Learning and Thinking Style
Learning and Thinking Style
Learning and Thinking Style
Learning - Thinking
Style
Refers to the preferred way an individual process information
Describe a person’s typical mode of thinking, remembering or
problem solving
Denotes tendency to behave in a certain manner
Learning - Thinking Style
1. Sensory Preferences
2. Global-Analytic Continuum
Sensory Preferences
Sensory Preferences
Individuals tend to gravitate toward one or 2 type of sensory
input and maintain a dominance on that senses.
Kinds of Sensory
Preferences
1. Visual Learners
Learners must see their teacher’s actions and facial expression to
fully understand the content of a lesson.
They may think in pictures and learn best from visual aids.
Prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.
Sub-Division of Visual
Learner
Visual-Iconic
More interested in visual imagery such as films, graphic displays
or pictures in order to solidify learning.
Have good “picture memory” or iconic imagery and attend to
pictoral detail
Visual-Symbolic
Comfortable with abstract symbolism such as mathematical
formulae or the written word.
Like to read about things than hear about them
Good abstract thinkers who do not require practical means for
learning.
2. Auditory Learners
Learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things
through and listening to what others have to say.
Written information may have little meaning until it is heard
Not easily distracted in their listening ability.
Sub-Division of Auditory
Learner
“Listeners”
Remembers things said to them and make information as their
own.
“Talkers”
One who prefer to talk and discuss.
Find themselves talking to those around them.
They tend to whisper comments to themselves.
3. Kinesthetic Learners
Benefit much from hands-on approach,
actively exploring the physical world around
them.
May become distracted by their need for
activity and exploration
Prefer “learning by doing” preferring the use
of psychomotor skills.
Tend to have good motor memory and motor
coordination.
Global-Analytic Continuum
1. Analytic Continuum
Tend toward the linear, step-by-step processes of learning.
See finits elements of patterns rather than the whole.
“tree seers”
2. Global Continuum
Tend towards non-linear thought and tend to see the whole
pattern rather than particle elements.
Attention only to the overall structure and sometimes ignore
details.
“forest seers”
Global-Analytic Continuum is also called
Left/Right-brain Continuum. (Roger
Sperry)
Left Brain dominant individual is portrayed
as a linear (analytic).
Right-brain person is one who is viewed as
global, non-linear and holistic in thought
preferences.
One side may be more dominant than the
other.
Successive Processor
(Left Brain)
Prefers to learn in a step-by-step sequential format, beginning
with details leading to a conceptual understanding of a skill.
Simultaneous Processor
(Right Brain)
Refers to learn beginning with the general concept and then going
on the specifics.