types of learners

TYPES OF LEARNERS

To understand how to move from passive to active learning, it is important to understand the different types of learners. There are three primary learning styles: visual, auditory  and  kinesthetic. People learn using a variety of these methods, but one method is usually predominant. Familiarity with the characteristics of each learning style and associated strategies allows you to address the needs of each type of learner.

Visual Learners

* They tend to be fast talkers.

 *They exhibit impatience and have a tendency to interrupt.

 *They use words and phrases that evoke visual images.

 *They learn by seeing and visualizing.

Your teaching strategy for visual learners should include the use of demonstrations and visually pleasing materials, and you should make an effort to paint mental pictures for learners.

Auditory Learners

* They speak slowly and tend to be natural listeners.

* They think in a linear manner.

Part I: Teaching and Learning Styles

*They prefer to have things explained to them verbally rather than to read written information.

*They learn by listening and verbalizing.

Your teaching strategy for auditory learners should sound good and should be planned and delivered in the form of an organized conversation.

Kinesthetic Learners

*They tend to be the slowest talkers of all.

* They tend to be slow to make decisions.

* They use all their senses to engage in learning.

* They learn by doing and solving real-life problems.

* They like hands-on approaches to things and learn through trial and error.

Your teaching strategy for kinesthetic learners should include hands on demonstrations and case examples to be discussed and solved.