Using Your Learning Style to Your Advantage

John Pearson Center for Tutoring & Academic Excellence

jpearson3@luc.eduwww.luc.edu/tutoring

Goals for tonight

• Overview of learning style (VAK)• How to effectively use your style to improve

learning• How to use peers, and other learning styles, to

improve comprehension

A little about you

• How do you currently take notes during lecture?

• How do you internalize information that you are learning?

• How are you currently studying?• How often do you work in group settings?

Learning Styles Inventory

Take some time to answer honestly

Discussion

What are learning styles?

• Manner in which one’s brain comprehend and store information

• Different types– VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic)

Suggestions for Visual Learners

• Use visual materials – Brain storm bubble or picture

– Write a story and illustrate it

– Use color and color-coding in

text

– Use mnemonics, acronyms,

visual chains, and mind maps

– Create charts / diagrams

to demonstrate key points

• Visualize information as a

picture to aid memorization

• Have a clear view of teachers

• Take notes or request handouts

• Study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbances

Visual Learners Cont.

• Computers – Organize materials and

to create graphs, tables, charts, and spreadsheets

• When explaining something, write the explanation down

• Organize your material. – The more you organize your

notes and study material, the easier it will be for you to remember content.

• Actively review any photographs or diagrams in your textbook.

• Make and use flashcards for studying.  – The act of writing the cards

and viewing them will increase comprehension.

Suggestions for Auditory Learners

• Participate in class discussions/debates – speeches and presentations

• Use a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notes and review these tapes while you drive.

• Go over all important facts aloud• Use verbal analogies, and story telling to demonstrate your point • Create mnemonics and word links to aid memorization • Discuss your ideas verbally

– Dictate to someone while they write down your thoughts

• Create musical jingles to aid memorization

Auditory Learners Cont.

• Make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names.• Join or create a study group, or to get a study partner

– Explain the material you are trying to learn to a study partner

• To learn a sequence of steps, write them out in sentence form, then read them out loud

• When learning new information, state the problem out loud. Reason through solutions out loud.

Suggestions for Kinesthetic Learners

• Move around to learn new things – Read while on an exercise

bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept

• Work at a standing position • Chew gum while studying • Use bright colors to

highlight reading material • If you wish, listen to music

while you study

• Skim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.

• Sit near the front of their classroom to take notes. – Will help in focusing on the

lecture

Kinesthetic Learners Cont.

• Hold the book in your hand

while reading

• Write while you are reading or

talking.

– Use the computer to reinforce

learning using their sense of

touch

• Make models that demonstrate

the key concept. 

– The purpose here is the act of

making the model.

• Use hands-on experience when possible

• Participate in any field trips offered.

• Associate feelings with information.

Why is it important to know your learning style?

• Improved skills in learning complex ideas• Efficiency in studying and reading• How to best work within groups• Ability to create environment that fosters

personal style

Why else do you think it is beneficial to know your learning style?

Your professor is not teaching nor willing to teach in a manner

that speaks to your learning style,

What should you do?

What to do…

1. Be more hands on with your independent learning

2. When you get home, review your notes in your preferred learning style method

3. Do your own research!– Look for videos– Look for additional articles or books to read

4. Come to class extra prepared

Resources

• CTAE offers different opportunities for collaborative learning– Small group tutoring– Study buddy directory– Academic coaching groups– Tutor-led study halls

• Visit luc.edu/tutoring for more details