There are so many times that we’re wrong about students with learning disabilities. This is because they usually aren’t. Sometimes, they just aren’t aware of the teaching method that works for them, or it just doesn’t exist at their school. As a teacher, this article provides you insight on the different types of students, depending on their learning methods;
1. Visual learners
These are the type of students that only learn what they see. Their brain mainly interprets visual information through things like;
- Images/ photographs
- Illustrations
- Maps
- Motion pictures/ movies
- Seeing the actual objects
For these students, there has to always be a visual representation of what is being taught, because that’s the best way they can process it.
2. Kinesthetic learners
Kinesthetic students are the type of students that learn what they do. They read and understand, but there remains a small gap that can only be filled by doing things like;
- Practical computer lessons
- Lab experiments in which they’re involved
- Literature re-animation of book scenes
- Art and craft design
3. Auditory learners
This is the type of learners that learn what they hear. This doesn’t mean they’re blind, but it’s easier for them to visualize something they’ve heard, than seen. They learn through things like;
- Radio shows
- Podcasts
- Audiobooks
4. Stress learners
These are learners that can only grasp information under stressful situations, and/or learn what stresses them. Here are the situations under which they learn;
- Last-moment studying
- Very complex subjects
- Learning in order to evade punishment
Of course, this condition of studying is unreliable, because studying at the last moment is an unreliable trait. However, students can take advantage of this and create conditions to keep themselves on their toes, like;
- Setting strict time frames within which tasks have to be accomplished
- Always visualize the stakes and act accordingly
5. Ease learners
This is the type of learners that learn best when they’re peaceful and comfortable. This means they usually can’t learn under pressure. They usually learn;
- Very simple subjects
- Subjects they’re passionate about
- What they enjoy with their friends
- Subjects with lively teachers
6. Scribble learners
Writing is one of the best forms of mastering something. This is because the brain does numerous repetitions of the same statement as long as you write it.
The scribble students just learn something best after they’ve written it out under the following circumstances;
- Taking notes
- Annotations
- Summarizing notes
7. Trust learners
These are the types of students that only learn from the sources they trust, and can’t learn otherwise. These are the circumstances under which they can learn best.
- Teachers they personally trust
- Accredited teachers
- Experienced practitioners
- People they respect and/or fear
8. Teachers
So many people learn by teaching others, and that method has been proven to work for even adults. These are the circumstances under which students can learn by teaching;
- Discussing with other students
- Teaching others below them
- Writing an essay, dissertation or blog
9. Copy learners
Just so you get this straight, I don’t mean copying in examinations as a way of learning. Below are the ways that these learners learn by copying;
- Copying notes from others
- From sources around the web
HOW TO IDENTIFY THEM:
1. Ask them
Some students are almost fully aware about themselves, meaning they probably know what works best for them. If they don’t know, that’s a better start to help them experiment and find out.
However, students don’t have to lie about it because lying only makes things worse and stalls progress.
2. Ask their parents
Some parents know their children more than they probably know themselves. Sometimes, it’s important to sit and ask them about their children, so you can understand them better.
3. Ask their friends
Students have friends, and though these might not be the right people to ask technical questions, you can ask them to observe their friends’ behaviors.
It is most likely that what they observe their friends do, will give you a better understanding of what works them.
4. Ask them to try finding themselves
Students are usually unaware about themselves, and that can pose a long term threat, unless they work around it.
By trying to find themselves, students become better placed to learn more and perform better.
5. Test for yourself
This is the best way you can find out how your students learn, and what works for them.
The best way to make this happen is to try out all these teaching methods and see how well their students respond.
Conclusion;
Just because these students learn a certain way, doesn’t mean they can’t learn by any other way. They just learn faster by their preferred methods, but everyone can adjust as long as they put in enough work for a reasonable period of time.