Learning Styles

PRETZEL K. ZUNIGA, PhD, PTRP

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Learning Styles
Students taught partly in a manner
they prefer, leads to an increased
comfort level and willingness to
learn. Taught partly in a less
preferred manner, provides practice
and feedback in ways of thinking and
solving problems which they may not
initially be comfortable with but
which they will have to use to be
fully effective professionals.

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 Learning Styles – so why

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 Learning
Learning Styles
Styles - Categories

Visual
Input into mind
Verbal

Sensory
Perception of Information
Intuitive

Active
Processing to Retain
Reflective

Sequential
Building Understanding
Global
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 Learning Styles Visual - Verbal
• Identify information Input
• People tend to prefer to take
in information either visually
or verbally

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 Learning Styles Visual - Verbal

Visual 70%
Prefer charts, diagrams, and pictures

Verbal 30%
Prefer the spoken
and written word

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 Learning Styles Visual - Verbal
Visual Learner Verbal Learner

Instruction Video Clips Lecture

Diagrams & Images Audio clips
Maps
Assignments Mind Mapping Interviews
PowerPoint With Images Seminars
Reports & Speeches
Assessment Id on Maps Sound Identification
Drawings and Sketches Verbal tests
Read & response
Reference Reference maps Video/Audio Clips
Diagrams/Pictures
Articles
Communication Whiteboard Phone
Chat Audio Conferencing

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 Learning Styles Visual - Verbal

Helping the Visual Learner Helping the Verbal Learner

Try to find and use diagrams, Prepare summaries of material…

sketches, flow charts… Allow for presentation of others
Use concept maps when explanations…
appropriate… Discussions of topics by the
Color code notes if possible… class…
Try to locate video clips related to
your topics…

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 Learning Styles Sensing-Intuitive
• Perception of information
• Sensors like to work with real
data and like details
• Intuitors like to work with
theories and like concepts
• Making it fit in the real world
or the world of ideas
Facts and Data Concepts
• Concrete   Conceptual

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 Learning Styles Sensing-Intuitive

Sensing 58% - (Logical)

Prefer data and facts
Want a connection to real world

Intuitive 42% - (innovators)

Prefer theories and interpretations
of factual information
Want a connection to other ideas

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 Learning Styles Sensing - Intuitive
Sensing Learner Intuitive Learner

Instruction Images Case Studies

Sounds Hypothesis Setting
Demos
Assignments Creation of Demos Problem Solving
Images Resolution Building
Case Studies
Assessment Detail Tests Outcome Projections
Audio Tests

Reference Field Trips Compare & Contrast

Virtual Field Trips

Communication Conferencing Tools Group Work

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 Learning Styles Sensing - Intuitive

Helping the Sensing Learner Helping the Intuitive Learner

Provide specific examples to Connection exercises for theories

material if possible…
Try to frame material in how they
apply in practice…
Brainstorming on how the
material presented works in
practice…
being presented…
Question development time…
Provide time or exercises for
building hypothesis…

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 Learning Styles Active-Reflective

• Processing to Retain
• Active learners need to
interact with the material
directly and/or talking with
others
• Reflective learners need to
think about where the new
information fits

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 Learning Styles Active-Reflective

Active 68%
Learn best by doing something physical with
the information
Let’s try it and see how it works out

Reflective 32%
Do the processing in
their head
Let’s think it through

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 Learning Styles Active - Reflective
Active Learner Reflective Learner

Instruction Class Participation Critical Thinking

Reflection Time

Assignments Model Building Problem Sets

Journaling

Assessment Projects Problem Solving

Reports Essays

Reference Field Trips Observations

Virtual Field trips Readings

Communication Meetings Webcasts

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 Learning Styles Active - Reflective

Helping the Active Learner Helping the Reflective Learner

Allow time for problem-solving Reflective time in a class…

activities… Question development time…
Hypothesis development Summaries of class materials…
exercises… Blogging…
Group discussions on topics in the
material…

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 Learning Styles Sequential-Global
• Building Understanding
• Sequentials want to follow a
linear process
• Global learners want to work
from the big picture

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 Learning Styles Sequential-Global

Sequential 72%
Easily makes linear connections between individual steps

Global 28%
Must see the big picture
Before the individual
pieces fall into place

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 Learning Styles Sequential - Global
Sequential Learner Global Learner

Instruction Video Clips Lecture

Diagrams & Images Audio clips
Maps
Assignments Mind Mapping Interviews
PowerPoint With Images Seminars
Reports & Speeches
Assessment Id on Maps Sound Identification
Drawings and Sketches Verbal tests
Read & response
Reference Reference maps Vide/Audio Clips
Diagrams/Pictures
Articles
Communication Whiteboard Phone
Chat Audio Conferencing

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 Learning Styles Sequential - Global

Helping the Sequential Learner Helping the Global Learner

Provide material in order of Organize material into more

completing a task… blocks than step by step
Provide examples and material to approach…
fill in steps… Relate material to existing
material and theories…

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 Learning
Learning Style
Styles - Helping Learners
Teaching Style

Visual Visual
Input - Presentation
Verbal Verbal

Sensory Concrete
Perception - Content
Intuitive Abstract

Active Active
Processing - Participation
Reflective Passive

Sequential Linear
Understanding - Perspective
Global Sweeping
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What are Learning Styles?
• Information enters your brain three main
ways: sight, hearing and touch, which
one you use the most is called your
Learning Style
• Visual Learners learn by sight
• Auditory Learners learn by hearing
• Tactile Learners (kinesthetic) learn by
touch
 Visual Learners
• Prefer to see information such as pictures,
diagrams, cartoons, demonstrations
• Picture words and concepts they hear as
images
• Easily distracted in lecture with no visual
aids
• Overwhelmed with intense visuals
accompanied by lecture
• Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and
flash cards when studying
 Auditory Learners
• 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
 Tactile or Kinesthetic Learners
• Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in
information
• In traditional lecture situations, they should write
out important facts
• Create study sheets connected to vivid examples
Okay, I
• Role-playing can help them learn and get it
remember important ideas now.
Discovering Your Own Learning Style
• Take a Learning Styles test
• Think about your favorite classes in high school
or college so far. What do they have in
common? Did you like…
– mastering facts?
– discussion? or working on your own?
– lecture? or pairing or grouping?
– hands-on activities?
• Do some self-analysis (called
metacognition) How do you
think you learn?
 Using Knowledge of Your Learning
Style
• Knowing your learning style, both your
strengths and your weaknesses, can help you
study more effectively.
 Build Strengths across the Learning
Styles
Progress is
• Make the best use of your our most
learning style. important
• Work harder in skills that don’t trait!
come easily to you.
• Be flexible and adaptable, try
new things and new ways.
• Keep growing! Don’t be easily
satisfied!
 Different Teaching Styles
Are they compatible with your learning style?
Lecture – teacher talks all period
Group discussion – teacher talks but encourages
discussion
Small groups – teacher aids (facilitates) group
interaction
Visual focus – teacher uses lots of visual aids
Verbal focus – words, words & more words
Logical sequence – teacher presents material in a
step-by-step, reasonable format
Random sequence – teacher jumps all over the
place
 Build Positive Relationships with Your
Instructors

• Much of college is about interactions Group

with your professors. effort,
• The success of those interactions will Yes!
have a major impact on your overall
college success.
• Don’t let your learning style or
personality preferences control your
behavior.
• Take responsibility for relating to your
instructors in a way that will be most
beneficial to you.
• They will be more responsive if you
appear to be confident and in control.
 Solving Problems with Instructors

• Instructors are human (it’s true, honest.) We can work

You can talk to them. this out…
• If you are struggling in a course, talk to
classmates and approach instructor.
• Be courteous and forthright. We all make
mistakes: instructors & students both.
• Keep copies of your work.
• Direct complaints to instructor first.
• If unsuccessful, appeal in writing to
instructor’s supervisor.
 Making the Most of the Student-
Instructor Relationship
• Make it a point to attend class regularly,
So what is it about your
grade that you don’t
and on time. like?
• If you have a question, ask it.
• Save your “cuts” for emergencies.
• Sit near the front.
• See your instructor outside class
when you need help.
• Share one or more “one minute papers”
and your ideas with your instructor.
 Remember!
No matter what your Learning Style is, it’s
very important to-
• Be involved in class – participate!
• Link classroom experience to the outside world
• Relate class concepts to your own life.
• Ask questions and offer criticism.
• Stimulate further relevant discussion.
• Don’t get distracted – stay “on-task”
• Keep an open mind: there are many ideas beyond
your own.
 References
• http://www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/learning_Styles.html

• http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

• http://www.uncw.edu/cte/soloman_felder.htm

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