models
Often restless in the classrooms
Reading tends to be not a priority for them They like physical rewards
Study methods suitable for tactile/ kinesthetic learners
Study in short blocks
Role playing
Studying with others
Use memory games
Using flash cards to memorize Pick up the books as they are reading or talking
Use computers to reinforce learning Using the sense of touch
Write with fingers in the sand
Use gestures to recall information Pace while learning
Write lists repeatedly
Now that you have gained a lot of information on the different types of learning styles turn over to the next page and complete the activity in order to see how much information you can recall.No cheatingYou have 10 minutes to complete the following activity. Write your answers on the spaces provided.1. Name the three types of learning styles.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. List three characteristics of auditory learners.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Give five study methods that are suitable for tactile learners
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________4. State whether the following statements are true or false. Indicate this by putting a tick in the column you believe is the correct oneNo.StatementTrueFalse
1.Visual learners do not like colours and diagrams
2.Kinesthetic learners are also known as tactile learners
3.Auditory learners like oral reports
4.Tactile learners enjoy acting
5.Watching videos is a good study method used by auditory learners
6.Auditory learners like to be read to
7.Visual learners study effectively when they use cue words
Now assess yourself by comparing your responses with the notes on pages 2 to 6.It is time for you to find out which of the three is your learning style. To do that you have to do the following quick assessment
Read each of the statements and put a tick next to the answer that best applies to you. Tick ONE option only and be as honest as possible so you can get the true reflection. The column with the most crosses in it at the end will indicate your preferred learning style.
Statement
1When operating equipment for the first time I .read the instructionsask for an explanationhave a go and learn by trial & error
2When needing directions I look at a mapask for spoken directionsuse a compass
3When cooking I.follow a recipecall a friend for explanationfollow my instinct, tasting as I cook
4To teach someone something I write instructionsexplain verballydemonstrate and let them try
5I tend to say show metell melet me try
6I prefer these leisure activitiesmuseums or galleriesmusic or conversationphysical activities or making things
7When shopping generally I tend to. ..look and decidediscuss with shop stafftry on, handle or test
8Learning a new skillI watch what the teacher is doingI talk to the teacher and ask what I am supposed to doI work it out as I am doing it
9When listening to a bandI sing along to the lyricsI listen to the lyrics and the beatsI dance in time with the music
10When concentrating I focus on the words or pictures in front of mediscuss the problem and possible solutionsmove around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils
11I remember things best by writing notes or keeping printed detailssaying them aloud or repeating wordsdoing and practicing the activity
12When I revise for an exam, I write lots of revision notes(using lots of colours)I talk over my notes, to myself or to other peopleImagine making the movement or creating the formula
13Most of my free time is spentwatching televisiontalking to friendsdoing physical activity or making things
14I first notice how peoplelook and dresssound and speakstand and move
15If I am very angryI keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset meI shout lots and tell people how I feelI stomp about, slam doors and throw things
16I find it easiest to rememberfacesnamesthings I have done
17I think can tell someone is lying becausethey avoid looking at youtheir voice changesthe vibes I get from them
TotalsVisualAuditoryKinesthetic/Physical
Now calculate the totals for each column. The total scores for each style indicate your preferred learning style. Some people have very strong preferences and other people have more evenly balanced preferences. The point is simply to try to understand as much as you can about yourself and your learning style and then make the best use of learning or study methods which suit your style.MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Now that you have identified your learning style you need to work on it in order to maximize your learning potential. Understanding the different multiple intelligences will also help you to know yourself better.
Therefore, in this section you will learn about the different multiple intelligences and at the end of this section you should be able to do the following:
Identify your intelligence
Understand how it links to your learning style
Use that information to make informed decisions about choosing careers.
What does the word multiple intelligences mean? It is the seven different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability. This simply means your ability to think about complicated ideas and discuss them.
There are seven types of multiple intelligences
Visual/ Spatial Intelligence
Ability to perceive the visual a learner who tends to think in pictures and need to create clear mental pictures to retain information. A learner who enjoys looking at maps, charts, pictures, videos and movies.Are you this kind of learner?
Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
Ability to use words and language a learner who has highly developed auditory skills and is generally an elegant speaker. A learner who thinks in words rather than pictures.Are you this kind of learner?
Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
Ability to use reason, logic and numbers - a learner who thinks in logical and numerical patterns making connections between pieces of information. This is a learner who likes to do experiments and asks a lot of questions.
Are you this kind of learner?
Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
Ability to control body movements and handle objects skillfully a learner who expresses himself/herself through movement.
Are you this kind of learner?
Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence
Ability to produce and appreciate music a learner who thinks in sounds, rhythms and patterns. This is a learner who immediately responds to music either by appreciating or criticizing what he/she hears.Are you this kind of learner?
Interpersonal Intelligence
Ability to relate and understand others a learner who tries to see things from other peoples point of view in order to understand how they think and feel.
Are you this kind of learner?
Intrapersonal Intelligence
Ability to self-respect and be aware of ones inner state of being a learner who tries to understand his/her inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others and strengths and weaknesses.Are you this kind of learner?
Do you see the connection between the learning styles and multiples intelligences?Write your response in the lines below.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The advantage of knowing what your dominant intelligence is, is that you are provided with more than enough opportunities to develop and excel in this area
We wish you the best with your studies and we hope that when you choose your subjects in grade 10 you will choose wisely and those choices will be informed by the career you want to pursue when you complete your schooling.Call the BHP Billiton Career Centre on 011 639- 8400 for more information on this and other topics. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Mirriam Makeba and President Streets, Newtown Fax 011 832 3360 Email: [email protected] Learning styles simply refers to how you take in and process information.
They are also simply known as different ways of looking at things or approaches of learning
Important things that you need to note regarding learning styles
Research has shown that students can perform better on tests if they change study habits to fit their own personal learning styles
Your learning style may be the single most important key to improving your grades
Some students remember best materials they have seen; some remember things they have heard, while others remember things they have experienced.
So, you fall under which category?
An example: visual- learning students will sometimes struggle during essay exams because they cant recall test material that was heard in a class. However, if the visual learner uses a visual aid when studying, like a colourful outline of test materials, he or she may retain more information. For him, visual tools improve the ability to recall information more completely.
Worst Test Type
Long tests & essays
Best test type
Short definitions, fill-ins & multiple choices
Worst Test Type e.g.
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test
Best test type
Oral exams, writing responses to lessons they have heard
Worst Test Type
Listen and respond test
Best test type
Diagramming, reading maps & essays
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career interests for you are:
Navigators, sculptors, visual artists, inventors, architects, interior designers, mechanics & engineers
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career interests for you are:
Poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, translator
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career paths for you are:
Scientists, engineers, computer programmers, researchers, accountants, mathematicians
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career paths for you are:
Athletes, physical education teachers, dancers, actors, firefighters, artisans
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career paths for you are:
Musician, disc jockey, singer, composer, music teacher.
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career paths for you are:
Counselor, salesperson, politician, business person, psychologist, social worker
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career paths for you are:
Researchers, theorists, philosophers
1Learning styles