Learning Channels – How we learn
An individual’s learning style is their optimal natural or habitual pattern of acquiring and processing information in learning situations. Each individual differs in how they learn and how they interpret knowledge and then process it. The idea of individualized learning styles originated in the 1970s and this concept is now utilized in education and training facilities worldwide.
Listening, sound patterns, rhythms, tone, chants.
• Often talk to themselves.
• They also may move their lips and read out loud.
• They may have difficulty with reading and writing tasks.
• They often do better talking to a colleague or a tape recorder and hearing what was said.
Pictures, drawings, shapes, sculpture, paintings.
• Visual learners have two sub-channels—linguistic and spatial.
• Visual-linguistic learners like to learn through written language, such as reading and writing.
• They remember what has been written down, even if they do not read it more than once.
• They like to write down directions and pay better attention to lectures if they watch them.
• Visual-spatial learners usually have difficulty with the written language and do better with charts, demonstrations, videos, and other visual materials.
• Easily visualize faces and places by using their imagination and seldom get lost in new surroundings.
Gestures, touching, body movement, object manipulation, positioning.
• Are at their best while touching and moving.
• It also has two sub-channels: kinaesthetic (movement) and tactile (touch).
• They tend to lose concentration if there is little or no external stimulation or movement.
• When listening to lectures they may want to take notes for the sake of moving their hands.
• When reading, they like to scan the material first, and then focus in on the details (get the big picture first).
• They typically use colour high lighters and take notes by drawing pictures, diagrams, or doodling.