Visual
Visual learners use cues such as body language and facial expressions to help them learn and understand what the other person is saying. They may do best if they have additional information in the form of charts, illustrations and handouts to go along with lectures. Visual learners may take notes and do best when sitting in the front of the classroom.
Strategies
- Use images, pictures and color to enhance your notes.
- Use layout and organization as a way to “see” the concepts being taught.
- Increase understanding by looking up pictures, reading words or finding charts to explain what you have learned.
- Use different colored pens to take notes to add visual cues to the information you are learning.
Auditory
Auditory learners learn best from hearing the information. They benefit from lectures and discussions of the material. They solve problems by talking things through and listening to what other people have to say about a subject. Auditory learners listen to how someone speaks, what inflections they use in their speech, the tone of voice and the speed of someone’s speech.
Strategies
- Record your notes into a tape recorder so that you can listen to the notes again.
- Discuss the ideas presented in class with other students, the teacher or parents.
- Explain the concepts learned to other people such as classmates or parents.
- When studying, read information aloud.
Verbal
The Verbal or linguistic style of learning includes the use of both the written and spoken word. People with a dominant verbal learning style love to read and express themselves in writing often. They have a strong vocabulary and enjoy playing word games.
Strategies:- Use taped recording of lectures to hear the lecture as well as reading the notes. Including the written and the spoken word together is very powerful.
- Use lists and mnemonics in studying large lists or trying to recall information.
- Make up songs or rhymes to remember lists of information or to study for exams.
Kinesthetic
Action and touching are integral to learning for those with a kinesthetic or physical learning style. Many people with this type of learning style will think through problems as they are doing something, such as working around the house. New skills are learned by jumping in and trying out different methods to find out what works best. Sitting through lectures can be difficult.
