LEARNING STYLES

Have you ever tried to explain an idea to your classmates, only to find that they
were unable to understand what you thought was straightforward? What do you
think causes this or why do you think something like that happens?
Write your response in the lines below:
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People have different styles or ways of learning. But what does the term learning
style mean?
Learning styles simply refers to how you take in and process
information.
They are also simply known as different ways of looking at things or
approaches of learning

Important
Importantthings
thingsthat
thatyou
you
need
to
note
regarding
need to note regarding
learning
learningstyles
styles

Learning styles have no basis on how intelligent you are.

Your learning style has to do with how your brain works most efficiently to learn
new information.
There is no good or bad learning style, no right or wrong.
1 Learning styles

By being aware of your learning style, you will learn more effectively.
Everyone has an extra ordinary capacity to learn in many different ways.
To understand what a learning style is, just think of how you prefer to learn new
things.
Do you soak up new information through pictures, sounds or in some physical
way through your feelings or touch? The answer to this question will tell you what
your preferred learning style is.
TYPES OF LEARNING STYLES
At the end of this section you should be able to:
understand the different types of learning styles.
identify your learning style
There are three fundamental styles of learning:
1. VISUAL LEARNING STYLE

Characteristics of visual learners

Visual learners often think in pictures and learn best through seeing.
They prefer displays of information such as graphs, pictures, diagrams,
videos, flipcharts e.t.c
These types of learners enjoy taking down detailed notes as it assists
them to understand information.
Are good at faces but forgets names
Prefer to take detailed notes
Need quiet time to study
Usually are good spellers
Like to read
Memorise by seeing
Often close eyes to recall information or spelling
Notice details
Observe rather than talk or act
2 Learning styles

Like colours and diagrams

Mind may stray during verbal activities

Study methods suitable for visual learners

Take notes and summarise material
Use cue words
Use highlighters and coloured pens to summarise
Make mind maps
Use the computer to organize materials and to create graphs, tables,
spreadsheets e.t.c.
Worst Test Type
Listen and respond test
Best test type
Diagramming, reading maps &
essays

2. AUDITORY LEARNERS

Characteristics of auditory learners

Auditory learners learn best through listening, i.e. through verbal lectures,
discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to
say.
For auditory learners written information may have little meaning until it is
heard, so they may choose to tape lectures or read text out aloud.
Are not afraid to talk or speak in class
Are easily distracted
Hum or sing, tend to enjoy music
Like oral reports
Like to be read to
Are good at explaining
Easily remember names
Read slowly
3 Learning styles

Follow spoken directions well

Cant keep quiet for long periods

Study methods suitable for auditory learners

Watch videos
Repeat facts with eyes closed
Participate in group discussions
Record notes after writing them
Tell others what they have learned
Make up rhymes to recall information
Repeat things orally
Make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names, e.t.c
Use word association to remember facts, dates, names etc.

Worst Test Type e.g.

Reading passages and writing answers about them in a
timed test
Best test type
Oral exams, writing responses to lessons they have heard

3. TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

Characteristics of tactile/ kinesthetic learners

Tactile learners learn best through touching, moving and doing.
They have a hands-on approach to learning.
They have a constant need to explore and may find it difficult to sit still for
long periods.
They tend to be good at sports or other physical activities such as dancing
They do not have great handwriting or spelling skills
They like to be able to do things and experiment
They tap a pencil or foot when working
They like to touch people when talking to them
4 Learning styles

They study with loud music on

They like adventure books, movies e.t.c.
May enjoy acting
Like to problem solve by physically working through problems.
They enjoy handling objects
Take breaks when studying
Enjoy working with hands, such as building models
Often restless in the classrooms
Reading tends to be not a priority for them
They like physical rewards

Study methods suitable for tactile/ kinesthetic learners

Study in short blocks
Role playing
Studying with others
Use memory games
Using flash cards to memorize
Pick up the books as they are reading or talking
Use computers to reinforce learning
Using the sense of touch
Write with fingers in the sand
Use gestures to recall information
Pace while learning
Write lists repeatedly

Worst Test Type

Long tests & essays
Best test type
Short definitions, fill-ins &
multiple choices

5 Learning styles

Research has shown that

students can perform better on
tests if they change study habits
to fit their own personal learning
styles

An example: visual- learning students will

sometimes struggle during essay exams
because they cant recall test material that was
heard in a class. However, if the visual learner
uses a visual aid when studying, like a colourful
outline of test materials, he or she may retain
more information. For him, visual tools improve
the ability to recall information more completely.

Your learning style may be the

single most important key to
improving your grades

Some students remember best

materials they have seen; some
remember things they have
heard, while others remember
things they have experienced.
So, you
category?

fall

under

which

Now that you have gained a lot of information on the different types of learning
styles turn over to the next page and complete the activity in order to see how
much information you can recall.
6 Learning styles

No cheating
You have 10 minutes to complete the following activity. Write your answers
on the spaces provided.
1. Name the three types of learning styles.
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2. List three characteristics of auditory learners.
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3. Give five study methods that are suitable for tactile learners
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4. State whether the following statements are true or false. Indicate this by
putting a tick in the column you believe is the correct one

No. Statement
1.

Visual learners do not like colours and diagrams

2.

Kinesthetic learners are also known as tactile

learners

3.

Auditory learners like oral reports

4.
5.

Tactile learners enjoy acting

Watching videos is a good study method used by
auditory learners

6.

Auditory learners like to be read to

7 Learning styles

True

False

7.

Visual learners study effectively when they use cue

words

Now assess yourself by comparing your responses with the notes on

pages 2 to 6.
It is time for you to find out which of the three is your learning style. To do
that you have to do the following quick assessment
Read each of the statements and put a tick next to the answer that best applies
to you. Tick ONE option only and be as honest as possible so you can get the
true reflection. The column with the most crosses in it at the end will indicate your
preferred learning style.

Statement
1

When operating
equipment for the
first time I .

read the
instructions

ask for an
explanation

have a go and learn

by trial & error

When needing
directions I

look at a
map

ask for spoken

directions

use a compass

When cooking I.

follow a
recipe

call a friend for

explanation

follow my instinct,
tasting as I cook

To teach someone
something I

write
instructions

explain verbally

demonstrate and let

them try

I tend to say

show me

tell me

let me try

I prefer these
leisure activities

museums or
galleries

music or
conversation

physical activities or
making things

When shopping
generally I tend
to. ..

look and
decide

discuss with shop

staff

try on, handle or test

I watch what
the teacher

I talk to the teacher

and ask what I am

8 Learning styles

Learning a new
skill

is doing

supposed to do

When listening to a
band

I sing along
to the lyrics

I listen to the lyrics

and the beats

I dance in time with

the music

focus on the
words or
pictures in
front of me
writing notes
or keeping
printed
details

discuss the
problem and
possible solutions

move around a lot,

fiddle with pens and
pencils

saying them aloud

or repeating words

doing and practicing

the activity

write lots of
revision
notes(using
lots of
colours)

I talk over my
notes, to myself or
to other people

Imagine making the

movement or creating
the formula

Most of my free
13 time is spent

watching
television

talking to friends

doing physical activity

or making things

I first notice how

14 people

look and
dress

sound and speak

stand and move

I keep
replaying in
my mind what
it is that has
upset me

I shout lots and tell

people how I feel

I stomp about, slam

doors and throw
things

I find it easiest to
16 remember

faces

names

things I have done

I think can tell

someone is lying
17 because

they avoid
looking at you

their voice
changes

Visual

Auditory

When
10 concentrating I
I remember things
best by
11

When I revise for

12 an exam, I

If I am very
15 angry

Totals

I work it out as I am
doing it

the vibes I get from

them
Kinesthetic/Physical

Now calculate the totals for each column. The total scores for each style indicate
your preferred learning style. Some people have very strong preferences and
9 Learning styles

other people have more evenly balanced preferences. The point is simply to try
to understand as much as you can about yourself and your learning style and
then make the best use of learning or study methods which suit your style.
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Now that you have identified your learning style you need to work on it in order to
maximize your learning potential. Understanding the different multiple
intelligences will also help you to know yourself better.
Therefore, in this section you will learn about the different multiple intelligences
and at the end of this section you should be able to do the following:
Identify your intelligence
Understand how it links to your learning style
Use that information to make informed decisions about choosing careers.
What does the word multiple intelligences mean?
It is the seven different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability. This simply
means your ability to think about complicated ideas and discuss them.
There are seven types of multiple intelligences
Visual/ Spatial Intelligence
Ability to perceive the visual a learner who tends to think in
pictures and need to create clear mental pictures to retain
information. A learner who enjoys looking at maps, charts, pictures,
videos and movies.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
interests for you are:
Navigators, sculptors, visual artists, inventors,
architects, interior designers, mechanics & engineers
Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
Ability to use words and language a learner who has highly
developed auditory skills and is generally an elegant speaker. A
learner who thinks in words rather than pictures.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
interests for you are:
Poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician,
10 Learning styles
translator

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
Ability to use reason, logic and numbers - a learner who thinks in
logical and numerical patterns making connections between pieces
of information. This is a learner who likes to do experiments and
asks a lot of questions.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
paths for you are:
Scientists, engineers, computer programmers,
researchers, accountants, mathematicians
Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
Ability to control body movements and handle objects skillfully a
learner who expresses himself/herself through movement.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
paths for you are:
Athletes, physical education teachers, dancers, actors,
firefighters, artisans
Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence
Ability to produce and appreciate music a learner who thinks in
sounds, rhythms and patterns. This is a learner who immediately
responds to music either by appreciating or criticizing what he/she
hears.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible
career paths for you are:
Musician, disc jockey, singer, composer, music
teacher.
Interpersonal Intelligence

11 Learning styles

 Ability to relate and understand others a learner who tries to see

things from other peoples point of view in order to understand how
they think and feel.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible
career paths for you are:
Counselor, salesperson, politician, business person,
psychologist, social worker

Intrapersonal Intelligence
Ability to self-respect and be aware of ones inner state of being a
learner who tries to understand his/her inner feelings, dreams,
relationships with others and strengths and weaknesses.
Are you this kind of learner?
If you are this kind of learner then the possible career
paths for you are:
Researchers, theorists, philosophers
Do you see the connection between the learning styles and multiples
intelligences?
Write your response in the lines below.
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The advantage of knowing what your dominant intelligence is, is that you
are provided with more than enough opportunities to develop and excel in
this area
We wish you the best with your studies and we hope that when you choose your
subjects in grade 10 you will choose wisely and those choices will be informed by
the career you want to pursue when you complete your schooling.
12 Learning styles

Call the BHP Billiton Career Centre on 011 639- 8400 for more information
on this and other topics. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Corner of Mirriam
Makeba and President Streets, Newtown Fax 011 832 3360 Email:
careers@sci-bono.co.za

13 Learning styles