Understand Learning Styles For Effective Teaching

 

Communication requires effective strategies if any knowledge has to be imparted.

All students have their own learning style and will learn and understand better if the style they are being taught in corresponds to the learning preference that they have. Learning styles can be sensory, intuitive, visual, verbal, active, reflective, sequential or global. Each style requires its own approach for being effective. It is quite likely that in any classroom there may be students who are comfortable with different learning styles and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that every child is given information in the style that the child finds most effective.

Visual learners take in large chunks of information at one time rather than in gradual steps. They concentrate on graphical and pictorial information rather than the written word. They are therefore at a disadvantage as verbal and written information is still the main preferred method to teach or deliver information. It is a fact that 65 percent of the population consists of visual learners and as such are at a disadvantage when they attend lectures.

Identifying a Visual Learner

Visual learners would have difficulty in understanding any directions that have more than one or two steps. They would quite likely look around to see what others are doing and are likely to be more attentive if they are closer to the teacher to pick up any visual clues. They are easily distracted and learn best when a demonstration or illustration is given. They cannot remember information given orally but will memorize the same if given the same thing in writing that they can see. Their attention span for long oral lectures is limited and they may learn better if they write down what they are hearing and process the same information by reading it at a later time. Any text with illustrations will get their attention better than just a paragraph of writing.

Improvement Learning Strategy for Visual Learners

Before any topic is taken up give the students an outline of what is going to be taught. Do not give oral directions that have more than two steps. Copies of notes are better distributed instead of students taking notes during the class.

Base assignments on the notes distributed and the lecture given to ensure that the notes are read. Ask the students to make up their own questions on the topic that will serve as a refresher or which will ask for additional information on the topic.

During the lecture handout or put up charts, pictures, or other visual aids to explain the topic. Ask students to make their own presentations on the topic and encourage the use of photos or models.

Visual learners learn best through computer-based learning especially if the CD-ROM has illustrations besides audio material.

Visual learners should be encouraged to copy over notes and note key facts. If they are so inclined encourage them to make their own illustrations which would highlight the points they have learned.

Visual learners require a little more time to answer questions because they can formulate the answer only after they have formed their own visual images of the subject even if it is of the words they have written down.

A visual learner remembers what he sees as presentations and also what they read and write more than what he or she hears.