It is commonly held belief that most people lean toward some particular method of interacting with, consuming, and processing information or stimuli.  This is a person’s learning style.

Learning styles are different ways people can learn; a consistent way in which they choose to respond to and use information or stimuli in the context of learning.

No one else processes information in exactly the same way you do. But if you discover how you process information best, you can learn things more efficiently and in less time.

Over 70 learning style models have been proposed, each consisting of at least two different styles. Psychologists and neuroscientists have questioned the scientific basis for most of these models and the theories on which they are based. Continuing research by cognitive scientists is impacting long held theories and educational models making this a dynamic area of debate relating to how people learn.

WARNING: These various learning styles or intelligences are categories that help us to discover the different forms of mental representation; they are not good characterizations of what people are (or are not) like. In other words - do not pigeon-hole people.  We are all capable of learning under any style or intelligence no matter what our particular preference may be. Use this information as an enhancement of your learning strategies.

What is the purpose of knowing your style?

As a student, learning is your profession.  Every profession demands a skill set.  This is an introduction to metacognitive (thinking about thinking) skill set.  In higher education the focus is on you; you will be expected to study on your own. During each year of your matriculation, the percentage of individualized effort will increase. Understanding your own preferred learning styles can help you study more effectively by using techniques that can really improve the way you:

a) perceive information;

b) process information and;

c) organize and present information.

You can expand the strategies you use for learning and studying. When learning something new or difficult, you naturally tend to use the learning style you prefer. It is good to know what this learning style is so that you can respond most effectively to the material being presented. Even when the material is not presented in the way you prefer, you can use your knowledge of learning styles to adjust and be flexible, no matter whom your instructor is or what the topic might be.

What are your Styles of Learning?

There are several competing theories about how people learn, and websites where you can assess your natural learning style. (If you want to follow this up further, there are references at the end of this section.) Listed below are a few websites that will give different types of feedback and evaluations.

Go to each of the websites listed and complete the surveys.  Copy the scoring results and maintain for your records.  The more honestly you answer, the more accurate the results.

                 (This is NOT an endorsement of these websites 

- DON’T BUY ANYTHING! -

use the free test/survey portion of the site.)

Hemispheric Dominance Inventory

http://www.mtsu.edu/~studskl/hd/hemispheric_dominance.html

 What's Your Learning Style

http://www.usd.edu/trio/tut/ts/stylest.html

 The Rogers Indicator of Multiple Intelligences

http://www.personal.psu.edu/staff/b/x/bxb11/MI/MIQuiz.htm

These are just a few of the available sites on the web!  If you find that this information helps, please continue to research the topic. There are many ways to work better and smarter without working harder! (Although there is nothing wrong with hard work – which I am sure you are doing J).

 Once you have your “learning style”, go to “study skills”.