Consider: How could knowing your learning style be of benefit to you, personally? How can it be helpful in your interactions with others? How do you think this could help you in your studies? How do you think this could help you in lectures? How do you think this could help you in note taking?

Grab a piece of scrap paper and jot down the letter of the answer that best describes you. For these questions, choose the first answer that comes to mind. Don't spend too much time thinking about any one question...


1. When you study for a test, would you rather
a) read notes, read headings in a book, and look at diagrams and illustrations.
b) have someone ask you questions, or repeat facts silently to yourself.
c) write things out on index cards and make models or diagrams.

2. Which of these do you do when you listen to music?
a) daydream (see things that go with the music)
b) hum along
c) move with the music, tap your foot, etc.

3. When you work at solving a problem do you
a) make a list, organize the steps, and check them off as they are done
b) make a few phone calls and talk to friends or experts
c) make a model of the problem or walk through all the steps in your mind

4. When you read for fun, do you prefer
a) a travel book with a lot of pictures in it
b) a mystery book with a lot of conversation in it
c) a book where you answer questions and solve problems

5. To learn how a computer works, would you rather
a) watch a movie about it
b) listen to someone explain it
c) take the computer apart and try to figure it out for yourself

6. You have just entered a science museum, what will you do first?
a) look around and find a map showing the locations of the various exhibits
b) talk to a museum guide and ask about exhibits
c) go into the first exhibit that looks interesting, and read directions later

7. What kind of restaurant would you rather not go to?
a) one with the lights too bright
b) one with the music too loud
c) one with uncomfortable chairs

8. Would you rather go to
a) an art class
b) a music class
c) an exercise class

9. Which are you most likely to do when you are happy?
a) grin
b) shout with joy
c) jump for joy

10. If you were at a party, what would you be most likely to remember the next day?
a) the faces of the people there, but not the names
b) the names but not the faces
c) the things you did and said while you were there

11. When you see the word "d - o - g", what do you do first?
a) think of a picture of a particular dog
b) say the word "dog" to yourself silently
c) sense the feeling of being with a dog (petting it, running with it, etc.)

12. When you tell a story, would you rather
a) write it
b) tell it out loud
c) act it out

13. What is most distracting for you when you are trying to concentrate?
a) visual distractions
b) noises
c) other sensations like, hunger, tight shoes, or worry

14. What are you most likely to do when you are angry?
a) scowl
b) shout or "blow up"
c) stomp off and slam doors

15. When you aren't sure how to spell a word, which of these are you most likely to do?
a) write it out to see if it looks right
b) sound it out
c) write it out to see if it feels right

16. Which are you most likely to do when standing in a long line at the movies?
a) look at posters advertising other movies
b) talk to the person next to you
c) tap your foot or move around in some other way





SCORING: count up the number of a's, b's and c's you have. find out what kind of learner you are and read below for a description of your style and some tips on studying!

more As - Visual
more Bs - Auditory
more Cs - Kinesthetic


If you scored mostly a's you may have a visual learning style. You learn by seeing and looking.

Visual Learners

· 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
STUDY TIPS:

For lectures

• Avoid visual distractions in classroom seating (windows, open doorways, etc.)
• Look for opportunities to break up lectures with reflective, yet active, exercises (question-write-pair-share) and brain-storming sessions
• Illustrate your notes with images and graphs
• Review and organize your notes after class with concept maps
• Keep and organize a file of handouts and summary documents after lectures for review
• Request "guided notes" or blanks in handouts that provide you with cues for completion

Reading text books

• Look through titles, charts, graphs, and pictures to get an overall idea of the content before reading a chapter
• Use color highlighers to emphasize important material
• Write or illustrate in the margins to emphasize important material

Test taking/assessment

• Write out/illustrate steps in a sequence as a checklist to keep on task
• Think of visual cues and associations in remembering information - you may also see the location of an answer rather than the answer itself!
• If you are challenged by standardized and/or timed tests, meet with your teacher to discuss alternatives
• Essay and/or short answer tests, or class presentations/demonstrations may be optional assessment techniques

If you scored mostly b's, you have an auditory learning style. You learn by hearing and listening.

Auditory Learners

· 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 have difficulty reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).


If you had mostly c's, you may have a kinesthetic learning style. You learn by touching and doing.

Kinesthetic Learners

· 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


[adapted from: http://www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/style.html]