Learning Styles

Learning Plateau

A period in which progress in learning appears to be at a standstill. Their motivation for learning, real or perceived, "flattens out".

Define Learning Style

"A learning style is a more or less consistent way in which a person perceives, conceptualises, organises and recalls information. In other words, a learner has a preferred learning style. This could be a preference for learning through visual activities as opposed to, for example, audio activity. There are other preferences, as we will see below. Proponents say that learning styles are influenced by the individual's genetic make-up, previous learning experiences, culture and society."

VAK Theory (developed from Neuro-Linguistic Programming research, or NLP)

"The preferred approach: "The VAK analysis identifies three learning styles: Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (sometimes an a is added in: kinaesthetic). Sometimes kinesthetic is said to include tactile learning and sometimes this is added as a separate learning style. Visual learners are likely to prefer mind-maps, diagrams, picturesque language, flow charts, use of colour, white space on the page etc. Auditory learners are likely to prefer discussion, explaining things to others, using a tape recorder, and teaching linked to anecdotes/jokes etc. Kinesthetic learners are likely to prefer group work, using models/objects in describing things, walking around while learning, hands-on activities, books with strong plot etc."

Kolb's Theory

"The work of Kolb and others produced the classification of learners into four groups: activists, reflectors, theorists and pragmatists. Activists like practical work such as labs, field work, observation exercises and using visual source material for information etc. Reflectors like to learn by watching others, by taking time to consider observations of their own experience etc. Theorists like lectures, reading papers on topics, considering analogies etc. Pragmatists like simulations, case studies, homework etc."

How to Break the Learning Plateau: 4

Be an honest mentor. "We often confide in people who tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear." Tell the students when they are not doing well rather than let them feel (and have others tell them) that everything is fine.

Visual Learning Techniques

Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process Make outlines of everything Copy what's on the board Ask the teacher to make a diagram/sketch Take notes, make lists Watch videos Colour code words Outline reading Use flashcards Use highlighters, circle words, underline

How to Break the Learning Plateau: 2

Encourage them to take risks. "There is no growth in the comfort zone" - Alejandra. Note: the Plateau Effect impacts high-achievers the most due to them desperately wanting to avoid failure.

How to Break the Learning Plateau: 1

Explain the Plateau Effect to the students. It is completely natural for this to happen and help them understand that all learning is a non-linear process.

How to Break the Learning Plateau: 5

Get them back to the basics. Having students review the basics, even when at the advanced level, can assist in not only giving a refresher, but can offer new insight and assist in progressing even further.

How to Break the Learning Plateau: 3

Get them to embrace their failure. "Learners have to permit themselves to fail." Use failures as stepping-stones to succeed and even utilize the Power of Yet!

Autonomous Learners

Have insights into their learning styles and strategies Take an active approach to the learning task at hand Are willing to take risks, i.e., to communicate in the target language at all costs Are good guessers Attend to form as well as to content, that is, they place importance on accuracy as well as appropriateness Develop the target language into a separate reference system and are willing to revise and reject hypotheses and rules that do not apply

How to Break the Learning Plateau: 6

Help them think long-term. While stuck in the short-term, students are likely to stay plateaued due to the overwhelming feeling of not getting anywhere (e.g. writer's/artist's block). However! Thinking long-term will assist students in realizing that plateaus come and go. Have them reflect on a time when they thought they couldn't get any better, only to break the plateau and keep progressing. Help them realize that this feeling isn't forever! "If it was possible then, it's possible now."

Kinesthetic Learner Characteristics

Is good at sport Can't sit still for long Is not great at spelling Does not have great handwriting Likes working in science labs Studies with loud music on Likes adventure books, movies Likes role playing Takes breaks when studying Builds models Is involved in martial arts or dance Is fidgety (restless) during lectures

Auditory Learner Characteristics

Likes to read to self out loud Is not afraid to speak in class Likes oral reports Is good at explaining Remembers names Notices sound effects in movies Enjoys music Is good at grammar and foreign languages Reads slowly Follows spoken directions well Can't keep quiet for long periods Enjoys acting and being on stage Is good in study groups

Learning Strategy Examples

Repeating new words in their heads until they remember them Experimenting/taking risks by using recently learned language in conversations Guessing the meaning of unknown words Asking the teacher or others to offer feedback about their use of language Using the foreign language as much as possible without resorting to their native language Recording themselves speaking, then analysing and correcting their pronunciation Asking a speaker to repeat what they said Deciding what area of vocabulary they need to learn and then learning it Thinking about how to remember all the new words they learn in each lesson and then writing each one on a separate card to review Paraphrasing, or using language indirectly to say what they want to say

Kinesthetic Learning Techniques

Studying in short blocks Taking lab classes Role playing Taking field trips and visiting museums Studying with others Using memory games Using flash cards to memorise

Auditory Learning Techniques

Using word association to remember facts and lines Recording lectures Watching videos Repeating facts with eyes closed Participating in group discussions Using audiotapes for language practice Taping notes after writing them

Visual Learner Characteristics

Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things. Look over the characteristics below to see if they sound familiar. A visual learner: Is good at spelling but forgets names Needs quiet study time Has to think a while before understanding a lecture Likes colours and fashion Dreams in colour Understands/likes charts Is good with sign language