Maximize Your Learning Style!

styles

By Melody Dornink

It is no small secret that every individual has their own unique personality, temperament, background, and preferences; however, a person’s individuality is often overlooked when it comes to the way they learn. As there are many combinations of personalities and backgrounds in the people around us, so there are multiple combinations of learning styles.

Break Out of The "Learning Style" Box

Traditional schooling mainly employs linguistic and logical teaching methods, which are extremely helpful for those who learn that way, but often leaves behind those who learn differently. Reaching students through their learning style is a relatively new concept, and some teachers are implementing techniques to appeal to the variety of learning styles in their students.

In order to be a successful student – whether in the traditional college setting or as a CollegePlus! student – it is important to discover your own learning style.

Find Your Style!

Numerous websites offer quizzes to help you pinpoint your learning style, and give tips on how to tweak your study time in order to cater to the way you learn best. Though there are many different descriptions of learning styles, they can all be boiled down into six categories: visual, auditory, physical, logical, social, and solitary.

Usually, people are strong in two or three areas, not just one. Take the time to identify your own learning styles; it will make you a better and more effective student. Here is a short synopsis of each style and a few study tips to get you started.

Visual (Spatial-Linguistic) Learning Style

Those who are strong visually will prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others. They have a good sense of direction, and can mentally visualize objects, locations, and ideas. Additionally, visual learners prefer text over lectures.

They can easily express themselves, in writing and verbally, and enjoy utilizing a large vocabulary. They learn better from written study notes, blackboards, and textbooks than from a professor giving a lecture.

A visual learner can employ study habits such as writing out critical information, creating pictures or timelines to cement a visual image in their minds, developing written or pictorial outlines of key ideas, using reminders such as note pads and Post-Its, written repetition, and flash cards.

Auditory (Vocal-Musical-Rhythmic) Learning Style

For this style, the individual likes to work with sound and music. Those who employ this style are typically gifted musically, and possess a natural sense of pitch and rhythm. They tend to notice background music more than the average person, and often find themselves humming or tapping out a song.

This type of learner thrives on oral communication, and excels at verbally expressing himself. What they hear, they usually remember. When reviewing written material, an auditory learner would do well to read aloud and review information orally.

Also, it is helpful to find a “buddy” who can verbally review pertinent information and discuss study topics with you. Auditory learners should also use mnemonics, rhymes, jingles, and auditory repetition to improve study time.

Physical (Bodily-Kinesthetic) Learning Style

Physical learners are the hands-on type. Charts and diagrams are disregarded; instead, they love to roll up their sleeves and dive right in. They use their body and sense of touch to learn about the world around them, and tend to be very expressive in hand gestures and body language. They like to think out ideas and problems while doing something, and enjoy physical activities such as sports or gardening.

Such learners should use as many senses as possible while studying, and allow for physical movement and periodic breaks. Also, they should write practice answers, paragraphs, or essays.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to make many subjects hands-on – especially in distance learning; however, there is one thing a student can always do: teach. The active process of explaining information to another person will help a kinesthetic learner understand and remember the material better themselves.

Logical (Mathematical) Learning Style

The “math whiz” people we all know probably fall primarily into the logical category. They like using their brain for logical and mathematical reasoning. Patterns are easily recognized, as well as connections between seemingly meaningless content. They excel with numbers, and can perform complex calculations – oftentimes in their head.

Their approach to problems and issues is very systematic; thus, they often create agendas, to-do lists, and numerical targets, and then track their own progress. An effective way for logical learners to study is to classify and group information, thus establishing patterns that are easily recalled.

It is important to understand before memorizing information – but they need to try not to over-analyze it, or they may become overloaded. Mathematical learners prefer structured, goal-orientated activities, and learn best when taught using visual materials, computers, and statistical and analytical programs.

Social (Interpersonal) Learning Style

Those who learn best socially communicate well with people, usually listen well, and have a broad understanding of other peoples’ viewpoints. They would rather be in a group doing a social activity than being by themselves. They typically prefer learning in groups or classes, and they like to spend one-on-one time with a teacher or an instructor.

Often, they will sort out their own thoughts by bouncing them off of other people, and they prefer working through things with a group. Social learners will learn well from working with other students, perhaps in a study group, through discussion boards, or group tutorials.

Solitary (Intrapersonal) Learning Style

A solitary learner is more private, introspective, and independent. They concentrate well, and are very effective at mentally analyzing topics. They like to reflect on past conversations or events, and often keep a journal to record personal thoughts.

Spending time alone is a pleasure, not a punishment, to the solitary learner. They study best when free from distractions and outside interference.

Solitary learners do well when studying alone, setting goals and making plans; however, they need to be self-motivated, because of the absence of other people. It is helpful for them to discover what keeps other people motivated and apply those ideas to their own thinking.

Use The Style!

Once you discover your specific learning styles, consciously develop study habits that will help you excel. If you’re strong in more than one style, emphasize the one that better suits your current schooling situation.

Put It Into Practice

For example, as a CollegePlus! student, visual and solitary learning may be more useful than social or kinesthetic. Regardless, there are ways to practice different styles of learning and cultivate new techniques for the areas in which you’re already strong.

Do some investigating to discover your own individual learning style – you’ll be glad you did!

you can Melody is a CollegePlus! English major and lives with her family in Minnesota. She is working on a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate, hopes to travel overseas soon, and helps in construction and remodeling with her father.

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2 comments so far - Leave a comment below

It's great to see many students and their families choose a more excellent way to gain an education. Thanks for the update. I am a homeschooling parent and I look forward to joining your CollegePlus! program in two years for my son.

— Donna Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:49 AM CDT

Melody,

You mention that there are many on-line tests that can help determine one's learning style. Can you recommend a few?

Regards,

Chris Gallo

— Chris Gallo Saturday, September 19, 2009 3:52 PM CDT

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