How to Determine the Learning Preference & Style of a Student

Visual leaners learn through seeing material.

A person's learning style or preference is the manner in which he learns most naturally. Visual learners learn best through seeing information. Auditory learners learn through hearing, and tactile or kinesthetic learners learn most efficiently through hands-on types of activities. While most people learn best through a combination of these approaches, one style may stand out as a person's strongest preference. Figuring out a student's dominant learning style will help you to teach that student effectively.

Instructions

1. Observe the student to see what she does naturally. Look for visual cues, such as doodling, drawing, closing the eyes to recall something and showing a preference for illustrations. Notice possible auditory cues such as humming, singing and talking. Look for tactile/kinesthetic preferences through various types of physical activity and an inclination to take things apart or put them together.

2. Have students take an inventory that measures learning styles and preferences (see Resources).

3. Talk to the student. When approaching a certain task, ask questions like, "Would you rather write down your vocabulary words, listen to me read them aloud or act out the meaning of each word?" Use the student's responses to determine preferences and styles.

4. Talk to individuals who are close to the student. Ask parents, teachers, siblings and friends what they notice about the student.

References

• The University of South Dakota: Three Different Learning Styles
• North Carolina State University; "Understanding Student Differences"; Richard M. Felder; Jan. 2005

Resources

• The University of South Dakota: What's Your Learning Style