Learning  Styles  Inventory  and  Strategies  

Have you ever tried to learn something fairly simple but found it difficult to grasp the key ideas? Or tried to teach people
and found that some were overwhelmed or confused by something quite basic?
Everyone person has a different way of learning. Knowing your learning style can help you prepare yourself for academic
success. What’s your learning style?

Visual  Learners  
Description:  
— Prefer to see information such as pictures, — Overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied
diagrams, cartoons, demonstrations by lecture
— Picture words and concepts they hear as images — Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash
cards when studying
— Easily distracted in lecture with no visual aids

Visual  Learning  Study  Tips:  

— Copy what's on the board — Watch videos — Use highlighters, circle
words, underline
— Ask the teacher to diagram — Outline reading
— Take notes, make lists — Use flashcards

Auditory  Learners  
Description:    
— Prefer to hear information spoken — Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate
— Can absorb a lecture with little effort — May read aloud to themselves
— May not need careful notes to learn — Like background music when they study

Auditory  Learning  Study  Tips:  

— Using word association to — Repeating facts with eyes — Using audiotapes for
remember facts and lines closed language practice
— Recording lectures — Participating in group — Taping notes after writing
discussions them
— Watching videos

Kinesthetic  Learners  
Description:  
— Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in — Create study sheets connected to vivid examples
information
— Role-playing can help them learn and
— In traditional lecture situations, they should remember important ideas
write out important facts

Kinesthetic  Learning  Study  Tips:  

— Studying in short blocks — Taking field trips, visiting museums
— Taking lab classes — Studying with others
— Role playing — Using memory games and flashcards

 
  

Learning  Style  Quiz  

Read the following questions and circle the letter of the best answer in your opinion. There is no right or wrong answers
to this quiz. Just circle what you usually prefer.

1. When learning how to use my computer, I prefer to: 10. On Saturday, I would prefer to:
A. Read the manual first A. See a movie
B. Have someone explain how to do it first B. Go to a concert
C. Just start using the computer and get help if I C. Participate in athletics or be outside
need it 11. In a college class, it is most important to have:
2. When getting directions to a new location, it is easier A. A good textbook with pictures, graphs and
to: diagrams
A. Look at a map B. A good teacher who has interesting lectures
B. Have someone tell me how to get there C. Hands-on activities
C. Follow someone or have them take me there 12. It is easier to study by:
3. To remember a phone number, I: A. Reading and reviewing the material
A. Look at the number and dial it several times B. Discussing the subject with others
B. Repeat it silently or out loud to myself several C. Writing notes or outlines
times 13. When I get lost, I prefer to:
C. Remember the number by the pattern pressed A. Look at the map
on the keypad, the tones of each number or by B. Call or ask for directions
writing it down C. Drive around the area until I recognize familiar
4. For relaxation, I prefer to: landmarks
A. Read a book or magazine 14. When cooking, I often:
B. Listen to or play music A. Look for new recipes
C. Go for a walk or do something physical B. Talk to others to get new ideas
5. I am better at: C. Put it together and it generally comes out OK
A. Reading 15. When assembling a new toy or piece of furniture, I
B. Talking usually:
C. Physical activities A. Read the instructions first
6. In school, I learn best by: B. Talk myself through each step
A. Reading C. Start putting it together and read the directions if
B. Listening I get stuck
C. Hands-on activities 16. When solving a problem, it is more useful to:
7. I tend to be a: A. Read a best-selling book on the topic
A. Thinker B. Talk over the options with a trusted friend
B. Talker C. Do something about it
C. Doer 17. Which statement do you like the best:
8. When I study for a test, it works best when I: A. A picture is worth a thousand words
A. Read and picture the information in my head B. Talk to me and I can understand.
B. Read and say the ideas out loud or silently C. Just do it.
C. Highlight, write notes and outlines 18. When I was a child, my mother said I:
9. It is easier for me to remember: A. Spent a lot of time reading, taking photos or
A. Faces drawing
B. Names B. Had lots of friends and was always talking to
C. Events someone on the phone
C. Was always taking things apart to see how they
worked
 SCORE  YOUR  QUIZ:  
• Visual Learners _____ Count your number of A’s above
• Auditory Learners _____ Count your number of B’s above
• Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners _____ Count your number of C’s above

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