Learning Styles

Identifying and Teaching to Pupil Needs.

The Three Learning Styles

When planning a lesson we have to

consider the learning styles of the pupils. The three styles that pupils usually follow

are:

Visual Auditory

Kinaesthetic

This is what we call VAK…

Visual

If you use the visual style, you prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate

with others. You can easily visualize objects, plans and outcomes in your

mind's eye. You also have a good spatial sense, which gives you a good sense of direction. You can easily find your way around using maps, and you rarely get lost. When you walk out of an elevator,

you instinctively know which way to turn. The whiteboard is a best friend. You love

drawing, scribbling and doodling, especially with colors. You typically have a

good dress sense and color balance (although not always!).

Auditory Auditory learners learn best by

hearing information. They can usually remember information more

accurately when it has been explained to them orally. The following characteristics are typical of

individuals with strong auditory processing skills:

1. Remembering information from Lectures/Conversations.

2. Strong Language Skills 3. Good oral communication

4. Learn new Languages easily5. Musical Talents

Kinaesthetic Kinaesthetic pupils 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. This would appear to be true of a number of boys and maybe partly responsible for lack of concentration and ‘switch off’. Building different activities into lessons will be of real benefit to

these pupils, as is the structure of the three-part lesson, which may overcome some of the problems associated with doing the same

activity for long periods.

Our Pupils

Learning Styles0

5

10

15

20

25

30

VisualAuditoryKinaestheticVisual & Auditory Visual & Kinaes-theticKinaesthetic & AuditoryVis/Kin/Aud

A survey completed 27.09.2012 by Year 8 pupils show that most are Visual Learners!

Our Lessons In our lessons we have to appeal to all styles of learning. During our

planning we are encouraged to consider what elements of our lessons include VAK. As you can see here from our lesson criteria, we need to

appeal to all learning needs if we are to become outstanding teachers.