Learning Styles Module

Introduction

Are you an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner?  Is the way you demonstrate your intelligence best expressed through Visual/Spatial, Verbal/Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Bodily/Kinesthetic, Musical/Rhythmic, Interpersonal or Intrapersonal Intelligence. In this module you will explore your preferred way of learning. You will also find out how to apply it when your professor's teaching style is different from your preferred learning style.
 

Objectives

Students will:

• Identify your learning style.
• Learn strategies to maximize your learning strengths in the college environment.

Lecture Materials

This module will help you gain a better understanding of yourself as a learner.  Learning style can be most simply be defined as the way you prefer to learn or process information.  Each style has strengths and weaknesses.  There is not one style that is right and one that is wrong for the online learning environment.  One goal of this module is to help you identify your style and develop strategies that will lead to effective learning techniques both online and on campus.

• Some learning style theorists divide learning styles into three broad categories: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
  • Auditory learners like to hear what is going on. These learners quickly pick up concepts from lectures.  When auditory learners solve problems, they tend to talk them out so they can hear what they are thinking.
  • Visual learners like to see or make pictures of concepts. They might draw a diagram of a concept or make a table of important points during the learning process.
  • Kinesthetic learners need to do things physically to understand concepts. They may build a model, physically simulate the problem or use their hands to do something with a problem. 

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• Howard Gardner conceived of seven different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability.
  • Visual/Spatial Intelligence is the ability to perceive the visual. These learners tend to think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information. They enjoy looking at maps, charts, pictures, videos, and movies.
  • Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence is the ability to use words and language. These learners have highly developed auditory skills and are generally elegant speakers. They think in words rather than pictures.
  • Logical/Mathematical Intelligence is the ability to use reason, logic and numbers. These learners think conceptually in logical and numerical patterns making connections between pieces of information. Always curious about the world around them, these learner ask lots of questions and like to do experiments.
  • Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence is the ability to control body movements and handle objects skillfully. These learners express themselves through movement. They have a good sense of balance and eye-hand co-ordination. (e.g. ball play, balancing beams). Through interacting with the space around them, they are able to remember and process information.
  • Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence is the ability to produce and appreciate music. These musically inclined learners think in sounds, rhythms and patterns. They immediately respond to music either appreciating or criticizing what they hear. Many of these learners are extremely sensitive to environmental sounds (e.g. crickets, bells, dripping faucets).
  • Interpersonal Intelligence is the ability to relate and understand others. These learners try to see things from other people's point of view in order to understand how they think and feel. They often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions and motivations. They are great organizers, although they sometimes resort to manipulation. Generally they try to maintain peace in group settings and encourage co-operation. They use both verbal (e.g. speaking) and non-verbal language (e.g. eye contact, body language)  to open communication channels with others.
  • Intrapersonal Intelligence is the ability to self-reflect and be aware of one's inner state of being. These learners try to understand their inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, and strengths and weaknesses.

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• The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality test used for many things in addition to learning style assessment.  Here are the dimensions used by the MBTI to describe individual preferences. 

  E Extraversion People who prefer Extraversion tend to focus on the outer world of people and things.	I Introversion People who prefer Introversion tend to focus on the inner world of ideas and impressions.
  S Sensing People who prefer Sensing tend to focus on the present and on concrete information gained from their senses.	N iNtuition People who prefer Intuition tend to focus on the future, with a view toward patterns and possibilities.
  T Thinking People who prefer Thinking tend to base their decisions on logic and on objective analysis of cause and effect.	F Feeling People who prefer Feeling tend to base their decisions primarily on values and on subjective evaluation of person-centered concerns.
  J Judging People who prefer Judging tend to like a planned and organized approach to life and prefer to have things settled.	P Perceiving People who prefer Perceiving tend to like a flexible and spontaneous approach to life and prefer to keep their options open.

People use different styles in different situations and combinations.  As you read through this lecture, circle those styles that seem to be best for you.

There are many learning style theories and websites. Feel free to explore other inventories beside the one at OASIS to get a better understanding of your best way to learn.  Many learning style theorists would say that college requires you to identify the most natural way for you to learn and use strategies that apply to those preferences.  To be the best learner you can be, it is good to develop your non-preferred ways of learning, because some teachers will require that you learn in the way that they best teach.  As students you will be asked to fit into the teaching styles of your professors. Although, some professors try to teach to all learning styles. 

Step 1 - Read the lecture and enough of the Related Websites to get a good sense of your learning style.

Step 2 - Take the OASIS Learning Style Inventory.

Step 3 - Answer all questions on the discussion board and respond to at least two other messages.

Step 4 - Submit your Learning Styles Assignment to the Assignment Drop.

Related Web Sites

Learning Styles Resource Page 
Learning Styles & Teaching Styles 
Index of Learning Styles 
Annotated Resource List for Learning Styles & Multiple Intelligences 
VARK Learning Styles Inventory
Paragon Learning Styles Inventory

MBTI Website - be careful - some of these are fee based.  The MBTI is not available online for free. However, you can find some "knock offs." 

Personality Types

Connecting Type with Careers

HumanMetrics

Keirsey Temperament and Character Web Site

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is available at KnowYourType.com

Personality Type

Typefocus personality type applications-career development-succession planning

Typelogic

Assignments Summary

Use the Table of Contents button to go to all supplemental materials for each module.