Learning+Styles


 * Learning Styles **

**What are learning styles? **

Learning styles allows teachers to access a student’s ability to learn by using different approaches or ways of learning. Three basic types of learning styles have been identified namely, **Visual Learner (VL)** – students tend to be stimulated by body language, facial expressions and generally avoid visual obstruction, **Auditory Learner (AL)** – learning occurs through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say, **Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners (T/KL)** – learning occurs through actively and physically exploring their environment, hands-on approach.

The learning style can be assessed by completing a Learning style inventory. The inventory allows the learner to gain understanding of their preferred learning style as well as evaluate the manner in which students prefer to learn or process information. This enables teachers to design and develop strategies which will enhance students learning potential.

**One observation ** I have to make, that if you are visual or auditory the inventory itself does not lend itself to such people.

Dr. Anthony Gregorc on the other hand suggests that learning styles can also be divided into two categories namely the **concrete** (learning occurs through the 5 senses that will deal with the direct environment, in which communication happens without evaluating the information) and the **abstract** (learning happens through visualization, in which understanding is achieved in relation to the abstract through intuition and imagination/ communication is more delicately expressed). According the Dr. Anthony individuals possess both concrete and abstract perceptual abilities, there is a tendency that one will dominate in which the person will feel more comfortable with one. This learning style identifies emerging pattern for using one area over the other more comfortably and falls within four combinations:

1. **Concrete Sequential (CS)**- dominated by order and logical linear thinking, emphasis is placed on a structured environment. Group work might seem challenging for these types of learners.

**2. Abstract Random (AR)- ** Serene and peaceful environment promotes learning – one on one personalized teaching allows for effective learning for these students. Students in this category are challenged by competition.

**3. Abstract Sequential (AS)- ** reflecting before acting, analysis and the application of logic for problem solving and decision making dominates the learning environment. They flourish when around experts and they can research subjects, especially on their own. Expressing emotion may be difficult for these types.

**4. Concrete Random (CR) ** – the almost hands-on approach and trial and error through experimentation, promotes thinking and learning. They have a high tolerance toward risk and enjoy working with few boundaries. Mundane, routine and limitation challenge these learners.

**Classroom Application **

**Visual Learners: **

<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In class I can use visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. For example in Economics to highlight GDP – I could use flipcharts to depict GDP of various countries. It is important that during the lesson constantly relate content to the visual images and also allow time for students to write notes. Always allow for all students to be able to see you. Notes can also be posted on the wikki page – as evidence when students need to summarize their understanding of the lesson. Classroom scrapbook: Share news, photos, and current achievements in your classroom on a wiki page.

**<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Auditory Learners: ** <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When giving a lesson, always ensure that you do not use a monotone voice – ensure that when you emphasize something you voice could go a bit louder. Using your voice you can almost tell a story and allow through your voice the student to go on a journey. Group discussion and debates play an important role. If you have a text, you can read it aloud and then allow for silent reading. One can even try to rhyme words to make the learning process easier. The Students can also watch a video clip that I will post on the wikki resource link of my class and they can post their reflection paper on their thoughts.

**<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners: ** <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I normally allow for group-work within the class or we take breaks every 45 minutes for 5 minutes. Within the lesson plan for example with Geography and map reading, I put up the world map and allow students to mill around the map finding countries. Content and categories of content are normally colour coded.