learning styles

29 Nov learning styles

I see so I know. I hear so I know. I feel so I know or, how to teach so that all know.

I have already mentioned here [link]the importance of individualization of teaching However, to apply it, we have to pay attention to a few crucial aspects. Undoubtedly, one of them is different styles of learning.

Recognizing individual predispositions isn`t a task only for teachers, but also for students, since everyone should know their style so as to use it functionally.

But – first things first.

Our brain forms one whole, which is consists of two different hemispheres Different – because they are resposibile for distinct areas.

Everyone uses both hemispheres, but some have better-developed skills that one of the hemispheres is responsible for. However, we should make sure both of them are engaged because it helps us improve the processes of memorization and learning.

Each of us will do it in a different way. One will create a drawing full of details, shapes and colours; another will listen to a lecture and repeat the information aloud; yet another won’t remember if he doesn’t experience something , doesn`t touch, doesn`t try it on his own.

None of these styles of learning are better nor worse. Everyone is simply different and it results from individual aptitudes.

In a class, we will probably encounter visual, auditoryand kinesthetic learners.

The first one will eagerly grab colored markers and draw up a chart, a table or a helpful sketch. He absorbs messages from maps, diagrams or multimedia visualizations. He will take in the picture, not the sound. Whatever the teacher says, the visual person adds it to his associations and remembers what he sees. Music will not disturb him, but noise, movement or mess will definitely distract him. Visual learners should work in a neatly organized room, and all unnecessary items that could break their attention should be removed. The student who prefers this style of learning will read beautifully and quickly; he will spell correctly and will be happy to write, but he will not do well in auditory exercises or drawing conclusions from a lecture not supported by any visualization.

An auditory learneris much different. For them, a lecture is one of the favorite forms of acquiring knowledge. He will remember what is being said to him, but he will also repeat the new information aloud himself. He will be willing to engage in a discussion, listen to an exchange of views or information, or take part in a debate. His weaker points will be spelling and writing; however, this will not prevent him from learning foreign languages – it is usually easy for him. Auditory learners – more sensitive to sounds than others – will not like noise and will not focus while music is being played. However, total silence will not affect them well, either, because they will feel distracted; such students need to speak and want to be talked to.

A kinesthetic learner, i.e. an individual who prefers to stay in motion all the time, will have different needs. Such a person will not be able to learn while sitting at a desk, but will get up and just walk around the room or vigorously gesticulate in order to be able to concentrate on the material. A kinesthetic learner does not take care of order or silence in the workplace – because it is irrelevant to him, but he will be happy when he can experience something first hand. Such a student appreciates practice; theory is just an addition to him. For this reason, his notes will be careless and chaotic, and planning will become a real nightmare. However, a person with such preferences will prove themselves as a chairman of the class, he will deal well with possible stage fright and will be happy to take part in role play activities and experiments.

The conclusion from the analyses above is that one learning style often excludes another; that is why it is so essential for a student to understand his own predispositions correctly, and for the teacher to be able to adjust methods and techniques of teaching to the style of acquiring knowledge.