Learning styles and teaching:
Recognizing Similarities and Differences
Presented by Cheryl Henningsgaard, Nick Johnson,
and Dianna Babcock
Quote of the Day:
You must learn a new way to think
before you can master
a new way to
be…
Marianne Williamson
Four Main Learning Styles
Visual
Visual learners prefer the use of images, maps, and
graphic organizers to access and understand new
information.
Auditory
Auditory learners best understand new content
through listening and speaking in situations such as
lectures and group discussions. Aural learners use
repetition as a study technique and benefit from the
use of mnemonic devices.
Read & Write
Students with a strong reading/writing preference
learn best through words. These students may present
themselves as copious note takers or avid readers, and
are able to translate abstract concepts into words and
essays.
Kinesthetic
Students who are kinesthetic learners best understand
information through tactile representations of
information. These students are hands-on learners
and learn best through figuring things out by hand
(i.e. understanding how a clock works by putting one
together.)
Our eyes tell our story…
Words tell our story, too
Visual Learners- describe experiences with words like:
See, colorful, get the picture, hazy…
Auditory learners- describe experiences with words like:
Sounds like, speak, volume, harmonize, shout…
Kinesthetic learners- describe experiences with words like:
Warm, excited, smooth, made contact with…
Read and Write learners- Describe experiences with words like:
Read, comprehend…
Identify Your Learning Style(s)
VARK Learning Styles Questionnaire• 5 minutes to complete on your own
• 10 minutes to share results with a friend
• Did your results surprise you?
*Statement- As musicians we tend to be more
auditory so how do we work with a society that has
become more visual due to technology???*
Share your Wisdom:
• Small Group:
• Share ways you identify and target learning styles in your students
• Consider individual lessons, group classes, online, etc.
• Small Group:
• Share strategies you implement to successfully engage and assist
in your student’s learning based on their specific learning styles
• Consider individual lessons, group classes, online, etc.
Whole group discussion
• Each Small Group• Pick one strategy to identify learning styles in your
students and share with larger group
• Each Small Group• Pick one teaching strategy you use to engage
individual learning styles (pick at least one learning
style to address) and share with larger group
Questions and Further Discussion
Ending Thought…