Introduction

This section contains a brief introduction to learning styles or preferences. It provides an example of a form that can help you and your students identify your learning style or preference. After the form there is a description of the various styles, their strengths and weaknesses, along with links to web sites with more detailed information. The final section is a brief description of a learning theory that breaks the learning process down into four stages.

The purpose of this section is to familiarize you with the theory that people have learning preferences or styles. Learning theorists have discovered that not everyone has the same learning preference/style. Based on a person's learning preference/style he/she may process information or learn information in different ways. As instructors learning styles can have implications for the way courses are taught and students are expected to perform.

The intention of our presentation of learning styles is to help you help your students to be more effective learners. The theory is not intended to pigeonhole or stereo type students or suggest any person is limited to one style or preference. If fact a Learning Styles Inventory can be used to encourage

"Matters of Style," an article by Richard Felder, Chemical Engineering Dept., North Carolina State University describes four different ways of categorizing learning styles and the impact these theories have had on his teaching.

I. Learning Style Assessment Form

Directions: Place a number by each statement to reflect how well it describes you. Try to record your first response, don't deliberate for any length of time on one question. Then, total each section's score.

3 = most like me

2 = somewhat like me

1 = not like me

Section #1

	I often see clear visual images when I close my eyes or think about something.
	I am sensitive to color.
	I enjoy jigsaw puzzles, mazes and other visual puzzles.
	I can comfortably imagine how something might appear if it were looked down upon from directly above. (a bird's eye view)
	Total score for section #1 =

Section #2

	I like working with my hands on concrete activities.
	My best ideas often come when I am out on a long walk or jog, or when I am engaged in some other kind of physical activity.
	I need to touch things in order to learn more about them.
	I need to practice a new skill rather than simply read or see a video about it.
	Total score for section #2 =

Section #3

	I get more out of listening to the radio or spoken word than I do from a TV or film.
	I can hear words in my head before I read, speak, or write them down.
	I enjoy entertaining myself with tongue twisters, rhymes or puns.
	I  like to talk through a problem.
	Total score for section #3 =

Section #4

	I love to read.
	I easily remember ideas from a printed page.
	I like to learn on my own- give me the material and I'll learn it myself.
	After reading printed material I can repeat it back verbally or by writing it on a test.
	Total score for section #4 =

Section #5

	I like working in groups.
	I like the exchange of ideas through discussion with others.
	I get more out of a dinner conversation than a formal class.
	My best understanding comes after participating in a group process.
	Total score for section #5 =

Learning Styles Distribution:

Section #1 describes a visual learner.	My score is:
Section #2 describes a kinesthetic learner.	My score is:
Section #3 describes an auditory learner.	My score is:
Section #4 describes a print-oriented learner.	My score is:
Section #5 describes a group-interactive learner.	My score is :

Web Resources:

1. Learning Style Inventory - this is an alternative inventory that identifies auditory, tactile, and visual preferences.

II. Learning Styles Descriptions

Visual	Depends on sight to learn. Learns best when watching or observing and hearing a description that evokes a visual image. Benefit from diagrams, overhead, transparencies, flip charts, graphics, videos, etc. Talks using visual figures of speech. Doodling while listening may assist with memory more than words. Strengths: Ability to think creatively. Weaknesses: Risks being seen as inattentive (doodling, closing eyes).
Kinesthetic	Likes to touch or move while learning. Benefits from role playing and practice (actually doing what is being learned). Expresses well through gesture, dance, posture, etc. Skillful in doing rather than talking. Strengths: Brings a greater sense of connection with their bodies. Weaknesses: Risks being seen as restless or hyperactive.
Auditory	Takes in and remembers through listening to sounds and voice. Learns best through verbal descriptions, repetition (verbally, summarizing what they learned is helpful for the retention of information), and traditional classroom lectures. Strengths: Easily sits though lectures. Weaknesses: Risks confining their learning to the limits of words alone.
Print-Oriented	Loves to read the printed page rather than see a movie, video, lecture explanations, etc. Self-learners when there is easy access to books, newspapers, periodicals, written material on computers, etc. Strengths: Able to absorb knowledge form source material. Weaknesses: Because written word is so linear, the mind risks being lured into exclusive thought patterns.
Group-Interactive	Learns best when involved in discussions and other activities that require the participation of others. Like to exchange ideas and lose interest if unable to give their views, thoughts, opinions etc. Understands things after experiencing them as part of a group process. Strengths: Freely exchanges ideas. Weaknesses: Learning may be group-based rather than individual-based.

From Armstrong,T. (1999)7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying & Developing Your Multiple Intelegences. Plum:NewYork.

III. Learning New Skills, Behaviors or Concepts

Learning new skills behaviors or concepts can be viewed as process that takes place in stages.

Simplified view of stages of learning:

1. Awareness and understanding of concept or content
2. Practice and "mental anchor" of concept or content
3. Able to review and apply concept or content

A more in-depth look at four stages of learning, reminds us that learning is a process. As you read through the chart try to relate each stage with an example from a past learning experience.

A Four Stage Process of Learning

	State of Mind	Skill Level	Feeling Level
Stage I	unconscious (no recognition)	incompetent (unable to do)	unaware (no response)
Stage II	conscious (about need to learn)	incompetent (unable to do)	guilt/frustration/anger OR patient/calm/confident OR elation/excitement about newness (doesn't know how)
Stage III (practice stage)	conscious (knows more)	partial competence (unable to do well)	clumsy/difficult (trying)
Stage IV	unconscious (no recognition)	competent (does with ease)	unaware (capable)

As an instructor think about your course in terms of the stages of learning. Most classes spend the most time in the first stage, building students' awareness of concepts or content. However, according to this theory, all stages need to be addressed in order for learning to take place. This means as an instructor it is necessary to provide a safe environment for practice and validate students' feelings of frustration, anxiety, guilt and anger. As learners enter stages II and III, they may also respond to the learning experience with apathy, a defensive attitude or become passive aggressive. If you experience these attitudes in your classroom, try to create a positive environment for learning, increase support structures among students and decrease competition as much as possible.

From Hart,L.(1983) Human Brain and Human Learning. Longman: New York.

Web Resources

1. Learning Theories - This is a link to a brief description of ten learning theories.

2. Mind/Brain Learning Principles- This is lists twelve principles of learning as they are related to the human brain.

3. Emotional Intelligence- This is a recent hot topic in education and business. It has a brief description of the term and how it is being used.

4. Study Tips Based on Learning Styles - If you decide to give your students a Learning Style Inventory like the one above you may want to follow up with information from this site. The site provides study tips for students based on their learning preferences.

5. Cooperative Learning - In the About Learning section, this site provides a link describing intelligence styles and gives suggestions for incorporating these ideas into a lesson plan. This also classifies different types of learning activities.

6. New Students - New Learning Styles - by Charles C. Schroeder. This article whose studies show students learn best in classrooms that use "small group discussions and projects, in-class presentations and debates, carefully monitored experimental learning, peer critiques, team projects, service learning, field experiences, developing simulations, and utilizing the case method approach."

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