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Learning & Teaching

Learning styles vs teaching methods

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 10:37

Brian Moore

By Brian V Moore

We all have our natural and preferred learning style. Individual learning styles are made up of a combination of learning through seeing, doing, telling and listening.

Our dominant learning style normally determines our communication styles and can show us how best to teach and to learn. For example auditory learners normally teach through stories and lectures.

This brief article discusses the basic learning styles, how different learners learn best and how to adapt our teaching methods for great results.

When we teach a group of learners with all of the differing learning styles, it is critical that we involve them through all of the different techniques.

Who should know and understand learning and communication styles?

Parents, teachers, lecturers, speakers, trainers, facilitators, presenters, leaders, managers and anyone who uses communication on a daily basis. Yes, all of us! Remember. There is no such thing as a stupid learner, there is only an communicator/ educator who has not YET found the key to sharing information with that person.

A Look at Visual Learners

Visual learners typically remember and grasp concepts through visualisation. They normally have a good sense of direction because they picture and memorise landmarks, maps and directions.

Many prefer to see and read information in writing. They often find lectures to be boring. They like to doodle, draw and look out of the window.

Visual learners normally use sight words. See, look, show, picture, vision, view, perspective and sight are commonly used. They might say "Let me show you, so that you can get the picture."

They remember details including colours, faces, landmarks and spatial arrangements.

How Visual Learners Learn best

They learn best by seeing what they are being taught. Visual learners typically prefer images, maps, graphs, and other visual representations over other forms of instruction. They will find that if they include images, mind maps, lists, and other visual techniques in their notes then they will have a better chance of remembering key information.

Adapting Teaching Methods for Visual Learners

Include photographs, models, diagrams, mind maps, word webs, visuals to help visual learners to swiftly retain knowledge and understanding.

Visual students should colour highlight key items, create mind maps and use flashcards when learning.

Stay away from lecturing without visuals. Too many words switch them off. A Word about Auditory Learners

Auditory learners are sound-based, thus they learn best by listening and talking aloud. They typically notice and remember words and sounds. They remember what they hear. They are normally good with language. They often read to themselves as they study.

Audio learners normally use sound words. Listen, hear, say, tell, whisper, mission, story, speak and understand are commonly used. They might say "Let me tell you how it works, so that you can hear and understand." They remember the details of conversations and lessons. They are can be very distracted by outside noise and sounds.

How Auditory Learners Learn best

Auditory learners learn best through hearing the lessons. They often need to read the written word aloud to remember key points. Simply repeating over and over in their heads – is a key learning method.

Audio mind maps – mind maps with words are great tools for Auditory learners. They love to learn through stories and memorable quotations. Verbal repetition is an effective means of study for auditory learners.

Adapting Teaching Methods for Auditory Learners

Teach verbally and supply written instructions for assignments. Ask them to highlight key learning points, by underlining – or with a marker. Involve them through group discussion.

Use videos to complement the written text. Allow time to question, discuss, read out loud and talk through problems.

Record lessons on audio/ video and give them copies to listen to or watch in their own time. Use stories, quotations, proverbs and audio mind maps as a method to convey lessons and messages.

Getting a Feel for Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners typically learn best by experiencing and doing. They are naturally good at physical activities like sports and dance. They are good with their hands and enjoy hands-on learning.

They typically like how-to guides and action-adventure stories. They might pace while on the phone or take breaks from studying to get up and move around.

Kinesthetic learners use feeling words such as feelings, felt, touched, sensed, safe and caring. They may ask, “What are your feelings about…?” Or, they may say, “I sense something strange in that person’s attitude.”

Some Kinesthetic learners are fidgety and have a hard time sitting still. Allow them to move.

They are often sensitive and need to feel safe and protected. Stay away from stern reprimands, anger, violence and shouting as this disturbs them tremendously.

How Kinesthetic Learners Learn best

Kinesthetic learners learn best through experience, such as making things, physically colouring in, manipulating items, simulations and role plays. It is critical to physically involve them in the learning process.

They enjoy and learn well from experimenting and 1st hand experience. Movement and participation are critical to their learning. They learn best when activities are varied during the programme/ semester and during each class period.

Adapting Teaching Methods for Kinesthetic Learners

Vary instruction methods through lessons to retain their involvement. Build hands-on lessons into the curriculum. Use role-plays to build strong further understanding of key concepts. Give them opportunities to team up with small discussion and experimenting groups as they learn concepts and lessons.

Plan field trip to reinforce multiple key concepts. Allow students to stretch partially and move to avoid them losing concentration. Smaller children can even learn to read and count whilst jumping on a trampoline – with letters and numbers painted on the bouncing mat.

Never put them in embarrassing situations, or personally attack them.

For more information visit the ways we learn blogspot or contact Brian at brian@africa-dreams.com or 079 643 4457