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Learning Styles

Modality Descriptors Learn Best Through the Use


of ...

Visual  Learn by observation


Learners
(input)  Can recall what they have
seen

 Can follow written or drawn


instructions

 Like to read

 Use written notes

 Benefit by visualizing,
watching TV/video/films

Auditory  Prefer listening and taking


Learners notes
(input)
Verbal-  Listen for patterns
Linguistic
Intelligence
 Consult peers to ascertain
that they have the correct
details

 Can recall what they have


heard

 Can follow oral directions

 Repeat words aloud for


memorizartion

 Use oral language


effectively
Kinesthetic
Learners  Are often physically adept
(input)
 Learn through experience
and physical activity

 Benefit from demonstration

 Learn from teaching others


what they know

Tactile
Learners  Learn by touching and
(input) manipulating objects

 Often learn inductively


rather than deductively

 Tend toward pscychomotor


over abstract thinking

 Prefer personal connections


to topics

 Follow directions they have


written themselves / that
they have rehearsed

 Benefit from demonstrations

Active
 Can be impulsive

 Risk-takers

 Do not prefer lectures

 Prefer group work

 Tend to be interpersonal

 Not inclined to too much


note-taking
Reflective
 Prefer to think about
concepts quietly before any
action

 Learn by thinking

 Like writing

 Tend to be intrapersonal
and introspective

Global
Understandi  Make decisions based on
ng intuition

 Spontaneous and creative;


"idea" person

 Often a risk-taker

 Tend to reach conclusions


quickly

 Intake information in large


chunks rather than details

 Nonlinear thinkers

 "See the forest before they


see the trees."

Analytical
Understandi  Sequential, linear learners
ng
 Prefer information in small
chumks, steps

 Can follow the rules for


mathematic equations

 Prefer a logical progression

 "See the trees before they


see the forest."
Modality Descriptors Learn Best Through the Use of ...

Visual Learners  Learn by observation 


(input)
 Can recall what they have  Charts, graphs, diagrams,
seen and flow charts

 Can follow written or drawn  Sight words


instructions
 Flashcards
 Like to read
 Visual similarities and
 Use written notes differences

 Benefit by visualizing,  Pictures and graphics


watching TV/video/films
 Maps

 Silent reading

 Written instructions

 Computer assisted
learning

Auditory  Prefer listening and taking  Discussion, dialog, debate


Learners (input) notes
Verbal-
 Memorization
Linguistic
 Listen for patterns
Intelligence
 Phonics
 Consult peers to ascertain
that they have the correct  Oral reading
details

 Hearing anecdotes or
 Can recall what they have stories
heard
 Can follow oral directions  Listening to tapes or CDs

 Repeat words aloud for  Cooperartive learning


memorizartion groups

 Use oral language


effectively

Kinesthetic
Learners (input)  Are often physically adept  Playing games

 Learn through experience  Role playing


and physical activity
 Read body
 Benefit from demonstration language/gestures

 Learn from teaching others  Mime


what they know
 Drama

 Learn or memorize while


moving (pacing, stationary
bike, finger or whole body
games)

Tactile Learners
(input)  Learn by touching and  Learning by doing
manipulating objects
 "Hands-on"
 Often learn inductively
rather than deductively  Creating maps

 Tend toward pscychomotor  Building models


over abstract thinking

 Art projects
 Prefer personal connections
to topics
 Using manipulatives
 Follow directions they have
written themselves / that  Drawing, designing things
they have rehearsed
 Writing / tracing
 Benefit from
demonstrations

Active
 Can be impulsive  Prefer "doing, discussin,
explaining" vs listening and
watching
 Risk-takers  Prefer active
experimentation
 Do not prefer lectures
 Like acting and role playing
 Prefer group work
 Like team competition
 Tend to be interpersonal

 Not inclined to too much


note-taking

Reflective
 Prefer to think about  Tend toward deductive
concepts quietly before any learning
action
 Prefer reflective
 Learn by thinking observation

 Like writing  Intrapersonal skills valued

 Tend to be intrapersonal  Journals


and introspective
 Learning logs

Global
Understanding  Make decisions based on  Interpersonal connection
intuition important to them

 Spontaneous and creative;  Stories and anecdotes


"idea" person
 Seeing the "whole" rather
 Often a risk-taker than in parts

 Tend to reach conclusions  Highly interesting project


quickly and materials

 Intake information in large  Functional games and


chunks rather than details activities

 Nonlinear thinkers  Think-pair-share; Praise-


question-polish
 "See the forest before they
see the trees."  Teacher feedback; person-
to-person communication
Analytical
Understanding  Sequential, linear learners  Intrapersonal skills valued

 Prefer information in small  Journals


chumks, steps
 Learning logs
 Can follow the rules for
mathematic equations  Sequentially organized
material, timelines,
 Prefer a logical progression diagrams

 "See the trees before they  Moving from "part" to the


see the forest." "whole"

 Puzzles, logic games

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