Learning Styles
The three most common learning styles are:
Visual
Auditory
Physical (Kinesthetic)
Visual Learners learn by watching. They use images to remember, creating a picture in their heads. To learn spelling, for example, they may picture the way a word looks.
Visual learners may also:
Enjoy art and drawing
Read maps, charts and diagrams well
Like mazes and puzzles
Teaching methods for visual learners include:
Making flash cards for key information
Drawing symbols or pictures
Visually highlighting key words and pictures
Making charts to organize information
Translating words and ideas into symbols, pictures and diagrams
Using to-do lists, assignment logs and written notes (also benefits physical learners)
Auditory learners benefit from traditional teaching techniques. They learn well when directions are read aloud or information is presented and requested verbally. They remember facts when presented in a poem, song or melody.
Auditory learners also like:
To tell stories and jokes
To play word games
To use tape recorders
Teaching methods for auditory learners include:
Reading out loud together
Encouraging them to read out loud when they study, so they can "hear" the instruction
Studying with a partner, so they can talk out the solutions to problems
Writing out a sequence of steps to solve a problem, then reading the steps out loud
Physical learners learn best through movement and physical manipulation. They like to find out how things work and want to touch, feel and experience what they are being asked to learn. Most kindergartners are physical learners, but by second or third grade their learning styles may change to visual or auditory. However, half of all students in high school and beyond remain physical learners.
Physical learners may also:
Need to manipulate, handle and try things out
Have a short attention span
Need to be moving to learn
Show you things rather than telling you about them
Teaching methods for physical learners include:
Letting them participate in science or math laboratories
Creating and participating in dramatic productions
Going on field trips
Creating and performing skits and dances
Encouraging them to take notes and draw diagrams
Having them make models.* Excerpt taken from American Career Resource website
Below is some really great websites on this topic.
Building a Learning Styles classroom Part I
Powerpoints
Printouts
