Orientation

Welcome to the online student orientation

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Table of Contents

• The Pathway to Success in Your College Course
• Time Management
• Study Environment
• Learning Styles
  • Learning Styles Activities
• Reading Skills & Strategies
• Note Taking
• Memory Techniques
• Preparing For and Taking Tests
• Computer Basics
• Distanct Learner Handbook
  

Learning Styles (top)

Do you have to see a name or address in writing in order to remember it?  

Do you put instructions aside and refer to them only if you run into trouble putting a bookcase together or using a new computer program?

Do you enjoy audio books or do you find your mind wandering as you listen?

Your answers to these questions relate to your preferred learning style and like clothing, one learning style doesn't fit all.

Take the learning style inventory at http://www.vark-learn.com/english/index.asp to identify your preferred learning style from among the following (note that some inventories show only three learning styles: visual, aural, and kinesthetic). Then, view the VARK helpsheets at http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=helpsheets to develop effective study skills for your preferred learning style(s).

• visual learners learn through seeing

These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flip charts and hand-outs.  During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

If you are a visual learner, here are some suggestions just for you:

• use visual materials such as pictures, charts, maps, graphs, etc.
• have a clear view of your teachers when they are speaking so you can see their body language and facial expression
• use color to highlight important points in text
• take notes or ask your teacher to provide handouts
• illustrate your ideas as a picture or brainstorming bubble before writing them down
• write a story and illustrate it
• use multi-media (e.g. computers, videos, and filmstrips)
• study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbances
• read illustrated books
• visualize information as a picture to aid memorization
• aural learners learn through listening

They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

If you are an aural learner, here are some suggestions just for you:

• participate in class discussions/debates
• make speeches and presentations
• use a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notes
• read text out aloud
• create musical jingles to aid memorization
• create mnemonics to aid memorization
• discuss your ideas verbally
• dictate to someone while they write down your thoughts
• use verbal analogies, and story telling to demonstrate your point
• read/write learners learn through reading and writing

These learners learn best by reading and re-reading the textbook and their notes, writing and rewriting their notes, and in general, organizing items into lists.

• kinesthetic learners learn through moving, doing, and touching

Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

If you are a tactile/kinesthetic learner, here are some suggestions just for you:

• take frequent study breaks
• move around to learn new things (e.g. read while on an exercise bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept)
• work at a standing position
• chew gum while studying
• use bright colors to highlight reading material
• dress up your work space with posters
• if you wish, listen to music while you study
• skim through reading material to get a rough idea what it is about before settling down to read it in detail.

 

• multimodal

These learners don't have a single preferred learning style. They learn best through combinations. If you have multiple preferences you are in the majority as somewhere between fifty and seventy percent of any population seems to fit into that group.

VARK is one of many learning style inventories. Here is some other sites: http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm and http://www.chaminade.org/inspire/learnstl.htm. If you want to try others, do a search on the Internet.

Now that you know your learning style(s), try these activities to see how your learning style can affect performance.

Activity A

1. Go to the Learning Resources site at http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/home.html.
2. Click on the Story Archives button.
3. Select a story that interests you.
4. Select Story and read the text.
5. After reading the story, click on Multiple Choice and answer the questions.

   How did you do?  Go to the next activity.

Activity B

1. Go to the Learning Resources site at http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/home.html.
2. Click on the Story Archives button.
3. Select a story that interests you.
4. Select the Movie option (you will need RealPlayer) to watch the video of the story. Do not read the text of the story.
5. After watching the video, click on Multiple Choice and answer the questions. 

How did you do? Go to the next activity.

Activity C

1. Go to the Learning Resources site at http://literacynet.org/cnnsf/home.html.
2. Click on the Story Archives button.
3. Select a story that interests you.
4. Select the Movie option (you will need RealPlayer) to watch the video of the story.
5. After watching the video, go back and read the text of the story.
6. Click on Multiple Choice and answer the questions.

How did you do? 

Was your score higher on one of these activities than on the others?  If so, it may be a result of your learning style.  Learn to use this to your advantage.

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