Learning style is described as a group of characteristics, attitudes, and behaviors that define our way of learning. Simply: different approaches or ways of learning. Different styles influence: 1. the way students learn, 2. how teachers teach, and 3. Influence the interaction between teacher / student There are many MODELS of learning styles in education. In 1987, Neil Fleming, a high school and university teacher from New Zealand developed the most widely used learning style model known as the VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic). Years later added a fourth style: Read/Write! The acronym changed to VARK. When I SEE it then I Understand! www.inspiration.com/visual-learning • Need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression. • Tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom • May think in pictures and learn best from visual displays • Prefer to take detailed notes during lecture or classroom discussion to absorb the information. New concepts are easily understood when linked to prior knowledge. http://www.inspiration.com/visual-learning www.inspiration.com/visual-learning AUDITORY LEARNERS Learn by hearing • Prefer to hear information spoken. • Can absorb a lecture with little effort. • May not need careful notes to learn. • Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate. • May read aloud to themselves. • Like background music when they study. AUDITORY LEARNERS Learn by hearing • Learn through listening • Learn best through verbal lectures, discussion, talking things through, and listening to what others have to say • Interpret the underlying meaning of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed, and other nuances • Prefer directions given orally • Seldom takes notes or writes things down • Prefer lectures to reading assignments • Often repeat what has just been said AUDITORY LEARNERS Learn by hearing • Talk to self • Often benefits from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder • Sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front • Hum or talk to himself/herself or others when bored • Acquire knowledge by reading aloud • Remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics). •Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. •They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration. 1. Try things out, touch, feel, and manipulate objects. 1. Body tension is a good indication of their emotions. They gesture when speaking, are poor listeners, stand very close when speaking or listening, and quickly lose interest in long discourse. 3. Remember best what has been done, not what they have seen or talked about. 3. Prefer direct involvement in what they are learning; they are distractible and find it difficult to pay attention to auditory or visual presentations. 4. Rarely an avid reader, they may fidget frequently while handling a book. Often poor spellers, they need to write down words to determine if they “feel” right. CHARACTERISTICS OF KINESTHETIC LEARNERS 1. Walk while studying 2. Move and lecture to the walls 3. Do things as you say them 4. Practice by repeating motions 5. Dance as you study 6. Write words – use crayons, pens, pencils to see if they “feel right” 7. When memorizing, use finger to write on the table or air 8. Associate a feeling with information 9. Stretch www.cvcc.edu/Resources/Learning_Assistance_Center/pdf/Learning_Styles CHARACTERISTICS OF KINESTHETIC LEARNERS 1. Write on a marker board in order to use gross muscle movement 1. Use the computer 1. Hands-on activities with objects that can be touched 1. Study in short time periods; get up and walk around in between 1. Make study tools to hold 1. Use flash cards; separate into “know” and “don’t know” piles 2. Use plastic letters and magnetic boards for new vocabulary 1. Write and rewrite to commit to memory www.cvcc.edu/Resources/Learning_Assistance_Center/pdf/Learning_Styles Read/Write Learning Style The read/write learning style was added to Fleming’s model after the initial three. Read/write learners specifically learn best through the written word. They absorb information by reading books and handouts, taking lots of notes (sometimes word-for-word), and making lists. They prefer lectures, diagrams, pictures, charts, and scientific concepts to be explained using written language. They are often fast readers and skillful writers. Read/Write Learning Style Similar to visual learners, read/write learners may struggle with verbal directions and are easily distracted by noise. Some may be quiet and struggle to detect body language and other social cues. 7 Styles of Learning In Conclusion Each student learns differently, at different rates, using different learning styles. Everyone has a learning style. Accommodating students’ learning style can result in improved attitudes toward learning, as well as increased self esteem and academic achievement. Knowing and becoming familiar with your learning style will help you become a more effective and creative teacher. www.cvcc.edu/Resources/Learning_Assistance_Center/pdf/Learning_Styles