Learning Styles

In the previous post I have shed some light into different types of intelligence in a learner. Every learner adapts his or her dominant intelligence to shape his or her learning style. The seven types of learning styles that have been identified are; visual, aural, verbal, logical, kinesthetic, intrapersonal and interpersonal learning styles. Students use their visual, auditory and tactile sensations to adapt their dominant learning style. 

1. Tactile Learners:

These learners remember what they have experienced from their hand or other parts of the body. When doing practically tactile sense receptors located in the skin, organs, muscle and joints cause depolarization of the nerve ending and generate an action potential which travels towards the spinal cord through the neuronal pathways to terminate at the primary somatosensory area in the parietal lobe of brain where there is a map of sensory space called a homunculus (which maps the brain to certain areas of the body e.g. hand, legs involved in doing the activity). Tactile information is thus reached to the central nervous system and processed. 

Teaching strategies for this type of learners can involve in giving out-of-seat activities and also making students do their own multimedia presentations.

2. Visual Learners

Visual learners tend to retain what they see including diagrammatic representations of concepts, illustrations and data represented in charts and graphical forms. Strategies used to teach for this type of learners include the use of attractive and interesting visuals and use of study materials that are clear and easy to ready. The visual study aids used must be arranged in a logical sequence for the learner to derive meaning easily and to avoid confusion.  Use of multimedia, videos, images, pictures and other forms of diagrammatic representations will be excellent ways to teaching visual learners. Making the students to take relevant important digital images, for example during experiments, will contribute this type of learners to learn and remember what has been taught. 

3. Auditory Learners

Auditory learners tend to retain information which they have been told by their teacher or friends. They are keen in participating in discussions and talk programs. Key strategies used to teach auditory learners include giving out clear verbal information, repeat key points and summarize the lesson at the end of the class. It is also important to try and keep classroom silent during explanations so that the verbal learner makes the most of it. Classroom discussions are helpful for this type of learning. In addition sound effects can be utilized for teaching such as multimedia, music and speeches.

Understanding students learning styles and adapting the best suited learning style can produce good learning outcomes. This is particularly useful when dealing with topics that are demanding and challenging in nature. For example some literature lessons may involve plays comprising of old English language which is hard to understand. Instead of dictating the play if a teacher designs the lesson into a drama it would include all 3 styles of learning and many (almost all) learners will find their learning styles being used and will be intrigued by the entertainment itself.

Reference:

PGCE lecture notes