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.


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.


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


Athletes, physical education teachers, dancers, actors, firefighters, artisans


Musician, disc jockey, singer, composer, music teacher.


Counselor, salesperson, politician, business person, psychologist, social worker


Researchers, theorists, philosophers

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learning styles worksheet

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