Critical Management Skill #2 - "Three Type of Learners"

Critical Management Skill #2

"Three Types Of Learners"

Adapt your teaching style to the students needs.

As humans we use our five senses to help us learn about and understand the world around us. When working with a student it is important to teach them in such a way that they can understand. Therefore, as instructors we should become magicians at understanding how a student learns and match our teaching methodology to the students learning methodology.

I have found that students learn in three general ways:

1. VISUAL Learners:

a. These students learn best by watching. Much like “monkey see – monkey do.” You know you are dealing with a Visual Learner when they say: “I can’t see it in my mind’s eye.” “I am just not seeing it.”

2. AUDITORY Learners:

a. This person learns most by listening. They have to hear it to internalize it and make it their own. You know you are dealing with an auditory learner when they say things like: “I am not hearing you.” “That doesn’t sound right.”

3. KINESTHETIC Learners:

a. This person learns by doing. They have to feel the technique. You can tell you are working with a kinesthetic person when they say things such as “You know I am just not feeling it.” “This doesn’t feel right to me.”

Once we understand the different learning styles possible among our students, we quickly realize that when working with any group of students, there will be a mixture of Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic Learners in the group. Therefore, you need to teach in such a way that you are able to communicate in a language that each type of learner will be able to understand best.

I have found that the best way to teach this mixed bag of learning styles is to implement the following:

1. I must demonstrate the technique I want modeled and duplicated (directed toward visual students).

2. While at the same time I must breakdown and explain the technique while physically demonstrating it (for the Auditory Students).

3. We must then (as a group) walk through the technique together (for the Kinesthetic Students), while at the same time positioning myself so everyone can see (for the Visual Students), and remember to increase the volume of my voice while explaining and demonstrating (for the Auditory Students).

4. Finally, we are only good at the things we practice. Repetition is the mother of skill and consistency is the father. We must master the art of disguising repetition to keep our classes fun, productive and exciting.

Dedicated to your achievement,

Garland R. Johnson

Assistant Professor Garland R. Johnson