LEARNING ABOUT LEARNING

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: AFTER COMPLETING THE TEXTBOOK READING AND REVIEWING THIS SLIDESHOW, STUDENTS WILL DEFINE THE TERM MULTIMODAL LEARNING AND IDENTIFY TWO MEANS BY WHICH THEY COULD STRENGTHEN LESSER PREFERENCES OF LEARNING.

SDV 100: Chapter 3 Learning Styles

Created by: Meg Buchanan Foster SDv 100 fall 2010

VARK

VisualAural

Read/Write Kinesthetic

Learning: Do What Comes Naturally?

Grab a writing utensil and piece of scratch paper. Listen and follow the directions!

Multimodal: Defining the Term

Formal definition: Having or involving several modes (Merriam-Webster).

For our purposes: A student who engages multiple methods, ways or styles of learning when they learn.

Multimodal learners are often more successful as they are more flexible in their learning style.

Army Research Laboratory (2010). Retrieved October 29, 2010, from: http://search.creativecommons.org/#

Getting the Most Out of Learning

Don’t get frustrated; learning to maximize all of the styles of learning can only enhance your success as a student!

Jastremski, M. (Photographer). Broken Pencil [Photograph], Retrieved October 27, 2010, from: http://openphoto.net/gallery/image.html?image_id=5468

Visual

Grebe, H. (Graphic Designer). 3D Eyes [Illustration], Retrieved October 27, 2010, from: www.mediaspin.com

To increase your visual learning style, adopt one of the following practices:

1. In reviewing your notes, draw pictures to illustrate key points.

2. In reading or reviewing notes, use highlighters or colored pens to draw attention to important passages.

3. Use graphs, charts, maps and flowcharts to emphasize key concepts.

Aural

Ait-Kass, K. (Photographer). Hearing [Photograph]. Retrieved October 27, 2010, from http://secondarycontent.pbworks.com/Learning-Styles.

To increase your skills as an aural learner, utilize these recommendations:

1. Form a study group or find a study partner who you can discuss key topics or ideas with.

2. Read your notes or textbook out loud.

3. Record your instructor’s lectures (with permission) and listen after class or listen to any podcasts of class information.

Read/Write

To expand your read/write learning style, adopt one of these practices as you learn:

1. Take detailed lecture notes; the goal is to take notes that are nearly word-for-word what the faculty member shares.

2. Write out your lecture notes multiple times (to practice being a multimodal learner, use different colors to record your notes or draw pictures to illustrate key concepts).

Kinesthetic

Untitled cartoon image. Retrieved October 27, 2010 , from: http://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/1_StudySkills/study_tuts/learning%20styles/kinesthetic.html

To expand abilities as a kinesthetic learner, utilize one of these suggestions:

1. Pay attention to real-life examples that teachers share.

2. Use case studies to help grasp abstract principles.

3. Go on field trips or review photos, exhibits, samples, etc. to enhance your learning.

VARK Conclusion

The main point is to practice using non-dominant learning styles to expand your skills as a learner.

Remember, if you have any questions, I am available during office hours or by appointment, and I welcome the opportunity to speak with you more about how you can maximize your potential as a learner!