Understanding your learning style = effective study skills for YOU.

What’s your style?

No I’m not talking about your fashion, and I don’t care whether you are into grunge, emo or low riding (seriously boys, I think the trend ended a while back)

I am asking you whether you know your personal learning style.  I am sure you have completed these types of checklists before. 

 Learning Styles Checklist

The checklist I think is great is based on the Hogan / Champagne Personal Style Indicator and the Kolb Learning Style Indicator.  It is from the book Effective Study Skillsby Judy Roberts.  It is aimed at university students so some of the language may sound strange.  Just change the following:

Professor = teacher

Lecturer = class

Lecture = when teacher spends a lot of time talking to class without stopping

Instructor = teacher

Her instructions were:  For each pair of statements, circle the letter of the response that best describes you.  Answer as honestly as you can.  At the end of each section of the informal measure, read the recommended study strategies.

What is so great about her questionnaire is that she gives you study strategies specific to your learning style.

Section 1:  Competitive or Collaborative Learner

Section 2:  Structured or Unstructured Learner

Section 3:  Auditory or Visual Learner

Section 4:  Spatial or Verbal Learner

Section 5:  Practical or Creative Learner

Complete Learning Style Assessment

1. Open up a word document or get out a piece of paper and name the Document “My Effective Study Skills”
2. Complete a section and then copy the recommended study strategies into the document
3. After all sections are completed, save and print the document.  Put in your Study Folder.  Refer to the strategies often.
4. During the next week try and implement one or two strategies.  Don’t try and do all at once.  Remember, habits take time to create.