Students Learning Preferences

Concrete examples for teaching

Kinetic

People with the kinesthetic learning style learn best by doing: moving around and handling physical objects. They like to explore the outdoors, are often very coordinated, may excel in athletics and performing arts, and usually express their feelings physically, such as with hugging and hitting. They prefer trying new skills for themselves rather than being given directions or shown a demonstration. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods of time and struggle with reading and spelling.

• Let the child try something first before you give detailed instructions.
• Provide plenty of hands-on learning tools, such as crayons, blocks, puzzles, maps, modelling clay, science experiments, an abacus, and a geoboard (a square board with pegs used to teach shapes and geometric concepts).
• Don’t limit the study space to the usual desk. Allow the child to study while moving around, lying on the floor, or slouching in a couch.
• Use the outdoors for learning opportunities.
• Teach educational concepts through games and projects.
• Assign presentations in which children demonstrate concepts or skills.
• Encourage physical movement while studying. For example, quiz the child while taking a walk around the block.
• Give breaks frequently

Visual

People with a visual learning style absorb information by seeing it in front of them and storing the images in their brains. They often enjoy reading, have good handwriting, are very detail-oriented, are organized, and have a keen awareness of colors and shapes.

They tend to struggle with verbal directions and are easily distracted by noise. They remember people’s faces better than their names, and they often need to maintain eye contact with a person to concentrate on a conversation.

• Easily understands graphic depictions of things/Diagrams
• Write out directions.
• Use visuals when teaching lessons, such as pictures, charts, diagrams, maps, and outlines.
• Physically demonstrate tasks.
• Use visual aids such as flashcards and blocks.
• Show the visual patterns in language to teach spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Organize information using color codes.
• Talk with the child face-to-face and make eye contact whenever possible.
• When directions are given verbally, encourage the child to ask for clarification when he/she doesn’t understand fully.
• Encourage the child to write plenty of notes and organize information on paper and with objects.
• Provide a quiet, neat place to study, and minimize distractions as much as possible.

Verbal-Audio

Verbal language is the prime form for exchanging information for those within the auditory learning style. They learn best by hearing and speaking. They often talk more than the average person, are very social, enjoy hearing stories and jokes, understand concepts by talking about them, and may excel in music or the performing arts.

Some auditory learners read slowly and have trouble writing, struggle to follow written directions, and have a tough time staying quiet for long stretches of time. They remember names and recognize tone of voice well, while not always remembering people’s faces. They often hum or sing, and they may whisper to themselves while reading.

• Prefers learning through listening
• Likes tasks involving speaking/Expression

• Play word games and use rhymes to practice language.
• Have the child read aloud, even when alone, and follow the text with her finger.
• Allow the child to explain concepts verbally and give oral reports.
• Have the child memorize information by repeating it aloud.
• Assign projects and study times to be done in small and large groups.
• Read aloud often to young children.
• Provide a personal voice recorder the child can use to record notes or questions.
• Use beats, rhythms, and songs to reinforce educational information

Introverted

Introverted people are territorial – desire private space and time Are happy to be alone – they become tired around large groups of people. Act cautiously in meeting people Are reserved and quiet. Do not share private thoughts with just anyone will have a few very close friends See reflection as very important Concentrate well and deeply Become absorbed in thoughts and ideas Limit their interests but explore deeply Get agitated and irritated without enough time alone or undisturbed

• Prefer to work on own rather than do group work

• Prefers reading silently rather than aloud
• Communicate best one-on-one
• Does not enjoy being the center of attention
• Thinks carefully before speaking  

Extroverted

Are social – they need other people Demonstrate high energy and noise Communicate with excitement and enthusiasm with almost anyone in the vicinity  Engage in lots of activities and have many interest areas Have many best friends and talk to them for long periods of time Draw energy from people. Are lonely and restless when not with people Establish multiple fluid relationships Share personal information easily

• Prefers to work in small groups

• Prefers reading aloud rather than silently

• Are interested in external events not internal ones Prefer face-to-face verbal communication rather than written communication
• Respond quickly