Page 105 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners learn best through moving, doing and touching. They,

therefore, learn best with a hands-on approach. They actively explore the physical world
around them by touching and physically interacting. Kinesthetic/tactile learners typically
find that engaging in physical activities actually helps them as they think and solve problems.
They typically speak with their hands and use other body language to communicate. They may remember
information, such as a phone number, by actually moving their fingers as if to dial or type the number. When
they are learning a new skill, they would much prefer to be able to physically manipulate it, if possible,
rather then read about how it might work.

Visual/Verbal Learners learn best when information is presented visually and in a

written language format. They depend on the textbook for getting information and take
notes when they are listening to a lecture. They typically have a very good vocabulary and
enjoy writing. They often see information as words, paragraphs, and pages when trying to
remember something.

Auditory Learners learn through listening and therefore enjoy lectures and discussions,

talking things through (self-talk) and hearing what others have to say. Auditory learners are
wonderful at interpreting meaning by listening to the tone of voice, speed and other nuances.
Until written information is heard, it has little meaning. When trying to remember something, they can
often hear the way someone told it to them, or the way they had previously repeated it out loud. They learn
best when interacting with others in a listening/speaking exchange.

Visual/Nonverbal Learners learn through seeing and are most comfortable with

pictures, colors, images, maps diagrams, videos, slides, and so on. They can easily visualize
problems and solutions. They often have a very good sense of direction and are experts at
reading maps. During a classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed
notes to absorb the information. When trying to remember something, they often visualize
a picture of it in their minds. Visual learners love to draw and doodle.

We will use an online inventory to give you a better sense of your preferred learning style. It’s important
to know, though, that although we each have a preferred style, we can learn in any of these ways.

USING TECHNOLOGY

Find Your Preferred Style

There are many choices of Learning Style Inventories on the Internet, any of which can help you get a better
sense of your preferred learning style. Visit the FOL resources for Chapter 4 online (www.pcrest2.com/fol)
for a Learning Style Inventory that most closely corresponds to the model given above.

After you’ve taken the inventory, report your preferred style in the Critical Reflection which follows. Did
you find your results surprising? Also, look at Table 4.1 and find suggestions for addressing your learning
style as you learn.

Chapter 4 — Learning to Learn 99