Learning Techniques

Learning techniques

Identifying your learning style can revolutionise the way
you look at problems and the way you teach yourself new skills.

Richard Felder and
Linda Silverman developed the Index of Learning Styles in the 1980’s and it’s
since become the most widely used model 
to identify how an individual absorbs and retains information best. By
knowing your own learning style you can look at problems or topics in a new way
that best matches your style of learning and you can also apply this knowledge
when teaching other people by identifying how they best learn themselves. We recommend our private tutors, particularly private maths tutors , identify the stronger learning styles of their students.

Felder postulated
that there are four dimensions of learning styles:

Figure 1: Learning
Styles Index

Sensory

Intuitive

 

Sensory learners prefer concrete, practical, and procedural information. They look for the facts.

Intuitive learners prefer conceptual, innovative, and theoretical information. They look for the meaning.

 

Visual

Verbal

 

Visual learners prefer graphs, pictures, and diagrams. They look for visual representations of information.

Verbal learners prefer to hear or read information. They look for explanations with words.

 

Active

Reflective

 

Active learners prefer to manipulate objects, do physical experiments, and learn by trying. They enjoy working in groups to figure out problems.

Reflective learners prefer to think things through, to evaluate options, and learn by analysis. They enjoy figuring out a problem on their own.

 

Sequential

Global

 

Sequential learners prefer to have information presented linearly and in an orderly manner. They put together the details in order to understand the big picture emerges.

Global learners prefer a holistic and systematic approach. They see the big picture first and then fill in the details.

 

Once you have identified where you are on the sliding scale
for each style you should aim to bring your learning skills into balance using
the following techniques:

Sensory Learners –Try to be objective when evaluating information. Ask yourself why you think what you think and if you can rationalise that opinion to someone that thinks the opposite. Intuitive Learners – Learn facts about a theory. Re-read material to ensure you have picked up all the important points. Try to pace yourself and think through the detail of the theory and  make sure your conclusions match those presented in the text. Visual Learners – Practise summarising into text information that you would usually draw out in a diagram. Try explaining graphically presented data to others using speech.  Verbal Learners – Try translating plans and lists into graphical representations – spider diagrams etc. Practise using the whiteboard or blackboard to transpose a thought process.   Active Learners – Summarise the situation to yourself before you act. Think through and rationalise your decision before involving others.   Reflective Learners – Work more in a group and observe the natural leaders, how they think on their feet and direct the conversation. Try to involve your knowledge in the subject as practically as possible. Plan what you will contribute in advance if possible. Sequential Learners – Sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees. Trying to maintain a grasp on the big picture can help direct smaller decisions along the way. Always keep the main goal in sight when thinking about the detail.   Global Learners – Force yourself to identify and tackle all steps involved in a particular solution. If you can’t explain each step or how you got to it then you may have missed a critical part of the problem.

Running through this process for each scale can be a challenging task. Changing
the habits of a lifetime won’t happen overnight. Knowing your weaknesses and
how to improve your learning skills is invaluable so it’s well worth sticking
at.

Check out our wordpress.com blog for more teaching techniques