Leverage Your Learning Style

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Auditory

The second most common learning preference is auditory. Auditory learners understand ideas more quickly when they hear them spoken. Surprisingly, the book reading programming student mentioned earlier is probably an auditory learner. That's because most of people read books by hearing the words in their mind.

If you are an auditory learner, you may be talkative, and may have a tendency to "think out loud." You probably enjoy listening to music, and remember song lyrics. You remember someone's name more easily than what they look like, and take pleasure in engaging in conversation.

Students with a auditory learning style learn most efficiently by hearing the material. This can be accomplished by attending lectures, participating in discussions (perhaps through a study group), and listening to audio tapes. Some auditory learners find it very useful to recite information aloud, and to ask questions. Reading, is often popular among people with this learning style, as well.

When memorizing things, use rhymes, acronyms, and other mnemonics to improve recall. Tape record important lectures so you can listen to them again later. If you use flashcards, read them and answer them aloud. Consider creating a self-quiz on tape by recording a question, a pause, and then the answer. When you play the tape back later, recite the answer before the tape machine does.

Tactile/kinesthetic

The third learning style identified under this framework is called tactile/kinesthetic. Some researchers further subdivide this category into two: tactile for people w ho learn through touching and kinesthetic for those who learn best through incorporating large muscle movement, but this is not a clear distinction.

People with a tactile/kinesthetic learning style learn best through touch, movement, and manipulation. If you abhor reading directions and prefer to jump right in and figure things out as you go along, you are probably in this category. Perhaps you also find it difficult to sit still through long lectures or film presentations. Tactile/kinesthetic learners often enjoy physical activities and crafts.

To cater to this learning style, choose instructional methods that physically involve you. These include hands on labs, tutorials, and simulations that allow you to interact with the technology area. You may also find it beneficial to avoid study marathons; instead, study for multiple short periods with breaks in between.

Other strategies that work well for this type of learner include rewriting notes, drawing out relationships between ideas and concepts, and even just walking around while working to memorize facts.

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