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December 14, 2021

Accommodating Different Learning Styles in the Classroom

Teaching is a profession that requires flexible thinking. Since every student has their own style of learning, both the subject and technique must be taught. A few of the most common styles can be incorporated into any topic.

Visual Learners

Visual learners are fairly easy to spot in a classroom. They may become distracted during lectures or have trouble with long reading assignments. Students who primarily learn through visual stimulation are often good at reading maps, visualizing other places and diagramming.

To best accommodate students who learn visually, incorporating graphs, pictures and whiteboards can help. Pages of text should be used conservatively to prevent daydreaming and poor comprehension.

Simple techniques can be incorporated inexpensively throughout the school year. Different color highlighters are one way to categorize information in a way that’s easy to digest. Drawing cartoons or showing examples of a specific concept is likely to help visual learners remember information.

Auditory Learners

Students that prefer to read or listen to words are generally considered auditory learners. For this type of student, extra supplies are not necessarily needed. Lectures and literature are beneficial for the average auditory learner.

Playing music is another opportunity for auditory learners to comprehend information. Creating songs to memorize steps is particularly helpful for classes that have a visual component. Math and geography can be particularly tough for auditory learners. Memorization from jingles is a handy technique for students.

Speaking out loud is encouraged for auditory learners. By talking out the steps, they can process what they are doing in a way that can make sense. This can be done at school or at home.

What Is Tactile Learning?

Audio and visual learning is widely understood within the education system. Tactile or kinesthetic learning, however, is a relatively new approach.

Tactile learning is typically designed for students that need to physically experience information in order to understand it. Hands-on experiences allows students to practice with real-life stimulation. This interactive learning style can be remembered by any student.

Kinesthetic learning experiences do not have to be expensive. Students can experience certain situations without ever leaving the classroom. To accommodate tactile learners, using texturred paper and colored pens can help. Role playing historical events or potential future events is another way to keep tactile learning inside the classroom.

Learning Differences Are Common

Different learning styles help students excel in unique ways. By understanding how a student learns best, they can incorporate those skills into other areas of their life. Visual, auditory and tactile learners all have strengths that can be encouraged by the right teacher.

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