Learning Styles
- Page ID
- 221496
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Learning Styles
The way a person prefers to learn is called his/her learning style. There is no right or wrong, good or bad learning style. It has nothing to do with intelligence or skills. It has everything to do with the way a person's brain works to learn and store information efficiently. Since everyone learns differently, understanding learning styles can help you become a better tutor. By examining learning styles, you will become aware of how each person's brain learns best. This awareness gives you and your tutees the chance to study effectively. It’s important to be aware of information about learning styles as well as tips on how to tutor students with learning styles different from yours. The study of learning styles is quite complex. While there is a general agreement that we all learn in a unique way, there are many different theories as to defining and categorizing the various ways that people think and learn. For the purposes of this lesson, and diagnosing your approach to learning, we will focus on the more common or general theories. The most basic inventories group people into three categories: Auditory (learn by hearing), Tactile (learn by doing), and Visual (learn by seeing or writing). In order for tutors to know how to work with tutees of diverse learning styles, you will first need to be aware of your own learning strengths. Everyone has a combination of ways in which s/he learns. But most people have a predominant style. You should use your self-assessment scores to start thinking about how you most effectively study and learn. You may also want to try to broaden your learning styles—it never hurts to try to improve one’s auditory comprehension if one is a primary visual learner. Taking a multi-sensory approach will both help overall comprehension and ability to retain information through many avenues for learning. Refer to the charts below to get a better understanding of the 3 sensory learning styles.
It’s important to be aware of your own learning strengths, but it’s just as important for a tutor to be aware of other learning styles. Tutors should look for clues to how their students think and learn. You can conduct an informal assessment without making it obvious to the tutee. You will notice characteristics of their learning styles in the way they take notes, talk about their teachers, react to their assignments, and respond to your questions. You can ask them some of the same questions you answered in your self assessment. Once you have an idea about your tutee’s learning style, you should apply certain techniques that compliment his/her thinking. Look over these tutoring tips: Tutoring Tips based on Learning Style
Integrating these ideas into your tutoring will improve the learning relationship. You will be modeling study behavior that the tutee can use in the classroom and when studying independently. Research on learning styles can get rather complex and theoretical. You are not expected to be an expert on the subject, but it’s important that tutors are aware of the variation in thinking and learning. Remember, it’s important to keep the tutoring session fun and unintimidating. Visit the website Humor and the Multiple Intelligences to get some ideas on how to use humor with different kinds of learners. There are many other theories, formulas, and approaches to studying learning styles. One of the foremost educational researchers on the subject is Howard Gardner. His theory on Multiple Intelligences is more in depth than the Sensory Learning Styles that we looked at above. Gardner’s continuing work on the way people think and learn is broadening educators’ perspectives and including more people in the learning community. -If you are interested in finding out more about your learning preferences, you should take The Multiple Intelligence Inventory. Another common study of human thinking involves the left and right sides of the brain. You might have heard references to a person being left-brained or right-brained. We have to be careful not to oversimplify this and other theories. -It’s also important to avoid using these theories as excuses or stereotypes that pigeonhole people instead of providing useful information. Look at this site on Left or Right Brain?. Take the test "Are You Right Brained or Left Brained?" at the bottom of the page. This will provide you with further understanding of the way we think and learn. Each student learns differently, at a different rate, using different learning styles. Everyone has a learning style. Our style of learning, if accommodated, can result in improved attitudes toward learning, as well as increased self-esteem and academic achievement. By identifying your learning style and becoming familiar with other styles, you will become a more effective and creative tutor.
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