Is there really such a thing as a learning style?

Question

I was just wondering about learning styles. I'm not retarted or anything, nor do I have a learning disablitiy. However, I can't handle being a full-time student at my university because I can't seem to put my focus on everything at once. I can be very focused if I only have to deal with a couple of things. I read an article found here: http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm#Learning%20Styles%20Explained about learning styles and intelligences, but I don't really fit into one category.

So I guess my question is, is there something I can do to help me focus better because I really don't want to be in school forever. It's just this class room learning is really hard for me. I like hands on stuff and can't seem to sit still.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Most people don't fit into any one category but usually have a heavy preference for one or the other. If you have a best fit into one style you want to try to choose your classes to reflect that. Like auditory learners do pretty well in lecture and discussion classes. Visual learners sometime do well in lectures if they include lots of slides or written notes but can do well if the majority of the material is written down somewhere. Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing.

I'd suggest taking whatever load of classes you can comfortably handle and try to choose the professors based on your learning strengths. As you get the basics out of the way and get into your major field, things should be more interesting.

Oh, and have you tried finding something that will keep your hands busy but let your brain listen in the classes that are hard to sit through? I hand crocheted yarn chains or drew pages and pages of arrows and other doodles just to keep my hands busy so the rest of me could listen.

Answer 2

Yes there is, people can either be visual, auditory, or verbal learners. And some fall into more than one category. Some people learn "hands on". If one can find out what learning type suits them best, they can have greater success on jobs and in school.

When I was in college I discovered that I was a combination. But I chose the best learning methods from all of the styles and used them. Such as taking notes on my laptop, or making index cards to review, learning to take good handwritten notes if I needed to.
Some subjects such as the Sciences, are a combination of auditory and hands on, so I really didn't have a problem with those.

Answer 3

Hi, you just described your learning style. According to what you said and what that web site says, you are a tactile/kinesthetic learner. "Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration."

Depending on what your area of study is, you might be able to work out an internship in your field. That would give credits and hands-on experience. If you are studying something like History, you could study abroad some place according to your interests and study the things up close. If you are a language student, also a study abroad might be a good idea.

Also, talk to the staff at your university. They should have guidance counselors (I know I sounds so high school) that can recommend more options based on your field of study.

Answer 4

There IS something to learning style. It's directly related to the aspects of thinking you rely on most, and what you rely on least. As ;you say, you're more comfortable with hands-on learning. At University, that's possible in some subject areas, but subjects like English, history, philosophy, etc. are very intellectual.

What you have to do is try to approach the class YOUR way. Before you attempt to study a chapter or go to a class, ask yourself, what are some of the hands-on applications of the subject matter at hand? Then do the following...
- Ask (write down) some hands-on practical application questions before you start to read...then look for the answers as you read and as you listen to the lecture.
- Ask your professor some practical application questions
- Seek out projects in which you could apply what is being taught...make it as hands-on as possible...get involved in these projects
- Do outside reading to discover examples of how the course principles were applied

A more radical solution...switch to a major that's more hands-on.

As for focus...you don't have to focus on everything at once. The trick is to shut everything out except the particular chapter or course at hand.

I'm sorry to say, but you're going to have to figure out on your own how to "learn it your way." Your professors will always teach it their way, almost never reach out to you to teach it your way.

Good luck.

Answer 5

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