Good tutors have always realised the importance of using a mix of teaching ‘inputs’ to get across the subject matter of each module and to stimulate and engage their students. Typically, a good session will involve some oral delivery by the tutor with discussion and questions to the class.
There will also be visual/written inputs such as:
- slides
- flipcharts
- handouts
- videos
Finally, there may be a task or two where students need to apply their knowledge. This might be solving a problem or proposing an HR initiative. They address the problem from start to finish and present a solution. They are ‘doing’ HR
Having a mix of teaching inputs and learning methods is good practice for two reasons;
- Long sessions where the only delivery is via endless text based Powerpoint slides or whiteboard notes would test the patience of even the most committed student. (Maybe you have suffered in the past!)
- Secondly, the best teachers understand that different students have different ‘Learning Styles’ or preferred ways of learning.
What are the different learning styles?
Some learn best by listening and discussion (Auditory Learners).
Others learn best from visual sources and respond to models, graphs, mindmaps and visual images. (Visual Learners)
Another type of student learns best by reading texts or text based sources and making notes. (these are the ‘Read/Write’ style of learners)
A final group learns best by ‘doing’… by trying something and learning as they go and learning by doing (Kinaesthetic Learners)
Of course, we can all learn to some extent with each of these methods (we are all, to a degree, ‘multimodal learners’) but for most people, there is one preferred style that works best for them.
How can you spot the different styles?
Next time you are in a classroom, take a look around. See if you can identify different learning styles. In a class of 20, there will probably be those students who arrive with notepads and with slides printed out ready for the session. They note down key points made by the tutor and make their own additional notes as the session progresses. Some really appreciate any handouts issued. They are diligent and they generally succeed.
Other students sit through a session rarely making notes… They (hopefully) listen carefully, they ask questions and they enjoy discussion. When group tasks are set in a session there are those who engage fully and enjoy the challenge of the tasks whilst others seem impatient for the tutor to continue to deliver ‘notes’ or slides. These students are displaying their preferred styles.
What’s your study style?
To begin to understand your preferred learning style ask yourself ‘What’s the best way for me to learn a new language or learn to cook?
By knowing how you learn best, you are most of the way to understanding how you can study smarter. This will help you to focus on the study methods that work for you. But MUCH MORE… you will appreciate that sometimes, perhaps when you are giving a presentation or when you are training or developing staff, they too will have mixed learning styles…. Don’t immediately assume that the person not taking notes is not LEARNING!
So… Crunch time!
Which is YOUR preferred style?
1. Auditory?
2. Read/Write?
3. Visual?
4. Kinaesthenic?
Want to do a test to find out your preferred style? CLICK HERE.
Now you know, you must target the study methods that work best for you.
We use all the learning styles – there is no good, bad, better or worse – only different. The magic is in knowing the order that works best for you. For some types of learning you may have a strong and obvious preference and knowing that can really help you get started when facing a new challenge.
Please do contact us on 0208 239 1323 or courses@acacialearning.co.uk if you’d like to chat about CIPD courses or HR training.
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