One of the first steps in improving a student's academic performance is
determining the student's best learning modality. A learning modality is a
way of using sensory information to learn. There are three basic modalities
that a person uses to process material in his/her memory. Those three types
are visual, auditory, and kinesthtic. Visual learners learn best by seeing
something. Auditory learners do better with hearing. Kinesthic learners
need to touch something, do something, or move around in order to learn.
All students use all three modalities when learning; however, most tend to
have one that is dominant over the others. In order to determine which
modality is dominant, students can take a modality or left brain/right brain
assessment. One such assessment is found on my academic links page. Once a
student knows which modality is dominant for him/her, he/she can use that
information to become better learners.
Visual learners can use the following study aids to assist them in becoming
better learners.
form pictures in your mind take notes
see parts of words use "cue" words
use notebooks use color codes
use sudy cards use photographic pictures
watch educational movies use charts, graphs
use maps demonstrations
draw/use drawings use exhibits
watch lips moving in a mirror use guided imagery
use mnemoic devices such as
acronyms
visual chains
mind maps
acrostics
hook-ups
Auditory learners can use the following study aids to assist them in
becoming
better learners.
make up rhymes/poems use tapes
speak/listen to speakers read aloud
talk to yourself repeat things outloud
use rhythmic sounds have discussions
listen carefully use spoken directions
sound out words use theater
say words in syllables
use mnemonic devices such as
word links
rhymes
poems
lyrics
For those students who are kinesthetic learners, the following study aids
can
help you.
pace/walk as you study physically do a task
practice by repeated motion breathe slowly
write on surfaces with finger exercise
associate feelings with concept dance
associate feelings with information write
write lists repeatedly take notes
stetch/move in your chair watch lips move in front of a mirror
use the following mnemonic devices
word links
rhymes
poems
lyrics
There are numerous ways that students can become better learners. One way
is to become a better reader. Students often find themselves reading
passages without being able to remember what they read. One method they can
use to remember the things they read is the SQ3R method.
S = Survey (read the heading and scan the chapter)
Q = Questions (make up questions that you think the section should
answer based on the headings)
R = Read
R = Recite (say outloud what you read; summarize the reading)
R = Review (review what you have read)
