understanding your learning style

RYERSON UNIVERSITY LEARNING SUPPORT SERVICES Understanding Your Learning Style The three senses used most frequently in learning are sight, hearing, and touch (which includes physical activity). The sense you most rely on when studying determines your learning style—visual, auditory, print-oriented, or kinesthetic. Determine your learning style from the following descriptions and try the suggested learning strategies. Learning Style

Learning Strategies

Visual learners usually:  learn information best when they see it

Visual learners should: --sit where they can focus on the prof --study pictures, tables, charts, graphs diagrams, slides, photographs --use diagrams, charts, mind maps, sketches to record lecture notes --create mental images of what the prof says --visualize facts to be memorized



have a strong sense of colour

--use different coloured pens to annotate notes --colour code notes, e.g., white for lecture notes, yellow for notes from text



have difficulty with spoken directions

--ask for written directions --read directions on assignments and exams



over-react to sounds

--study in a quiet environment

Auditory learners usually:  learn information best when they hear it



may have difficulty with written directions

Auditory learners should: --listen carefully to lectures --tape lectures (with the prof’s permission) --participate in class discussions --read textbooks, articles, lecture notes out loud --tape readings of texts, etc. --read their own writing out loud when working on essays --talk through problems --join a study group (both to listen and talk to others) --use memory devices with patterns of sounds (e.g., jingles, rhymes) --ask for directions or exam questions to be read aloud or put on tape

Print-oriented learners usually:  learn best from reading 

remember information they write down

Kinesthetic learners usually:  learn best by experiencing information

Print-oriented learners should: --do all assigned readings for class --do supplementary reading from other texts, etc. --take notes on readings and from lectures --review notes regularly Kinesthetic learners should: --act out ideas through role playing --play simulation games --make models, do labs and experiments --use hands-on activities --learn by trial and error (try different approaches until something works)



learn during physical activity

--move about the room while studying --trace words to remember facts --rewrite or type notes to reinforce learning --use gestures to help them memorize formulae or steps in a process --review material, solve problems, memorize while walking or exercising



have difficulty sitting still

--take frequent breaks from studying and do something physical

If you find that your preferred learning style isn’t working for a particular course, try strategies for other learning styles. For instance, if you’re a visual learner, try talking through the steps when solving a math problem. If you’re an auditory learning, try making a chart summarizing key concepts. The more “tools” there are in your learning “toolbox,” the better able you’ll be to master course content and do well on exams.