Overview

How do I Learn?

Identify your learning style by taking a learning styles assessments

Read about different learning styles

There are many different styles of learning. Some of us are visual learners; we learn and remember by seeing things (seeing it). Some learn best by listening to a lecture (hearing it). Others are hands on learners; they need to manipulate objects to demonstrate learning (doing it). This module will give you the opportunity to gather more information about how you learn by completing learning styles questionnaires and reading about the different styles. Knowing this information about yourself will help you better prepare for your online learning experience.

We have provided five separate learning style inventories for you to take, which views learning styles through five separate lenses. Each lens, or dimension, describes a learning style continuum with one characteristic at one end and its opposite at the other. For example, you may have a strong auditory preference to the exclusion of any visual learner characteristics at all. Or, you may fall somewhere along the continuum between the two. There are those who would argue that the best place to be is right in the middle for only there have you achieved a perfect balance between the two extremes. But, most of us have a decided preference for one over the other.

Important - Remember that no test or assessment instrument knows you better than you know yourself. Take the information in this module and add it to what you already know about yourself

Each one of the following quizzes represents one of the dimensions of learning described below.

Auditory or Visual Learners. This score indicates the sensory mode you prefer when processing information. Auditory learners tend to learn more effectively through listening, while visual learners process information by seeing it in print or other visual modes including film, picture or diagram. If you have a higher score on auditory than visual, you tend to be an auditory learner. That is, you tend to learn more easily by hearing rather than by reading. A higher score in visual suggests strengths with visual modes of learning.

Applied or Conceptual Learners. This score describes the types of learning tasks and learning situations you prefer and find most easy to handle. If you are an applied learner, you prefer tasks that involve real objects and situations. Practical, real-life learning situations are ideal for you. If you are a conceptual learner, you prefer to work with language and ideas; for you, practical applications are not necessary for understanding.

Spatial or Verbal Learners. This score reveals your ability to work with spatial relationships. Spatial learners are able to visualize or "mentally see" how things work or how they are positioned in space. Their strengths may include drawing, assembling or repairing things. Verbal learners lack skills in positioning things in space; instead, they tend to rely on verbal or language skills.

Social or Independent Learners. This score reveals your preferred level of interaction with other people in the learning process. If you are a social learner, you prefer to work with others -- both peers and instructors -- closely and directly. You tend to be people-oriented and enjoy personal interaction. If you are an independent learner, you prefer to work and study alone; you tend to be self-directed or self-motivated, and you are often goal oriented.

Creative or Pragmatic Learners. This score describes the approach you prefer to take toward learning tasks. Creative learners are imaginative and innovative. They prefer to learn through discovery or experimentation; they are comfortable taking risks and following hunches. Pragmatic learners are practical, logical, and systematic; they seek order and are comfortable following rules.

It will only take you a few minutes to complete the inventories. At the end of each one, you will be provided with feedback relative to your score. Once you know what your learning style preferences are, you will be able to review the "Tips for Studying" that follows the quiz and identify techniques and strategies that help support your particular learning style preference.

Applied or Conceptual Learning Style Inventory

Select A or B for each question below.

a)	I prefer to learn facts and details
b)	I prefer to construct theories and ideas.

Select A or B for each question below.

a)	I would prefer a job involving following specific instructions.
b)	I would prefer a job involving reading, writing and analyzing.

Which best describes your approach:

a)	I prefer to solve math problems using a formula.
b)	I prefer to discover why the formula works.

Select A or B

a)	I would prefer to write a term paper explaining how a process works.
b)	I would prefer to write a term paper explaining a theory.

Which describes you best:

a)	I prefer tasks that require careful, detailed following of instructions.
b)	I prefer tasks that require reasoning and critical analysis

Choose one:

a)	For a course in Criminal Justice, I would prefer to discover how and when a law can be used.
b)	For a course in Criminal Justice, I would prefer to learn how and why it became law.

Which sounds more like you?

a)	To learn more about the operation of a high speed computer printer, I would prefer to work with several types of printers.
b)	To learn more about the operation of a high speed computer printer, I would prefer to understand the principles on which they operate.

Auditory or Visual Learning Style Inventory

Select one of the following:

a)	I would prefer to follow a set of oral directions
b)	I would prefer to follow a set of written instructions

Select from the following options:

a)	I would prefer to attend a lecture given by a famous psychologist.
b)	I would prefer to read an article written by a famous psychologist

Choose one answer from the following:

a)	I am better at remembering names.
b)	I am better at remembering faces.

I think:

a)	It easier to learn new information using languages
b)	It easier to learn new information using images (pictures).

Choose one response:

a)	I prefer classes in which the instructor lectures and answers questions.
b)	I prefer classes in which the instructor uses films and videos.

Select one of the following options:

a)	To obtain information about current events, I would prefer to listen to news reports on radio.
b)	To obtain information about current events, I would prefer to read the newspaper.

Choose one:

a)	To learn how to fix a computer, I would prefer to go to a demonstration.
b)	To learn how to fix a computer, I would prefer to consult a manual.

Creative or Pragmatic Learning Style Inventory

Which of the following sounds more like you

a)	To make decisions, I rely on my experiences and "gut" feelings.
b)	To make decisions, I rely on facts and objective data

Choose one response:

a)	To complete a task, I can use whatever is available to get the job done.
b)	To complete a task, I must have everything I need at hand.

Select one response:

a)	I prefer to express my ideas and feelings through music, song, or poetry.
b)	I prefer to express my ideas and feelings through direct, concise language

Select the best one:

a)	I prefer instructors who allow their students to select what and how to learn.
b)	prefer instructors who make their expectations clear and explicit.

Which describes your preference:

a)	I tend to challenge and question what I hear and read.
b)	I tend to accept what I hear and read.

Select the best response:

a)	I prefer essay exams.
b)	I prefer objective exams.

Select A or B

a)	In completing an assignment, I prefer to figure out my own approach.
b)	In completing an assignment, I prefer to be told exactly what to do.

Social or Independent Learning Style Inventory

Choose one response:

a)	For a grade in Biology Lab, I would prefer to work with a lab partner.
b)	For a grade in Biology Lab, I would prefer to work alone.

Choose the best response:

a)	When faced with a difficult personal problem, I prefer to discuss it with others
b)	When faced with a difficult personal problem, I prefer to resolve it myself.

Which one best describes your preference:

a)	Many instructors could improve their classes by including more discussion and group activities
b)	Many instructors could improve their classes by allowing students to work on their own more frequently.

Select one:

a)	When listening to a lecturer or speaker, I respond more to the person presenting the ideas.
b)	When listening to a lecturer or speaker, I respond more to the ideas themselves.

Select one response:

a)	I frequently try to shop, run errands, and work with friends.
b)	I seldom try to shop, run errands, and work with friends.

Choose the best response:

a)	When working on a team project, I prefer to work with several team members.
b)	When working on a team project, I prefer to divide up tasks and complete those assigned to me.

Choose one response:

a)	A job in a busy office is more appealing than working alone.
b)	A job in a busy office is less appealing that working alone.

Spatial or Verbal Learning Style Inventory

Select one of the following:

a)	To solve a math problem, I would prefer to draw or visualize the problem.
b)	To solve a math problem, I would prefer to study a sample problem and use it as a model.

Select from the following options:

a)	To remember things best, I create a mental picture.
b)	To remember things best, I write it down.

Choose one response:

a)	Assembling a bicycle from a diagram would be easy.
b)	Assembling a bicycle from a diagram would be challenging.

Select either letter A or letter B as your response:

a)	I prefer classes in which I handle equipment or work with models.
b)	I prefer classes in which I participate in a class discussion.

Select one of the following options:

a)	To understand and remember how a machine works, I would use a diagram.
b)	To understand and remember how a machine works, I would write notes.

Choose one:

a)	I enjoy drawing or working with my hands.
b)	I enjoy speaking, writing, and listening.

Which best reflects your preference:

a)	If you were trying to locate an office on an unfamiliar university campus, would you prefer a student to draw you a map.
b)	If you were trying to locate an office on an unfamiliar university campus, would you prefer a student to tell you how to find the office.