Tutoring and Academic Success Centers

 

 

 

Learning Styles

Tell Me About Learning Styles

The way a person prefers to learn is called his/her learning style. There is no right or wrong/good or bad learning style. It has nothing to do with intelligence or skills. It has everything to do with the way a person's brain works to learn and store information efficiently. Since everyone learns differently, understanding learning styles can help you become a better tutor.

By examining learning styles, you will become aware of how each person's brain learns best. This awareness gives you and your tutees the chance to study effectively.  There are many different types of learning styles. Sensory Learning Styles group people into three categories: Auditory (learn by hearing), Tactile (learn by doing), and Visual (learn by seeing or writing). To determine your learning style (or your tutee's learning style), click here, or take the Learning Style Inventory.

The more you examine learning styles, the more you and your tutees will benefit from strategies geared toward their most proficient style. You can also use this information for modeling skills that your tutee can use independently. The following are tutoring tips based on learning styles.

Tutoring Tips based on Learning Style

More information on characteristics and study tips are available on the Learning Styles page. For the time being, you may proceed with this exercise after viewing the chart below:

 


ear


touching fingers

eye
AUDITORY LEARNERS TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS
VISUAL LEARNERS

Encourage them to explain the material to you, as if they were the tutor.

 

Encourage them to pick up the book as they are reading or talking.

Let them take notes during the tutoring session.

 Ask them to read explanations out loud.

Have them write while they are reading or talking.

Use a blackboard or notepaper for both of you to write questions and answers.

 

Ask the student to make up a song using the subject material.  The 'crazier' the better.

 

Encourage them to walk around the LRC for appropriate books and other resources.

Encourage the use of color-coded highlighting.

Tell the students they can review audio tapes while they drive.

Advise them to sit near the front of their classroom and to take notes. This will keep the student focused.

 

Use graph paper to help them create charts and diagrams that demonstrate key points.

Advise them that when they are learning new information, state the problem out loud. Reason through solutions out loud.

 

Advise them to spend extra time in any labs offered.

Have them use mnemonics, acronyms, visual chains, and mind maps.

Ask the student to say words in syllables.

Encourage them to use the computer to reinforce learning using their sense of touch.

Advise them to use the computer to organize materials and to create graphs, tables, charts, and spreadsheets.

 

Refer them to our study skills videotapes.

Advise them to write with their fingers in sand.

 

Ask the student to organize the material.

Encourage them to make up and repeat rhymes to remember facts, dates, names, etc. 

Make sure they go over all important facts aloud.

 

Have them write lists repeatedly.

Use visual analogies. Use photographs.

Advise the student to join or create a study group, or to get a study partner.

 

Advise them to exaggerate lip movements in front of a mirror.

Use visual metaphors.

To learn a sequence of steps, write them out in sentence form, then read them out loud.

 

Ask them to stand while they explain something to you.

When you ask them to explain something, suggest they do so by writing the explanation down.

Ask the student to use mnemonics and word links.

Ask them to use rhythm (beats) to memorize or explain something.

Ask them to make flashcards, then use them during the session/s. The act of writing (the cards) and viewing them doubles their comprehension.

 

Involve the student in a discussion of the material.

As the student is explaining something, have the student point to the subject matter in the book, on the board, etc., while reading it out loud.

 

Encourage them to visualize the scene, formula, words, charts, etc.

Refer them to the Study Skills videotapes.

Ask them to use gestures when giving explanations.

Refer them to the TASC's CD-ROM's or other computer software.

 

 

Advise them to make models that demonstrate the key concept. (The purpose here is the act of making the model.)

 

Use illustrations.

 

Advise students to use hands-on experience when possible.

 

Refer them to the Study Skills videotapes.

 

Make flashcards for each step in the procedure. Put the cards in order until the sequence becomes automatic.

 

 

 

Use audio tapes from classes. Play them while they walk or 
exercise.

 

 

 

Ask them to stretch and move in the chairs.

 

 

 

Refer them to the Study Skills videotapes.

 

 

Additional Learning Styles Resources

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Training Index

TASC Home

Tutor Training Links:

Beginning a Session
Greetings
Setting the Agenda
Tutoring Techniques
Learning Styles
Study Skills
Online Learning
Group Tutoring
Tutoring Scenarios and Potential Problems
Rules
Diversity/Confidentiality
Tutor Test

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email:  TASC@trcc.commnet.edu

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Norwich, CT 06360
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