Learning Styles

Learning Styles: Why are they important?

Do you ever have difficulty learning something? If so, then you are probably processing the information outside of your learning style. Your learning style influences your level of learning success.

It is important to understand that there is no “best” way to learn. There are many different learning styles, and different styles are suited to different people and/or situations (Carter, et al., 1999).

Learning style is a particular way in which the mind receives and processes information (Carter, et al.,1999).

Discovering Your Learning Style

Multiple Intelligences Theory

Howard Gardner believes that there are at least eight distinct intelligences possessed by all people, and that every person has developed some intelligences more fully than others (Carter, et al., 1999).

According to this theory, when you find a task or subject easy, you are probably using a more fully developed intelligence; when you have more trouble, you are probably using a less developed intelligence (Carter, et al., 1999).

Gardner defines intelligence as an ability to solve problems or fashion products that are useful in a particular cultural setting or community (Carter, et al., 1999).

8 Intelligences:

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence—ability to communicate through language (listening, reading, writing, speaking)

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence—ability to understand logical reasoning and problem solving (math, science, patterns, sequences)

	Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence—ability to use the physical body skillfully and to take in knowledge through bodily sensation (coordination, working with hands)
	Visual-Spatial Intelligence—ability to understand spatial relationships and to perceive and create images (visual art, graphic design, charts and maps)
	Interpersonal Intelligence—ability to relate to others, noticing their moods, motivations, and feelings (social activity, cooperative learning, teamwork)
	Intrapersonal Intelligence—ability to understand one’s own behavior and feelings (independence, time spent alone)
	Musical Intelligence—ability to comprehend and create meaningful sound (music, sensitivity to sound)
	Naturalistic Intelligence—ability to understand features of the environment (interest in nature, environmental balance, ecosystem, stress relief brought by natural environments.

Remember: Learn as much as you can about your preferences and how you can maximize your learning. Do not label yourself into one category. Most people are a mixture of styles and preferences and your preferences may change depending on the situation (Carter, et al., 1999).

Click here to discover your learning style by completing the Multiple Intelligence Inventory!

Follow this link to find out more about learning styles and to complete another assessment!

Benefits of Knowing Your Learning Style

General Benefits:

You will have a better chance of avoiding problematic situations. Knowing how you learn and how you relate to the world can help you make smarter choices.

	You will be more successful on the job. If you know how you learn, you will be able to look for an environment that suits you the best and you’ll be able to work effectively on work teams.
	You will be more able to target areas that need improvement. The more you know about your learning styles, the more you will be able to pinpoint the areas that are more difficult for you.

Classroom Benefits:

You can bring extra focus to your weaker learning-style areas.

You can ask your instructor for additional help.

You can “convert” class material during study time.

Study Benefits:

Knowing your learning style presents you with study techniques that can complement your style.

Bodily-Kinesthetic and Interpersonal learners - like to apply the information to the real world, experience it in their own actions, or discuss or explain to others what they have learned.

Suggested study tips:

	Study in a group in which members take turns explaining topics to each other and then discussing them.
	Think of practical uses of the course material.
	Pace and recite while you learn.
	Act out material or design games.
	Use flashcards with other people.
	Teach the material to someone else.

Intrapersonal and Logical/mathematical learners -retain and understand information better after they have taken time to think about it.

Suggested study tips:

	Study in a quiet setting.
	When you are reading, stop periodically to think about what you have read.
	Don’t just memorize material; think about why it is important and what it relates to, considering the causes and effects involved.
	Write short summaries of what the material means to you.

Visual/spatial learners-remember best what they see: diagrams, flow charts, time lines, films, and demonstrations. They tend to forget spoken words and ideas.

Suggested study tips:

	Add diagrams to your notes whenever possible. Dates can be drawn on a time-line; math functions can be graphed; percentages can be drawn in a pie chart.
	Organize your notes so you can clearly see main points and supporting facts and how things are connected.
	Connect related facts to your notes by drawing arrows.
	Color-code your notes with highlighters so that everything related to a topic is the same color.

Verbal/linguistic learners- (often interpersonal learners) remember much of what they hear and more what they hear and then say.

Suggested study tips:

	Talk about what you learn. Work in study groups so that you have an opportunity to explain and discuss what you are learning.
	Read the textbook and highlight not more than 10 percent.
	Rewrite your notes.
	Outline chapters.
	Recite information or write scripts and debates.

Musical/rhythmic learners-have strong memories for rhymes and can be energized by music.

Suggested study tips:

	Create rhymes out of vocabulary words.
	Beat out rhythms when studying.
	Play instrumental music while studying if it does not distract you, but first determine what type of music most improves your concentration.
	Take study breaks and listen to music.
	Write a rap about your topic.

Naturalistic learners-feel energized when they are connected to nature.

Suggested study tips:

	Study outside whenever practical, but only if it’s not distracting.
	Explore subject areas that reflect your love for nature. Learning is much easier when you have a passion for it.
	Relate abstract information to something concrete in nature.
	Take breaks to do something you love related to nature—take a walk or watch your fish or a nature video. Use nature as a reward for getting other work done.

Carter, C., Bishop, J., Bixby, M., & Kravits, S. L. (1999). Keys to study skills: Opening doors to learning. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.