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Have you ever been in a class where all a teacher does is talking throughout, or just draw silly pictures instead of giving notes? Maybe none of these seemed interesting to you. What does this mean?
No two students learn in the same way; people have individual learning styles. What seems good for one may sound awful for another. Identifying your learning style is extremely important. Understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of a students’ cognitive (learning) skill is fundamental.
According to Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory, there are seven learning styles: intra-personal, interpersonal, visual/spatial, body/kinesthetic, verbal/linguistic, musical/rhythmic and logical/mathematical. However, to cope with current educational system experts have simplified the list into three learning styles: Auditory, Visual, and Physical.
How is one different from the other? Read on.
Auditory
Auditory is the most followed method so far. A student with this style is capable of expressing himself or herself in both written and verbal communication.
Techniques used for auditory learning
- Try incorporating speaking and writing into your studying techniques. Talk yourself through procedures in the simulator, or use recordings of your content for repetition.
- Word-based techniques, such as memory rhythms’ can be helpful. Try reading the important points in your assertions out loud.
- Scripting is a great tool. Record your points in a digital audio recorder to replay it later. Replaying the main points to yourself will help commit them to memory.
- One of the best tricks is to read the content out loud in a dramatic and varied voice. Do not be monotone, use a lively and energetic speech will make it more interesting.
- Focus on verbal exchanges such as negotiations, sales.
Visual
Do you think images, pictures, colors, and maps are great ways to organize information and communicate with others? Then visual learning is probably what suits you the best.
Techniques used for visual learning
- Colors, layouts, and spatial diagrams are frequently used by visual students. By “visualizing words”, such as picture, perspective, graph, and map in their assertion, students can learn.
- System diagrams can help visualize the links between parts of the system. Highlight major and minor links and replace words with pictures for a better understanding.
- Story-boarding is an excellent visual learning technique. It helps students to memorize content easily.
- For changing behaviors that relies on visualization, the swish technique work well for the visual learners.
Physical
Students following this style use their body and sense of touch to learn about the world. It’s likely that such these students are keen about sports, exercise, and other physical activities. They would prefer to pull a gaming console apart, instead of looking at diagrams about how it works.
Techniques used for physical learning
- For physical learning, touch, action, movement and hands-on work should be included in the process. Focus on the sensations you would expect in each scenario. For example, if you are visualizing a tack (turn) on a sailboat, focus on physical sensations.
- For assertions, describe the physical feelings of your actions can help you remember the steps. For example, a pilot might say: ‘I feel the friction as I push the throttle forward to start my takeoff run”.
- Physical objects like flashcards can help students memorize information effectively.
- Role-playing can be used to practice skills and behavior; students can practice alone or with someone else.
Find out which of the techniques suits you and share your valuable suggestion with us.
