NUR 558

Unit 3 – Learning Styles

Objectives

• Describe the different styles of learning.

• Develop awareness of various approaches to studying based on one’s preferred style of learning.

• Identify one’s individual learning style.

• Learning styles are the various approaches or ways of learning.

• They are particular to each individual.

• They involve educational methods that allow individuals to learn the best.

Learning Styles

• VAK learning styles– Visual learners– Auditory learners– Kinesthetic learners

• The Multiple Intelligences Model– Linguistic– Logical-Mathematical– Musical– Bodily-Kinesthetic– Spatial-Visual– Interpersonal– Intrapersonal

Overview

VAK learning styles(Chapman, 2005)

Visual Learners

• Visual learning refers to a person's ability to perceive, analyze, and understand visual information in the world around them.

• Learn best when taught using written, modeled, or diagrammed instruction and visual media.

• Tend to be readers who diligently take down every word.

Auditory Learners

• Learn primarily through listening.

• They focus their ears and attention on your words, listening carefully to everything you say.

• They like to talk rather than write and discuss what they've heard.

Kinesthetic Learners

• Process information best through a “hands-on” experience.

• Learn best by actually doing an activity or being physically active in the learning environment.

  Visual Auditory Kinestheticoperate new equipment read instructions listen to explanation have a go

travel directions look at a map ask for spoken directions use a compass

cook a new dish follow a recipe call a friend for explanation taste as you cookteach someone something write instructions explain verbally

demonstrate and let them have a go

you'd say.. I see what you mean I hear what you are saying I know how you feel

you'd say.. show me  tell me let me try

you'd say.. watch how I do it listen to me explain you have a go

faulty goods write a letter Phone callsend or take it back to the store

leisure museums and galleries music and conversation playing sport

buying gifts books music tools and gadgets 

shopping look and imagine  discuss with shop staff  try on and test

choose a vacation read the brochures listen to recommendations imagine the experience 

choose a new car read the reviews discuss with friends test-drive

TOTALS:      

VAK Learning Style Inventory

Read the bolded column on the left. Choose how you would normally approach the task. Put a point in the column that applies to you, in general. Total the columns to indicate your relative learning style preference/s. The column/s with the most points is it!

Study Tools

Visual learners:

•  Develop graphic organizers for new material

•  Draw mind maps

•  Develop charts and graphs

•  Use highlighter to emphasis key points

•  Visualize Material

Auditory learners: 

• Record lectures

• Study in groups

• Participate in discussions

• Read and answer questions out loud

• “talk your way” through problems

Kinesthetic learners:

•  Participate in projects

•  Make note cards or sample tests

•  Take frequent breaks and move around

•  Copy key points onto dry erase board

Multiple Intelligence Model(Chapman, 2005)

Howard Gardner’s

• Refers to an individuals ability to understand and manipulate words and languages.

• Includes reading, writing, speaking, and other forms of verbal and written communication

• People such as poets authors, and attorneys exhibit strong linguistic intelligence

• Highly valued in today’s education system

Linguistic

• Individuals ability to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically.

• Likes to play strategy games and solve mathematical problems

• Real life examples are Albert Einstein, Niehls Bohr, and John Dewery.

• Highly valued in today’s education system

Logical-Mathematical

• Involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns.

• It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms.

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Louis Armstrong are examples.

Musical

• Entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems.

• It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements.

• Likes to move around, touch the people they are talking to, and act things out.

• People with this intelligence are Michael Jordan, Martina Naratilova, and Jim Carey.

Bodily-Kinesthetic

• An individual’s ability to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas.

• Learn best from visual presentations such as movies, pictures, videos, and demonstrations using models or props.

• Real life examples include Pablo Picasso, Bobby Fisher, and Georgia O’Keefe

Spatial-Visual

• Refers to an individual's ability to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people.

• It allows people to work effectively with others.

• Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counselors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence.

Interpersonal

• Refers to an individual’s capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations.

• Involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives.

• Classic autobiographers such as Jena Paul Satre and Frederik Douglas are examples.

Intrapersonal

• http://surfaquarium.com/MI/inventory.htm

• http://www.literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

• Choose one, go on the web, and figure out what your intelligences are!

Multiple Intelligence Learning Style Inventory

• Linguistic– record lectures, take notes

• Logical-Mathematical– form concepts,

• Musical– turn information into lyrics, tapping out time during studying

• Bodily-Kinesthetic– act out or role play the information, review of material while

engaging in physical activity

• Visual-Spatial – construct graphs, charts, or pictures of information

• Interpersonal– work and/or study in groups, use of conferencing or email

• Intrapersonal– work and/or study independently, use of reflection such as journaling

Various Methods of Study

Identify what type of learner you are and do what works

best for you!

• Chapman, A. (2005). Howard Gardner multiple intelligence and vak learning styles. Retrieved from http://www.businessballs.com/learningstyles.htm