Helping Colorado Students and Parents Understand Learning Styles

Your learning style is the way you acquire information. Students learn faster and retain more when information is presented to them in their learning styles of choice. Most people have a dominant learning style, but they can still learn when information is presented in another learning style. Teachers should present information in ways that appeal to all learning styles, but they may not always have the time to do so. When you know what your student’s learning style is, you can tailor information so that they can understand and process it better.

The Seven Learning Styles

Verbal (linguistic): Verbal students prefer using words to communicate, both in speech and writing. They like to read and take notes.

Physical (kinesthetic): These students prefer using their body, hands and sense of touch. They enjoy learning that is action-based like science experiments, making projects and working with their hands.

Visual (spatial): Spacially-oriented students prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding. They work well when information is presented in graphs, pie charts, infographics, pictures or video.

Aural (auditory-musical): These students prefer using sound and music. They like listening to lectures or talks.

Solitary (intrapersonal): These are independent learners who prefer to work alone and use self-study.

Logical (mathematical): These students prefer using logic, reasoning and systems. They are great with math and science.

Social (interpersonal): Social students prefer to learn in groups or with other people. They love organizing study groups and collaborative projects.

Consult your Teachers and Tutors

Ask your teacher or tutor to help to determine your student’s dominant learning styles. Most students use a combination of styles to assimilate information. While they will have a dominant style, it’s important to remember that styles are dynamic. That means that with practice, your student can adjust to any style of learning.

Once you know what your student’s preferred learning style is, you can teach them to arrange material to suit their style. For example, if your student prefers a visual learning style, organize information that they need to understand into graphs, infographics, mind maps and pictures. Let them watch videos on the subject and allow them to create videos and visually-oriented presentations for their projects. Presenting information in their learning style will help them to understand and remember.

Your tutor can help to teach your students how to arrange information into a more favorable format and how to tailor study skills to suit different subjects. Ask your tutor to give a brief test to determine learning style preferences.

Here are some resources for finding out your learning style online. Most of these resources are short tests which help you to see which learning style suits your student best. Do two or three to get a better idea of the learning styles that your student prefers:

NC State University

Vark

How to Learn

Education Planner

LDPride

Edutopia

Accelerated Learning

The 7 best New Year's Resolutions for Colorado High School and College Students

Knowing how to start the New Year is important, especially as a high school or college student in Colorado. Here are the 7 best New Year's resolutions to make this your best year of school.

1. Learn to handle stress.

Don’t spend all day in the library, depriving yourself of social contact. Go out for walks, take short frequent breaks, and talk to your friends. Remember that there is more to life than college, and it will soon pass. Do something that makes you happy every once in a while. If you’re feeling overwhelmed because of your course load, take a look at the number of units you’re taking and talk to your advisor.

2. Stop procrastinating.

Set a weekly study schedule and stick to it. Write down everything that you have to do in order of importance, and complete tasks accordingly.  You can break down large tasks into smaller parts and set a deadline for each, which also works when studying for an exam. Once you divide a large project into more manageable parts, it will seem less stressful and easier to do. Also, consider joining a study group, which will hold you accountable for studying on time and help you understand the material better.

3. Meet new people.

College is the perfect time to meet new people and try new things. Take the initiative to hang out with the people you seem to click with. Put yourself in places where potential friends are, and then meet and talk to them. By keeping an open mind, you can make some lifelong friendships. You can meet people at the dining hall, your favorite study spot, or any other place that you continuously go to where you begin to see the same people. 

4. Talk to your professors.

Go to their office hours, or talk to them before or after class. You can talk about anything covered in class that you’re struggling with, or something that you loved. This will show your professor that you care about the class and are making an effort, and you may end up with a higher grade. Plus, you never know when you might need a reference letter from them in the future.

5. Sleep more.

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your grades. Use earplugs and sleeping shades if you need to, and make sure to turn off your electronics. You might also want to start studying early and space it out so that you can avoid pulling all-nighters. Also, take 20 min. power naps if you need to between classes. 

6. Get moving.

Remember to add a workout to your schedule. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain and helps you stay focused in class. It is one of the best stress relievers and can help keep you sane during finals. It can also help you sleep better at night.

7. Keep your resolutions.

To ensure that you keep your resolutions this year, write them down and keep them in a place where you can easily see them every day. You can also tell your friends and family about your resolutions so that they can give you moral support.

-Abigail R