How to Determine One's Learning Style

By eHow Education Editor

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There are as many ways to learn and process information. Experts have identified three distinct styles of learning: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Most people learn using a combination of these styles, but generally one stands out as being most effective. Once you identify your learning style, you can tailor your study habits to take full advantage of what works best for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1
Understand the three styles of learning. A visual learner learns best by seeing and looking at information. The auditory learner absorbs information most effectively when hearing and listening. A kinesthetic learner learns best through hands-on experience.
Step2
Ask yourself some basic questions about how you learn best. For instance, ask yourself where you like to sit in the classroom. An auditory learner will sit in the back, a visual learner in the front and a kinesthetic learner will prefer to sit near the door. Ask yourself whether you prefer to listen to music while you study. A visual learner will say no, but a kinesthetic learner will say yes.
Step3
Think about how you do your homework. If you prefer to take detailed notes and draw charts, you are a visual learner. If you enjoy acting or role playing while you study, you are a kinesthetic learner. If you like to study by reading aloud to yourself, you are a auditory learner.
Step4
Examine how you react to meeting new people. An auditory learner is very good at remembering names, while a visual learner often forgets the names of people they meet. A kinesthetic learner will remember shaking hands with people, perhaps remembering their face or body language better than their name.
Step5
Consider things that you enjoy apart from school work. A visual learner often dreams in color and has an interest in art and fashion. An auditory learner enjoys movies and will often notice subtle sound effects in both movies and music. The kinesthetic learner is generally good at sports and acting or dance.
Step6
Take an online quiz to assess your own individual learning style. Many are free and take less than 5 minutes to complete. Look over the analysis of the results and consider the recommendations for enhancing your learning style.
Step7
Consult a learning specialist or psychologist if you wish to have your learning style more fully evaluated.

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eHow Article:  How to Determine One's Learning Style

eHow Education Editor

eHow Education Editor

Category: Education

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