Discover your best suited Learning Style

Boost your learning ability by finding out your learning style

It's true we all take on information in one of three different ways, using a sense to break it down and store it into long term memory..

I'm sure many of you will have listened to lectures or presentations and try as you might just not been able to store the information in your memory (boring speakers aside!)

The three different styles break down into; Sight, Sound and feel (the latter is usually put into practical use as work)
You may already have some idea as to which one you might be.

Once we've found out tailoring study and reviewing will be greatly improved.

Take a few minutes to complete the following questionnaire to assess your preferred learning style. Begin by reading the words in the left-hand column. Of the three responses to the right, circle the one that best characterizes you, answering as honestly as possible with the description that applies to you right now. Count the number of circled items and write your total at the bottom of each column. The questions you prefer will offer insight into how you learn.

 
The column with the highest total represents your primary processing style. The column with the second-most choices is your secondary style.

 
Now that you know which learning style you rely on, you can boost your learning potential when working to learn more. For instance, the following suggestions can help you get more from reading a book.
If your primary learning style is visual, draw pictures in the margins, look at the graphics, and read the text that explains the graphics. Envision the topic or play a movie in your thoughts of how you’ll act out the subject matter.
If your primary learning style is auditory, listen to the words you read. Try to develop an internal conversation between you and the text. Don’t be embarrassed to read aloud or talk through the information.
If your primary learning style is tactile/kinesthetic, use a pencil or highlighter pen to mark passages that are meaningful to you. Take notes, transferring the information you learn to the margins of the book, into your journal, or onto a computer. Doodle whatever comes to mind as you read. Hold the book in your hands instead of placing it on a table. Walk around as you read. Feel the words and ideas. Get busy—both mentally and physically.

Audio

Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. They may struggle to understand a chapter they've read, but then experience a full understanding as they listen to the class lecture.

Auditory learners may have a knack for ascertaining the true meaning of someone's words by listening to audible signals like changes in tone. When memorizing a phone number, an auditory learner will say it out loud and then remember how it sounded to recall it. Does any of this sound like you?
Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be an auditory learner if you are someone who:

• Likes to read to self out loud.
• Is not afraid to speak in class.
• Likes oral reports.
• Is good at explaining.
• Remembers names.
• Notices sound effects in movies.
• Enjoys music.
• Is good at grammar and foreign language.
• Reads slowly.
• Follows spoken directions well.
• Can't keep quiet for long periods.
• Enjoys acting, being on stage.
• Is good in study groups.

Auditory Learners Can Benefit from:

• Using word association to remember facts and lines.
• Recording lectures.
• Watching videos.
• Repeating facts with eyes closed.
• Participating in group discussions.
• Using audiotapes for language practice.
• Taping notes after writing them.

Worst test type:
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.
Best test type:
Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they've heard. They're also good at oral exams.

Visual

Visual learners are those who learn things best through seeing them. Visual learning students like to keep an eye on the teacher by sitting in the front of the class and watching the lecture closely. Often, visual learners will find that information "clicks" when it is explained with the aid of a chart or picture.

Have you ever drawn pictures of a biology process as you studied for a test? This may be a sign that you have instinctively practiced visual learning techniques. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar. A visual learner:

• Is good at spelling but forgets names.
• Needs quiet study time.
• Has to think awhile before understanding a speech or lecture.
• Likes colors & fashion.
• Dreams in color.
• Understands/likes charts.
• Is good with sign language.

Learning Techniques for Visual Learners

• Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
• Make outlines of everything!
• Copy what’s on the board.
• Ask the teacher to diagram.
• Diagram sentences!
• Take notes, make lists.
• Watch videos.
• Color code words, research notes.
• Outline reading.
• Use flashcards.
• Use highlighters, circle words, underline.

Best Test Type for Visual Learners:
Diagramming, reading maps, essays (if you use an outline), showing a process
Worst test type:
Listen and respond tests

Tactile

students learn in many ways, like seeing, hearing, and experiencing things first hand. But for most students, one of these methods stands out.
Why is this important? Research has shown that students can perform better on tests if they change study habits to fit their own personal learning styles.
For example, visual-learning students will sometimes struggle during essay exams, because they can't recall test material that was "heard" in a lecture.
However, if the visual learner uses a visual aid when studying, like a colorful outline of test materials, he or she may retain more information. For this type of learner, visual tools improve the ability to recall information more completely.
A simple explanation of learning styles is this: Some students remember best materials they've seen, some remember things they've heard, while others remember things they've experienced.

How can you determine your learning style?

Eventually, you may want to consult a professional or your counselor for advice on learning styles, but you may recognize your own style quickly, once you look over the characteristics. If any of the traits and characteristics below sound familiar, you may have identified your own style.

Visual Learner Characteristics

Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar. A visual learner:

• Is good at spelling but forgets names.
• Needs quiet study time.
• Has to think awhile before understanding lecture.
• Is good at spelling.
• Likes colors & fashion.
• Dreams in color.
• Understands/likes charts.
• Is good with sign language.

Learning Suggestions for Visual Learners

• Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
• Make outlines of everything!
• Copy what's on the board.
• Ask the teacher to diagram.
• Diagram sentences!
• Take notes, make lists.
• Watch videos.
• Color code words, research notes.
• Outline reading.
• Use flashcards.
• Use highlighters, circle words, underline.

Best Test Type for Visual Learners:
Diagramming, reading maps, essays (if you've studied using an outline), showing a process
Worst test type:
Listen and respond tests

Auditory Learner Characteristics

Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be an auditory learner if you are someone who:

• Likes to read to self out loud.
• Is not afraid to speak in class.
• Likes oral reports.
• Is good at explaining.
• Remembers names.
• Notices sound effects in movies.
• Enjoys music.
• Is good at grammar and foreign language.
• Reads slowly.
• Follows spoken directions well.
• Can't keep quiet for long periods.
• Enjoys acting, being on stage.
• Is good in study groups.

Auditory Learners Can Benefit from:

• Using word association to remember facts and lines.
• Recording lectures.
• Watching videos.
• Repeating facts with eyes closed.
• Participating in group discussions.
• Using audiotapes for language practice.
• Taping notes after writing them.

Worst test type:
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.
Best test type:
Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they've heard. They're also good at oral exams.

Kinesthetic Learner Characteristics

Kinesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing/doing things. Look over these traits to see if they sound familiar to you. You may be a kinesthetic learner if you are someone who:

• Is good at sports.
• Can't sit still for long.
• Is not great at spelling.
• Does not have great handwriting.
• Likes science lab.
• Studies with loud music on.
• Likes adventure books, movies.
• Likes role playing.
• Takes breaks when studying.
• Builds models.
• Is involved in martial arts, dance.
• Is fidgety during lectures.

Kinesthetic Learners Can Benefit from:

• Studying in short blocks.
• Taking lab classes.
• Role playing.
• Taking field trips, visiting museums.
• Studying with others.
• Using memory games.
• Using flash cards to memorize.<.li>

Worst Test Type:
Long tests, essays.
Best Test Type:
Short definitions, fill-ins, multiple choice.