Have you ever declared "I'm bored with school," or "I hate school"?
Your lack of enthusiasm for school, and subsequent lack of success in your academics may mean you may not be learning according to your strengths. Every person is born with different thinking patterns, or learning style strengths.
Our learning style is the way our brain perceives and processes information. In other words, it's the way we see our world.
Have you noticed that memorization is easy for you, yet difficult for someone else? Or, your study partner can picture the geography lesson in her mind's eye but you tap your pencil incessantly, unable to sit still and pay attention?
How You Learn
Some people are visual learners. If they see something, they can usually remember it.
Visual learners concentrate and learn best when they:
- watch, draw or diagram, read, or underline;
- do anything that stimulates their sense of sight;
- use descriptive language as a learning tool.
Other people learn best by listening and talking. Auditory learners must hear their own voice (audible or inner) and say the information so they can learn and remember it.
If you see your friend sitting across the table from you during a study session moving their lips as if they're talking to themselves, or turning to you to tell you something, often they are repeating what they just learned.
Auditory learners learn best when they:
- do an activity that allows them to repeat what they just learned;
- do verbal drills with a partner;
- answer questions or debate out loud;
- engage in small group discussions.
Some people need to be actively involved in the learning process. They just want to do it! Kinesthetic learners enjoy any hands-on lesson, whether it's math manipulatives, a lab experiment, a computer game or program, building a model, or acting in a skit.
As long as their body is in motion, their brain seems to click. Sitting still in a chair to do visual or auditory tasks feels like a curse. Unfortunately , you may have often been labeled hyperactive by your primary grade teachers.
Keep in mind that when these people are moving, they are remembering. The finger-tapping or knee-bouncing that your lecture neighbour is doing that annoys you may be the tool they're using to help recall important information.
As you begin to discover and understand your learning styles, you will begin to improve your academics. Your work will become easier, you will learn more quickly, and you will retain information longer.
Be a Detective
We are all uniquely created by God. He designed each of us with different fingerprints, iris patterns and learning styles. Become a Sherlock Holmes.
Discover your learning style and determine in which environment you learn best. By focusing on your learning strengths, you'll improve your learning and success in school, and become all you were created to be.
Carol Funk is a learning styles specialist and the co-author of Bringing Out the Best in Your Child (Vine, 1997). Copyright Women Today Magazine 1999. Used with permission.
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