Learning Styles

Chapter 5, Cornerstone

Prof. Jane McElligott

VARK Learning Styles• Learning Style – A individual’s best way to effectively learn and remember

information. • VARK Learning Preferences: Visual Aural (Auditory) Read/Write Kinesthetic (spells VARK!)• Take the VARK Questionnaire at:

http://www.varklearn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

Visual Learners• Visual Learners are “eye smart” and learn best by seeing

information. • Learns best by viewing visual references, such as pictures

and diagrams in textbooks, posters, charts, maps, graphs, flow charts, flash cards (especially with pictures), videos, PowerPoint presentations, and demonstrations.

• Bar Charts are awesome for visual learners: http://www.barcharts.com/Products/Laminated-Reference

Visual Learners: How to Study• When writing notes, put words into pictures and symbols; for

example, π means “plaintiff” and Δ means “defendant” and (or use P and D);

• Put concepts into posters, charts, flow charts, and look for good videos on the topic;

• Highlight in different colors and underline key words as you read; • Create flash cards and include pictures to help you remember

definitions;• Check out these cool videocasts at the Federal Law Enforcement

Training Center: http://www.fletc.gov/training/programs/legal-division/videocasts

Aural (Auditory) Learners

• Aural learners are “ear smart” and learn best by hearing information;

• Learns best by hearing lectures, verbal instructions, books on tape, likes to hear stories, enjoys talking and discussing concepts with others; reads out loud.

Auditory Learners: How to Study

• Tape lectures so you can listen to them again (our seminars are archived, so you’re all set);

• Read out loud and explain what you read to a classmate, or friend and discuss/debate the topic – talk it out;

• Get involved in study groups, where you can get interesting group discussions going;

• Listen to audio presentations, such as those presented by the Writing Center;

• Listen to podcasts – check out these cool podcasts at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center: http://www.fletc.gov/training/programs/legal-division/podcasts

Read/Write Learners

• Read/write learners are “word smart” and learn best by reading and taking notes – active reading approach.

• SQ3R (Cornerstone Chapter 4, pp. 93 – 96) or PQ4R – active reading modes for the best comprehension, retention.

• See “Active Reading: Getting the Most out of Your Text”: http://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=1866&p=12596 for great tips on active reading for read/write learners.

Read/Write Learners: How to Study

• Take lots of notes in seminar and while reading; • Read your notes and rewrite them into your own words;• Turn charts, diagrams, flow charts, into your own words; • Create outlines and lists of concepts;• Look up terms in the dictionary and write the definitions

on flash cards to review;• Conduct research and find helpful articles to read for

further understanding; • It’s all about words – reading and writing them!

Kinesthetic Learners

• Kinesthetic learners are “action smart” and learn best by doing – by hands-on practice.

• Practical, real life learning approach in which an individual learns best by trying it himself or herself, using tactile senses, learning through trial and error - for example, learning how to create a PowerPoint, how to find a case on Lexis, how to drive a car with a shift.

Kinesthetic Learners: How to Study

• Hands-on exercises and practice, • Workbook exercises, online exercises such as the Rules for

Writers website exercises, and take practice exams, quizzes; • Stay actively engaged in reading and lectures by taking lots of

notes; pay special attention to real-life examples and come up with your own examples and add them to your notes;

• Move around while learning – listen to lectures, audio books on MP3 or iPod while walking or running;

• Use models, exhibits, samples to make concepts “real life”;• Keep it real, hands-on, and active!

Multimodel Learners

• Multimodel learners learn best by a mix of learning approaches – visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic.

• Learning to ride a Segway by a variety of learning approaches - hear verbal instructions (aural), watch video of how to ride (visual), and then get on and try it out (kinesthetic)!

Teaching Jurors• Just as teachers must do their best to reach students of all learning

styles, lawyers must do their best to reach jurors of all learning styles in trial through demonstrative evidence, which reaches the jurors who are visual and kinesthetic learners and who do not learn best through oral testimony. Testimony works only for auditory learners.

• See “Demonstrative Evidence: Exhibits for the Rich and the Poor”: http://www.warlawgroup.com/files/10.DemonstrativeEv.pdf

Gardner’s Eight Multiple Intelligences

• Visual-Spatial – picture smart• Verbal-Linguistic – word smart• Musical-Rhythm – music smart• Logic-Math – number smart• Body-Kinesthetic – body smart• Interpersonal – people smart• Intrapersonal – self-smart• Naturalistic – environment smart

Unit 6 Quiz Questions

1. Everyone has a strength and aptitude for some skill or task. True or False?

Answer to Question 1

• The answer is ……. True! Each of us has certain strengths and aptitudes for

skills and tasks. When it comes to the multiple intelligences, “most people are strong in two or three, weak in two or three, and average in the others.” http://daley.ccc.edu/academic/pdf/Learning%20Theories-Retention.pdf

Quiz Question #2

2. You can improve your weaker learning styles by incorporating at least one aspect of those learning styles into your daily study plans.

True or False?

Answer to Question #2

Answer: True • You can improve your weaker learning styles by incorporating at least

one aspect of those learning styles into your studying. For example, if you’re a Visual Learner, listen to a Podcast on the topic you’re learning, even if it means you have to draw pictures or symbols as you go along; this will strengthen your auditory learning skills through practice. If you’re weak on kinesthetic learning, try to add in more hands-on practice and exercises.

• You might have a teacher or boss who doesn’t match up with your strongest learning style, but if you practice being able to learn by all teaching modes, you’ll be set. “You must find ways to get the message despite the messenger” (Cornerstone, Ch. 5, p. 107).

Question #3

3. A person with a prominent ____________intelligence should probably study outsidewhenever possible. • Intrapersonal• Body/kinesthetic • Naturalistic• Musical/rhythm

Answer to Question #3

Answer is Naturalistic A person strong in the naturalistic multiple

intelligence loves nature, the environment, animals, so a naturalistic person would enjoy studying outside and would benefit from it.

Question #4

4. Suggestions for improving study skills for introverts include:

• Get involved in a study group from time to time.• Share your opinions and advice with others more

often.• Instead of writing responses or questions, speak

aloud to friends and peers.• All of the above.

Answer to Question #4

Answer: All of the aboveIntroverts should work on gaining some extrovert

skills by getting involved in a study group; sharing opinions and advice with others; discussing and debating the issues with classmates, friends; and speaking out loud instead of writing responses and studying all on their own. (Cornerstone, Chapter 5, p. 120)

Question #55. Strategies for making the most of your learning style,personality type, and dominant intelligence include:• Do not worry about your weaker learning styles; they will align

themselves eventually.• Strengthen your dominant intelligences by involving yourself in

activities that cause you to use them.• Try to have only instructors whose teaching styles match your

learning style.• Strengthen your less dominant intelligences by involving yourself in

activities that cause you to use them, and adjust your learning style to match your instructor's teaching style if possible.

Answer to Question #5

Answer: Strengthen your less dominant intelligences by involving yourself in activities that cause you to use them, and adjust your learning style to match your instructor's teaching style if possible.

Ben’s Words of Wisdom