What is your Learning Style?

Each of us has a unique and individual style of learning.
At school many of us were told that there is a "right" and a "wrong" way to learn.
As adults we still carry around these ideas about education and "good" and "bad" ways to learn something.
 

When we have to learn something new we may be using methods which don't suit our individual learning style.

Research shows that if you learn in a way that fits your preferred learning style you will make improvements in your learning and also increase your confidence and self-esteem.

Start to notice how you need and prefer to learn and ask yourself the questions on these pages.

You should also remember that...

No learning style is better or worse than another.

 

Most of the information here is based on the Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles Model.

When thinking about these questions imagine you are learning something new, or trying to concentrate on difficult material....

1. Lighting.

Think about the kind of lighting you prefer to be in when you're learning something new. Do you prefer

  • bright lighting.
  • dim or low lighting.
  • neither/not important.

Many dyslexic learners experience visual disturbances with black on white print.

You may find that the quality of the light you are working in will affect the length of time you are able to sit and read a piece of text comfortably.

2. Sound.

School always had us believe that we all need complete silence when we're learning.
This is true for many of us, but some of us actually can learn more effectively with the background noise of a TV or other people's voices.
Do you prefer



 

 

  • complete silence.
  • some background noise.
  • either/don't mind.

Many dyslexic learners have difficulty concentrating with background noise, however you may find that listening to specific types of music can still help you learn.
  • Largo movements of the baroque period, or any classical music with a slow, steady rhythm will help your brain relax into a state suitable for learning.
  • Sounds of nature and indigenous music will also do this.

Listening to your favourite pop music will probably be distracting and any lyrics will pull you away from your learning.

3. Design.
Although many people need to do their learning seated at a formal desk with a hard chair, many of us prefer an informal design and do our best work when we're on the sofa, lying on our bed or lying on the carpet.
These learners will need to be comfortable before they can think and learn.
Think about whether you prefer to learn
  • at a desk and chair.
  • on a sofa/bed/carpet.
  • either/don't mind.

 

    

4. Intake.

Do you prefer to
  • reward yourself with some food when you've finished a task.
  • have some food on hand to graze on while you're learning.
  • don't mind either way.

For some of us snacking on food whilst learning can help our concentration.
If you feel this may be your learning style, make sure you avoid foods which are high in sugar.
Sugar will give your brain an immediate high, but this will soon be followed by a large slump during which your higher brain functions will be less able to focus.
 
Drinking fresh, pure water at room temperature can also improve your learning ability!
Water breaks down salts in the body so electrolytes form and this in turn helps the electrical connections in the body and brain.

5. Temperature.

When it comes to learning, different people have different temperature needs.
Some people like to be cooler when they learn and if the room is too warm they doze off.
Others find that they can't concentrate unless they are warm when they are learning.
  • Notice how you like to dress when you are learning.
  • Do you have lots of layers or do you just have a T-shirt on?

6. Persistence.
School also teaches us that it is wrong to start on a new learning task before we have finished what we are already working on.
Some of us do like to complete one task before we begin another, however many of us will learn more effectively if we're able to move between a variety of ongoing tasks.
These learners have often been told and so believe that they are lazy, when infact they just have a less traditional learning style.
We all have deadlines to meet in the work we do, but it is fine and also possible to set yourself up a number of work areas and work simultaneously on each task.
Once you've started a task ask yourself if you need to
  • stay with it.
  • break often, doing several tasks simultaneously.
  • it depends on what you're doing.

7. Time of Day.
Think about the time of day when you feel you have most amounts of energy?
Is it
  • morning?
  • afternoon?
  • evening?
Consider this when you are able to choose the time of day you can attend a class.

8. Movement.
  • Are you happy to sit in one place and do your work for a long stretch of time?
  • Have you noticed that you need to find an excuse to get up and walk around a bit?
  • When you're listening to a talk or working on a task do you find yourself clicking your pen constantly or fidgeting generally?
Some of us need to move around when we're learning and others don't.
If you're a bit of a pen clicker, try finding something quiet to manipulate in your hand (like a stress ball) while you're working.
This will also stop you distracting nearby visual learners.
If you think you might need movement, try walking around while you're reading.

9. People

Many of us have a preference as to whether we can learn more effectively by involving other people in the process.
  • Some of us need to talk things through with another person.
  • Some of us need to bounce our ideas around as part of a group.
  • Some of us need to work alone to be effective learners.
Think about the classes you attend and whether it fits in with your preferred learning style.
 
return to top