L is for Learning Styles
What are learning styles?
Learning styles are different ways that students make sense of sensory input. The most basic theory is that there are three types of learners: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Auditory learners process information through their auditory senses. They learn best through hearing information, perhaps discussion and lecture. Visual learners need to see the information, so they learn best through diagrams, pictures, and conceptual maps. Kinesthetic learners need to move and feel what they are learning. They learn best through hand on activities and with movement built into the instruction. There are many different theories and classification systems built around the idea that there are multiple ways to learn and multiple ways to have intelligence. See the links at the bottom of the page for more information on specific theories.
Learning styles are different ways that students make sense of sensory input. The most basic theory is that there are three types of learners: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Auditory learners process information through their auditory senses. They learn best through hearing information, perhaps discussion and lecture. Visual learners need to see the information, so they learn best through diagrams, pictures, and conceptual maps. Kinesthetic learners need to move and feel what they are learning. They learn best through hand on activities and with movement built into the instruction. There are many different theories and classification systems built around the idea that there are multiple ways to learn and multiple ways to have intelligence. See the links at the bottom of the page for more information on specific theories.
How can learning styles be used in planning and classroom instruction?
Teachers should be aware of the ways their students learn because it can aid with planning and creating small groups. It may be helpful to do a basic survey with the kids about their learning styles at the beginning of the year so that you are aware of how they learn. When creating differentiated assignments, it would be useful to create an assignment based on auditory learners, one on visual learners, and one on kinesthetic learnings. However, just because you create an assignment for that particular intelligence does not mean a student will select that assignment! Sometimes it is also important for us to test our boundaries and work on skills in areas other than our natural strengths. It is important for you to be aware as a teacher that there are multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning, and all methods are valid. In your instruction, plan activities that will appeal to a variety of learning styles. This keeps your lessons fresh and engaging because they are not always the same method of delivery.
Teachers should be aware of the ways their students learn because it can aid with planning and creating small groups. It may be helpful to do a basic survey with the kids about their learning styles at the beginning of the year so that you are aware of how they learn. When creating differentiated assignments, it would be useful to create an assignment based on auditory learners, one on visual learners, and one on kinesthetic learnings. However, just because you create an assignment for that particular intelligence does not mean a student will select that assignment! Sometimes it is also important for us to test our boundaries and work on skills in areas other than our natural strengths. It is important for you to be aware as a teacher that there are multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning, and all methods are valid. In your instruction, plan activities that will appeal to a variety of learning styles. This keeps your lessons fresh and engaging because they are not always the same method of delivery.
How can knowing their learning style help with my student's learning?
If you do a learning styles inventory quiz, don't keep the results to yourself! It's not a secret! I have used learning styles inventories with middle years students from grades 6-9. Knowing their own strengths can help students with their learning because they become aware of what works for them, how they should study, which techniques will help their brain, and how they are different from others. It also helps with acceptance of other student's strengths and weaknesses. Some kids are better at tests, others are better at projects, visual representations, or labs. Being aware of our own strengths and weaknesses can help us to enhance our own learning by playing to our strengths when we need to, and improving on our weaknesses when we have an opportunity to do so in a safe environment.
If you do a learning styles inventory quiz, don't keep the results to yourself! It's not a secret! I have used learning styles inventories with middle years students from grades 6-9. Knowing their own strengths can help students with their learning because they become aware of what works for them, how they should study, which techniques will help their brain, and how they are different from others. It also helps with acceptance of other student's strengths and weaknesses. Some kids are better at tests, others are better at projects, visual representations, or labs. Being aware of our own strengths and weaknesses can help us to enhance our own learning by playing to our strengths when we need to, and improving on our weaknesses when we have an opportunity to do so in a safe environment.
Where can I find more information?
Go to the following webpages for more information and to find inventory quizzes to do with your students or for your own use:
Go to the following webpages for more information and to find inventory quizzes to do with your students or for your own use:
- Based on Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory - http://www.mypersonality.info/multiple-intelligences/
- Basic 20 question quiz for students - http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml
- Visual/Auditory/Kinesthetic - http://www.howtolearn.com/learning-styles-quiz/
- VARK Questionnaire (adds read and write) - http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/
- A basic internet search for learning styles quiz will net you a plethora of useful sites and varying theories that all have merit depending on your purpose.