Sensory Preferences and Learning Style

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Three Basic Learning Modalities

• Sensory Preferences and Learning Style

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Learning Style

• We take in and begin to process information
  through our senses.
• Our preferences in the way we take in information
  influences our ability to learn in different
  environments.

• Sensory Modalities
• Auditory
• Visual
• Kinesthetic/Tactile

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Auditory Learner

• enjoys oral discussion
• studies by talking aloud
• requires oral explanations
• has trouble with written direction
• reinforces a task by talking him/herself through
  it

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More Auditory Traits from USD

• sit where they can hear but needn't pay attention
  to what is happening in front
• may not coordinate colors or clothes, but can
  explain why they are wearing what they are
  wearing and why
• hum or talk to themselves or others when bored
• acquire knowledge by reading aloud
• remember by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if
  they don't they may have difficulty reading maps
  or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments
  like mathematics).

source online University of South Dakota
www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html
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Visual Learner

• remembers visual details
• follows along when others read
• prefers to see whats to be learned
• needs written instruction
• has trouble following lectures

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More Visual Traits from USD

• take numerous detailed notes
• tend to sit in the front
• are usually neat and clean
• often close their eyes to visualize or remember
  something
• find something to watch if they are bored
• like to see what they are learning
• benefit from illustrations and presentations that
  use color
• are attracted to written or spoken language rich
  in imagery
• prefer stimuli to be isolated from auditory and
  kinesthetic distraction
• find passive surroundings ideal

source online University of South Dakota
www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html
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Kinesthetic Learner

• has to do it to know it
• prefers activity-based learning
• studies by writing over and over
• may be restless in class

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More Kinesthetic Traits from USD

• need to be active and take frequent breaks
• speak with their hands and with gestures
• remember what was done, but have difficulty
  recalling what was said or seen
• find reasons to tinker or move when bored
• rely on what they can directly experience or
  perform
• activities such as cooking, construction,
  engineering and art help them perceive and learn
• enjoy field trips and tasks that involve
  manipulating materials
• sit near the door or someplace else where they
  can easily get up and move around
• are uncomfortable in classrooms where they lack
  opportunities for hands-on experience
• communicate by touching and appreciate physically
  expressed encouragement, such as a pat on the
  back

source online University of South Dakota
www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/styleres.html
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The Wagner Preference Inventory

• Brain hemisphere dominance is reported to effect
  learning style.
• People that are
• left brain-dominant are primarily auditory
  learners
• right brain-dominant are primarily visual
  learners.
• The Wagner Preference Inventory was used to
  determine brain hemisphere dominance.

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Two Sides to the Brain

• Brain Orientation - Thinking Preference
  Learning Style

Activity 2
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Analytic Learner Global Learner Left
Brain Characteristics Right Brain
Characteristics

• looking at details
• focusing on one thing
• giving direct answers
• organization
• individual competition
• establishing routines
• working through ideas
• following schedules

• seeing the big picture
• cooperating in groups
• giving and receiving praise
• reading body language
• going with the flow
• doing several things at once
• focusing on ideas/themes
• listening sincerely to others
• reading between the lines

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Left BrainCognitive Processing

• Linear - Processing information from part to
  whole in a straight forward logical progression.
• Sequential - Processing information in order from
  first to last.
• Symbolic - Processes symbols likes to use
  letters, words and mathematical symbols.
• Logical - Processes information piece by piece
  using logic to solve a problem.
• Verbal - Processes thoughts and ideas with words.
• Reality-Based - Processes information based on
  reality focuses on rules and regulations

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Right BrainCognitive Processing

• Holistic - Processing information from whole to
  part sees the big picture first, not the
  details.
• Random - Processing information with out
  priority, jumps form one task to another.
• Concrete - Processes things that can be seen, or
  touched - real objects.
• Intuitive - Processes information based on
  whether or not it feels right know answer but not
  sure how it was derived.
• Nonverbal - Processes thought as illustrations.
• Fantasy-Oriented - Processes information with
  creativity less focuses on rules and regulations

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You Almost Always

• Left Brain (Analytic)Traits
• do things the same way
• like a neat environment
• are self-motivated
• value facts over feelings
• ask how do I do it?

• Right Brain (Global)Traits
• visualize the future
• think fast on your feet
• have good rapport with others
• see many solutions
• accept many types of people
• try to avoid conflict

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These Frustrate You Left Brain Traits Right
Brain Traits

• not knowing the purpose
• not understanding how a teacher grades
• dealing with generalities
• having an opinion expressed as fact
• having to find personal meaning in what you learn
• working in groups
• questions with no right answer

• having to explain things step by step
• not getting a chance to explain
• accept criticism without taking it personally
• people who are insensitive
• not knowing the meaning for doing something
• keeping detailed records
• re-doing anything once it is done
• having to chose one answer

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Questions You Ask Left Brain Traits Right
Brain Traits

• What facts do I need to know?
• What should it look like?
• When is it due?

• What does this have to do with me?
• How can I make a difference?
• How much of this is really necessary?

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The Potential of Your Brain

• Three basic learning modalities
• Eight intelligences

• Trillions trillions of brain cells
• 100 billion neurons in thinking brain
• 20,000 possible connections between neurons
• Three brains in one
• Two sides to the brain

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Eight Intelligences

• Multiple Intelligences Learning Style
• Its not about how smart you are, but how you
  are smart!

Activity 3
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Gardners Intelligence

• . . . an ability to solve problems or fashion
  products that are useful in a particular cultural
  setting or community.
• image source http//www.essentialschools.org/
  images/ff_pics/ff2000/speakers/howard.jpg

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Multiple Intelligence Theory -The Seven Eight
Intelligences

• Howard Gardner
• Verbal/Linguistic
• Logical/Mathematical
• Visual/Spatial
• Bodily/Kinesthetic
• Musical/Rhythmic
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal
• Naturalist
• Existential

• Interest may Aptitude, Strength Preference
• vs
• Disinterest may Ineptitude, Weakness
  Prejudice

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Verbal Linguistic

• Word/Book Smart
• Strength
• reading, writing, telling stories, memorizing
  dates, thinking in words
• Best Learning Style
• reading, hearing and seeing words speaking,
  writing, discussing, and debating

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Logical Mathematical

• Number/Logic Smart
• Strength
• math, reasoning, logic, problem solving, patterns
• Best Learning Style
• working with patterns and relationships,
  classifying, categorizing, working with the
  abstract

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Visual Spatial

• Art/Picture Smart
• Strength
• reading, maps, charts, drawing, mazes, puzzles,
  imaging things, visualization
• Best Learning Style
• working with pictures and colors, visualizing,
  using the "minds eye", drawing

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Bodily Kinesthetic

• Body/Movement Smart
• Strength
• athletics, dancing, acting, crafts, using tools
• Best Learning Style
• touching, moving, processing knowledge though
  body sensations

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Musical Rhythmic

• Music/Sound Smart
• Strength
• singing, picking up sounds, remembering melodies,
  rhythms
• Best Learning Style
• rhythm, melody, singing, listening to music and
  melodies

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Interpersonal

• People/Group Smart
• Strength
• understanding people, leading, organizing,
  communicating, resolving conflicts, selling
• Best Learning Style
• sharing, comparing, relating, interviewing,
  cooperating

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Intrapersonal

• Self/Introspection Smart
• Strength
• understanding self, recognizing strengths and
  weaknesses, setting goals
• Best Learning Style
• working alone, doing self-paced projects, having
  space, reflecting

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Naturalist

• Nature/Environment Smart
• Strength
• categorizing, organizing a living area, planning
  a trip, preservation, and conservation
• Best Learning Style
• sharing, comparing, relating, cooperating and
  interviewing

image source www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html
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Self-Evaluation

• What kind of student are you?
• What kind of student do you want to be?

Activity 5