Learning Styles

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Understand the VARK learning styles
  • Describe the different learning styles and recognize your own learning preferences.
  • Know how to benefit from your own learning style and how to expand your learning skills with the techniques of other styles.
  • Take action to learn effectively when your learning style differs from your instructor’s teaching style.

Step 1

Complete the online VARK learning styles questionnaire.

Everyone has his or her own learning style. We naturally have preferences for we each take in information.  The questionnaire you just completed will provide insight into how you prefer to learn.  There are no right or wrong or good or bad ways of learning.

Step 2

Refer to the learning styles questionnaire you just completed. Use your results to answer the questions below.    

  1. What is your visual score?
  2. What is your aural score?
  3. What is your read/write score?
  4. What is your kinesthetic score?
  5. What does your VARK score tell you about yourself?

Now go to Canvas and to the module for Week 6 and watch the video “Learning Styles”.  First watch the video of your instructor discussing the power point, then feel free to go to the actual power point presentation in the module so you can go through it at your own pace, paying extra attention to the learning styles in which you scored the highest.

Your Style, Your Instructor’s Style

Many college classes tend to focus on certain learning styles. Instructors in large lecture classes, for example, generally emphasize listening carefully and reading well. Don’t worry, however, if these are not your particular strengths, for much of this book focuses on learning study skills and other college skills related to these activities. Take responsibility for your own learning, rather than expecting the instructor to help you through the subject in your own personal way. For example, if you are a visual learner but your instructor simply stands at a podium and lectures, then provide your own visual stimulation by sketching concept maps in your notes or by visualizing how information being presented might look in a pie chart or graph.

As you move further into your college curriculum, you will likely have more small classes with class discussions, demonstrations, group presentations, and other learning activities. Once you are in classes closely related to a career path that interests you, you will find your personal style more relevant to the kinds of material you will be learning.

Much learning in college also comes from interactions with others, who often have different learning styles. Be open to interacting with other students and instructors who are different from you, and you will find yourself learning in ways that may be new to you.

Finally, if a genuine mismatch is occurring between your learning style and your instructor’s teaching style to the extent that you may not succeed in a course, talk to your instructor privately during office hours. You can explain how you best learn and ask for suggestions about other resources that may help you.

KEY TAKEAWAYs

  • People have natural learning preferences, affecting how they learn best.
  • Students should learn how to use their own learning style to their best advantage while also becoming flexible and working to develop other learning styles.
  • Students can choose specific study strategies to maximize their time studying.
  • Because your learning style may not match your instructor’s teaching style, you need to be flexible and work to develop new learning strategies essential for college success.

 

Checkpoint EXERCISES

  1. Now that you have taken the VARK, read this section of the text and viewed the power points in Canvas, please indicate your strongest learning style(s) and list five specific study strategies you can use based on your preferred way of learning.
  2. If you experience a situation in which your personal learning style seems to clash hopelessly with an instructor’s teaching style, what is your best course of action?
    1. Ask the instructor to teach in a different way.
    2. Drop the class.
    3. Adapt your style or study with other students.
    4. Complain to the dean.