Preferred Learning Style for University Students - Essay Example

Preferred Learning Style for University Students Learning styles depicts the common methods used by people to learn. Individuals prefer to use varying learning techniques and styles. Each person has a different combination of learning style. While some people give more importance to one learning style they use less features of other styles of learning. At the same time people use different styles during different circumstances. Therefore, there is no correct combination of learning styles and there is no fixed style to learn a particular topic. A person can develop learning methods using less dominants styles and then develop styles that are being used with much significance. Multiple intelligences is a new approach that use multiple learning styles. People using verbal linguistic learning techniques and styles are recognized and considered as bright. Learning style has a greater influence on the learning ability of a person than one may realize. A person’s learning method is guided by the preferred style of learning. Therefore every person has a preferred style of learning. People who use less preferred learning styles are usually labeled under low grades. The negative and positive belief associated with learning styles can label a person as dumb or smart. A person can improve the quality and speed of learning by understanding and recognizing the best suited learning styles and techniques. The learning style also changes the way a person internally envisages experiences, the method of recollecting information and the words chosen to express thoughts (Overview of Learning Styles 2007). The perception of each person is different and shapes the thoughts and decisions. It is the perception that determines the learning style or natural learning strength of an individual. There are several approaches to learning styles. The Gregorc model explains the two perceptual qualities from an abstract and concrete perspective. A concrete approach of learning enables a person to record information directly using the five senses: taste, touch, sight, hearing and smell. A concrete approach is a method of dealing with the obvious. There is no hidden message or there is no relationship between concepts and ideas. In contrast, the abstract approach of learning enables a person to visualize, understand the unseen and conceive ideas that are not actually seen. A person uses imagination, intuition and has a sight beyond the obvious. Though all human beings have both abstract and concrete perceptual abilities, each person is comfortable using either of the approach. This is envisaged by the natural strength in abstract or concrete abilities of the person (Mills, D.W. 2002). The concrete and abstract approach may be linked to verbal linguistic and visual spatial styles of learning respectively. The verbal or linguistic style of learning includes abilities in both spoken as well as written word. If a person use this style of learning it becomes easy to express both verbally and in writing. People who use this style usually love writing and reading and has a special interest in learning the sounds and meaning of words like rhymes, tongue twisters and limericks. Individuals who adopt verbal learning style takes care to include words and phrases they have learnt recently in their conversations (The verbal (linguistic) learning style 2007). Verbal linguistic learning style or intelligence indicates a person’s capability to solve problems, reason and learn through language. The characteristics of this style are clear expression and good listening skills. A person talented with learning through this method usually prospers in writing and reading curriculum at school. They have well developed memory for the contents they read and have the ability to recall the information in a clear manner in their speech. Language is a fascination for people who use verbal linguistic style. People who prefer verbal linguistic styles tend to learn well when taught through written and spoken materials. These people prefer learning activities that are designed with language reasoning than on activities with abstract visual information. Verbal linguistic learners prefer math word problems than solving equations. Written projects, drama and speech classes, journalism and language classes are their areas of interest (Logsdon, A. 2009 (a)). A person using visual style prefers to use colours, pictures, maps and images to build up information to communicate. These people can effortlessly visualize plans, objects and outcomes through their mind’s eye. They have good spatial sense that gives a good idea of direction (The visual (spatial) learning style 2007). Visual spatial learners enjoy school activities like geometry, art, shop, drafting, computerized design and computer graphics. People with visual spatial learning skills have outstanding visual memory for material relating to the environment and in the print. Visual estimation and visual problem solving are the strengths of people with this learning style. They are good learners when taught using modeled, written or diagrammed materials and visual media. Visual memory is strength of spatially and visually talented students. Students who use visually spatially learning style choose careers in architecture, drafting, television, photography, engineering, artistry, air traffic control, airline piloting and the like (Logsdon, A. 2009 (b)). Verbal linguistic learning style is the preferred learning style for students at the university. While using the verbal learning style, students can easily respond to spoken and written language. It is easy for students to absorb carefully designed written lecturers and to evaluate assignments offered to them in writing. Distance learning tools can be optimally used for university students. Resources can be enriched by adding elements like verbal analysis of concepts, glossary and word games (Neidorf, R 2006 p.56) An effective learning and studying strategy can be designed for a verbal linguistic student with special aural verbal preference by paying more attention to lecture and discussion forums. This enables a student to assimilate the problem and understand it clearly. Students can gain more knowledge by participating in lectures given by guest speakers to discuss real world issues. Students can also gain from study groups by explaining and discussing ideas that help them to learn the subject themselves. A visual verbal learner under the verbal linguistic style of learning can learn best by viewing written material. These students can remember the materials they read. Students can prepare themselves well from manuals, lecture notes and readings. The noting down of important points of lecture and the writing down of outline of the lecture assists students to learn in a better way. Summary of key information, definition, headings and verbal handouts also benefit verbal linguistic learners. Another set of verbal learners best learn when they write down the new information. Reference of research journals is a traditional method that assists verbal linguistic learners at the university. Students who learn by writing can now depend on threaded discussion groups over the Internet. Online discussion panels is a new opening that allow students to discuss ideas by writing in the web if they are not good at discussing the subject with classmates (Hill et al. 2001 p.78). When teachers assign topics for students to discuss, it becomes a further advantageous step to explore the contents already presented in the class (Hill et al. 2001 p.79) A student with verbal linguistic learning ability should use a note book to note down the key points of the lecture. Key information from textbook and notes should be stored in a computer for immediate retrieval and reference. Print outs can be used for further immediate visual review. The information from lecture notes should be picturised in the mind’s eye while trying to remember the subject. Recalling the material can be made effective by using colour codes while studying new details in the notes or textbook. Different information should be highlighted using contrasting colours. Phrases and sentences should be written down to summarise information obtained from lecture and textbook. Flashcards can be made for concepts and vocabulary words that require to be memorized. Highlighter pens can be used to emphasise key points in the cards. The amount of information in a card should be limited to enable the mind to take a mental picture of the details in the card. While learning information from illustrations or diagram students should write down the explanations of the information. Technical and mathematical information should be written in phrases and sentences while learning. A sequence of steps in problems can be written down in detail in a step by step manner. A university student should make visual reminders of information that needs to be memorized before an exam. Post it notes comprising concepts and key words should be placed in highly visible places like mirror or note book. While the do’s are as mentioned above the don’ts for a verbal linguistic learners are as follows; if the student’s mind is wandering in the class, he/she should bring back the self to the discussion or lecture. The student should concentrate thoroughly in the discussion in the class. If practiced, the mind will not wander much and the student can learn more in a better way. The student should not give up while listening to a lecture if there are no visual aids. The student should continue to engage in the discussion by taking notes, using phrases and key words. The student should also take care to develop listening skills (Suggested Do’s and Don’ts 2007). In short, the study technique tips for verbal linguistic learning style student is to rewrite notes, read text and highlight not more than ten percent text, outline chapters, teach someone else, study with someone else, write scripts and debates, recite information, read aloud, paraphrase already learnt information, form question, find answers and read them aloud, imitate sounds, reading of others and language, listen to sound of the lecturer’s words, rhythm to identify importance and meaning (Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence - Learning Style (n.d)). It may be concluded that verbal linguistic learning style is a preferred style of learning because students can clearly learn the subject in a detailed manner in theory as against the abstract visualization and this method satisfies the requirements of examinations, assessments and evaluations of the university through clear communication and understanding of the subject in writing and conversation. Since all the factors of evaluation of the university are fulfilled, the verbal linguistic learning style is the best suited method of learning for university students. Reference Hill, G.L., Sears, D.S. & Lyman, L (2001) Teaching legal research and providing access to electronic resources Ed: 2 Oxford: Haworth Press, 2001 Logsdon, A. (2009) (a) Learning Styles - Learn about the Verbal Linguistic Learning Style Available: http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/resourcesresearch/qt/visual_learner.htm. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Logsdon, A. (2009) (b)Visual Spatial Learning Styles - Learn about Visual Spatial Learning Styles Available: http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/resourcesresearch/qt/Visual_Spatial.htm. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Mills, D.W. (2002) Student Learning Styles Available: http://www.csrnet.org/csrnet/articles/student-learning-styles.html. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Neidorf, R (2006) Teach beyond your reach: an instructor's guide to developing and running successful distance learning classes, workshops, training sessions, and more New Jersey: Information Today, Inc., 2006. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Overview of Learning Styles (2007) Available: http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Suggested Do’s and Don’ts 2007 The Verbal (Linguistic) Learning Style. Available: http://web.princeton.edu/sites/mcgraw/verbal_LS.html. Accessed on May 2, 2009 The verbal (linguistic) learning style (2007) Available: http://www.learning-styles-online.com/style/verbal%2Dlinguistic/. Accessed on May 2, 2009 The visual (spatial) learning style (2007) Available: http://www.learning-styles-online.com/style/visual%2Dspatial/. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence - Learning Style (n.d)Available: http://www.temple.edu/rcc/LearningStyles/verballinguisticintelligence.htm. Accessed on May 2, 2009 Read More