Learning Styles

Learning Styles

To contact a person by phone, you must dial specific numbers in the proper sequence. Our mind works in much the same fashion as a telephone switching system; it goes through several operations in a specific order, which allows it to store or retrieve information. We all do this a bit differently. Even though we all use our five senses to learn about the world around us, we develop our own unique learning styles.

Most of us learn new things by primarily using one mode: AUDITORY, VISUAL, or KINESTHETIC/TACTILE. The AUDITORY learner prefers to “hear” about new things; the VISUAL learner would sooner see a demonstration or read instructions; and the KINESTHETIC/TACTILE learner learns best by doing things that are physical in nature or that have some emotional feeling attached to them. Some of us combine two or three modes when learning. If we use all three modes, we will be able to learn things better. (However, there is no right or wrong way of learning.)

You can improve your ability to learn simply by understanding your dominant learning style (or styles) and by using the chart below. On the next page is a questionnaire designed to help you understand your learning preferences. Please take as much time as you require; answer the questions honestly as there are no right or wrong answer.

When you have answered all the questions, please add up your scores. Your score will be between five (5) and fifteen (15). The area that has the highest score indicates your preferred learning mode; your lowest score indicates your least preferred and least used mode of learning.

Please complete the questionnaire on the other side of the page and calculate your scores.

The mode with the highest score indicates your preferred learning mode. By using some ideas listed under your strongest mode from the chart below, you can enhance your learning of new things.

Activities that accommodate specific learning modalities:


doing touching movement feeling (emotion) field trips simulations painting drawing dancing experiments making things show & tell	talking listening singing rhythm oral drills debates discussions audio tapes lectures public speaking telephoning small groups	viewing imagining films videos pictures posters drawings charts graphs slides transparencies cards	telescopes microscopes skits plays watching reading maps diagrams photographs cartoons paintings displays

LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

Place the numbers 1, 2, or 3 that best indicate your preference in the box at the left of each statement.

3 – OFTEN 2 – SOMETIMES 1 – SELDOM (NOT VERY OFTEN)

	1.) I can remember something best if I say it aloud.
	2.) I prefer to follow written instructions instead of oral ones.
	3.) When studying I like to chew gum, snack and/or play with something.
	4.) I remember things best when I see them written out.
	5.) I prefer to learn through simulations, games, and/or role-playing.
	6.) I enjoy learning by having someone explain things to me.
	7.) I learn best from pictures, diagrams and charts.
	8.) I enjoy working with my hands.
	9.) I enjoy reading and I read quickly.
	10.) I prefer to listen to the news on the radio rather than read it in the newspaper.
	11.) I enjoy being near others. (I enjoy hugs, handshakes and touches.)
	12.) I listen to radio, tapes or CDs.
	13.) When asked to spell a word I simply see the word in my mind’s eye.
	14.) When learning new material I find myself sketching, drawing and doodling.
	15.) When I read silently I say every word to myself.

In order to get an indication of your learning preference, please put the score you assigned to each question in the following boxes and add the numbers in each row.

Visual Preference Score

2	4	7	9	13	= total

Auditory Preference Score

1	6	10	12	15	= total

K/T (Kinesthetic/Tactile) Preference Score

3	5	8	11	14	= total

The highest score indicates that my learning preference

is_________________.

Now I know which is my dominant learning style and I can learn better

by___________________________________________________________.