ITEM 1: Learning Styles Inventory

Learning Styles Inventory

Hello readers,

For the first time today, I am about to share with you guys about a very interesting fact that we must know before getting ready to learn.

Learning styles are very important for us if we want to learn in a more effective way!

So, stay tuned!

 

WHAT IS LEARNING STYLE

Learning style refers to the preferred way that we acquire, process, and retain information. It is easier to describe it as "the way you learn the best". Each of us has different ways or styles for learning.

The aspects of our learning styles include time of a day, study strategies, whether individually or in group, and even place we study! However it is more than above aspects that I just mentioned.

Researchers did investigate learning styles culture in many different ways. Some of them investigated the relationship of learning styles. It tells us whether we are left-brained or right-brained

People who are left brained tend to process information in a linear, analytic ways while the right-brained tend to process information in a holistic visual manner.  Many learning styles are based on Kolb’s theory which stated that some people approach new situations through “feeling” and others through “thinking”.

 

HOW MANY ARE THEY

There are three (3) types of learning styles that we should know. These three types are completely not the same because it uses different abilities and senses from ourselves.

1.     Visual learners

Visual learners learn effectively when the information is presented visually through images, graphs, chart or videos. They understand best when images or handouts are provided when they are learning something and also prefer to do mind mapping for their notes.

2.     Auditory learners

This kind of learners understands best to spoken teaching or lecture. They prefer to listen to the teacher instruction rather than do it themselves first. They also think that putting the notes into a song is a fun and effective way to study!

3.     Kinesthetic learners

Kinesthetic learners need to move! They wiggle, tap, swing their legs, bounce, and often just can't seem to sit still. They tend to do the lab task and also get to understand better about what they are learning in class. They learn through their bodies and their sense of touch. Kinesthetic learners have excellent “physical” memory.

 

TAKING THE LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY

To explain to you more clearly about the learning styles, I am going to show here how to determine which style or styles are in. Trust me as it can help us to study in a smarter way next time.

So, let me show you how it works!

 

-Complete the Learning Styles Inventory below. Put a check mark for “YES” or “NO” to indicate your response that describe you best.

 

QUESTION	YES	NO
1.     I prefer watching a video to reading.	/
2.     When I sing along with my CDs or the radio, I know the words to the songs.		/
3.     I have athletic ability.		/
4.     I can picture the setting of a story I am reading.	/
5.     I study better with music in the background.	/
6.     I enjoy hands-on learning.	/
7.     I’d rather play sports than watch someone play them.		/
8.     Reading aloud helps me remember.	/
9.     I prefer watching someone perform a skill or a task before I actually try it.	/
10. I color-coordinate my clothes.		/
11. I’m good at rhyming and rapping.		/
12. Use phrases like: “I’ve got a handle on it,” “I’m up against the wall,” or “I have a feeling that . . .”	/
13. I need to look at something several times before I understand it.	/
14. I prefer having instructors give oral directions than written ones.		/
15. I have difficulty being still for long periods of time.	/
16. I use phrases like “I see what you’re saying,” “That looks good,” or “That’s clear to me.”		/
17. I’m good at figuring out how something works.	/
18. I can understand a taped lecture.		/
19. It’s easy for me to replay scenes from movies in my head.	/
20. I enjoy studying foreign languages.	/
21. I would rather conduct my own science experiment than watch someone else does it.	/
22. I would rather paint a house than a picture.	/
23. I enjoy studying in groups.		/
24. I prefer to have written directions to someone’s home.	/
25. I can look at an object and remember it when I close my eyes.	/
26. I have musical ability.		/
27. When I study new vocabulary, writing the words several times helps me learn.	/
28. I can imagine myself doing something before I actually do it.		/
29. I use phrases like “That rings a bell,” “I hear you,” or “That sounds good.”	/
30. I enjoy building things and working with tools.	/

 

WHAT IS NEXT

After filling in the inventory above, I need to tally my YES responses using the following scoring key and then use the chart to total my response. Still don’t get it? No worries! Let me show you how I do the scoring so that you can follow the steps accordingly.

Step 1:-  Put the question number that is answered with YES in the appropriate box.

Visual Style: Questions 1, 4, 9, 10, 13, 16, 19, 24, 25, 28

Auditory Style: Questions 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 18, 20, 23, 26, 29

Kinesthetic Style: Questions 3, 6, 7, 12, 15, 17, 21, 22, 27, 30

VISUAL	AUDITORY	KINESTHETIC
1, 4, 9, 13, 19, 24, 25,	5, 8, 20, 29	6, 12, 15, 17, 21, 22, 27, 30

 

Step 2:-

Total the YES answers in the chart as below. This will determine your preferred learning style. Don’t worry if a dominant mode doesn’t emerge. You’re a versatile learner! Use the knowledge you gain to create excellent study tools, the ones that are right for you.

 

	V (Visual)	A (Auditory)	K(Kinesthetic)
Number of Yes responses	7	4	8

 

The highest score indicates our preferred learning style. It is not wrong if you have a high score in more than one area, you’re using additional modalities. You are versatile learner! Plus, there are no wrong answers for this inventory.

 

In Conclusion, after taking the Learning Styles Inventory, my preferred learning style is obviously KINESTHETIC. I already know my style now. So, what am I going to do next to improve my learning skill?

USE IT WISELY

Ways to study or learn for these three types of style are different. The learner should know their styles well and know the right ways to study. Here are some examples that you might want to follow.

1.     Visual Learners’ Method

You need to see information. If this is your preferred style, you need to

• Create mind maps, flow charts, and diagrams using bright colors. Put them where you can view

them frequently.

• Practice building your visual memory.

• Rewrite your notes using different colors.

2.     Auditory Learners’ Method

You need to hear information.

• After you read a page in your textbook, summarize the information out loud in your own words.

• Tape your instructor’s lecture, and if you are a commuter, listen to the tape on the way home, either in your car, or on the bus or subway.

• Discuss the material that you have been learning with a friend or study group.

3.     Kinesthetic Learners’ Method

You need to be physically active and doing things.

• Use your hands. Cut up charts and diagrams. Create flash cards and move them around with large, sweeping movements.

• Walk and talk the information. Recite as you move.

• Type on a computer keyboard. You are using your muscle memory.

 

SOME IMPROVEMENTS ON MULTI-SENSORY LEARNING

You can also develop your learning styles by combining all those three style together when you are learning or studying.

1.     Use clean instrumental background music (no lyrics to distract you). Choose a specific music for a specific subject and play it every time you study. Subconsciously, you are creating association for your mind. You are combining VISUAL and AUDITORY modes.

2.     Use some rhyming to memorize information or maybe put some rap so that it would be more fun to learn and memorize. To add KINESTHETIC mode to this AUDITORY mode, try to walk or dance or clapping your hands when you sing.

3.     Study with a partner or in a group. Discuss the information. Hold up flash cards diagrams, hierarchies, and mind maps to test each other. This combines VISUAL and AUDITORY modes.

4.     Make up your own strategies. Incorporate multi-sensory learning into your studies.

There are actually a lot more to mention here. You can also use your own creativity to mix and match. GOOD LUCK!

 

MY PERSONAL LEARNING STYLE PLAN

I want to incorporate multi-sensory learning into my study time for this semester by:-

1.     Using background music during my study time. It will be fun definitely, as I combine Auditory and Visual style. I can find some pieces of clean instrumental music on YouTube or other suitable sources.

2.     Putting myself in the picture. I can do this with a subject like Microbiology; live as bacteria or picture myself as a dividing cell.

3.     Studying in a group and discussing the information together. We can use flash card to help both of use study and test each other.

4.     Closing my eyes and visualizing the information that I study in my mind’s eye. Then, saying it out loud. This method can be used when I am learning a new vocabulary or any scientific procedures that I learn during Science related classes.

5.     Creating my own auditory notes using a tape recorder. I can listen to it anytime I want easily.

 

 

That is all from me for Learning Style topic. I hope this is very useful to all of you and can help you to find the best way to study. Thank you and goodbye!

p/s: All of the information above are based on my study skill textbook provided by my lecturer for study skill (UED102) course. All of the images or pictures are just my creativity. I do not own any of them.