Learning Styles

Traditionally, schools present information in two ways through language and through formulae involving numbers and logic. Psychologists, however, now say there’s a problem with this.People have different strengths and different learning styles to match these strengths.For example, one person might struggle with information in a paragraph but understand it immediately in a diagram.Another person will struggle with the diagram but not with the paragraph.
Psychologist Howard Gardner of Harvard University has said there are at least seven learning styles:
Linguistic
These people will learn by using language ? listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
Logical
These people learn by applying mathematical formulas and scientific principles.
Visual
These people learn by seeing what they are learning.
Musical
Instead of finding music a distraction, these people learn well when information is presented through music.
Kinesthetic
Movement and physical activities help these people to learn.
Intrapersonal
These people have a good understanding of themselves and can learn best if they can relate what they are learning directly to themselves.
Interpersonal
These people have a good understanding of others and learn well by working with others.
If schools present information in all these ways, psychologists say, all students will benefit.Students who have a linguistic or a logical learning style will be able to develop new strengths.Students with other learning styles will learn more and have more success in school - and possibly in life.
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