Previously, I discussed the importance of planning lessons to meet the needs of the three major types of learners: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
In my next articles, I will now begin to discuss the characteristics of each of those types. I will also give ideas for helping and reaching these learners in the classroom.
Auditory learners learn best by listening and communicating with others. Auditory learners do well with lectures. Older auditory learners can listen to a good speaker for hours.
They often express themselves best through written and oral means of communication. This group usually contains good communicators. This group makes up what we often consider to be the tradition type of learners. This type of learner created “the student sits and listens to the teacher” method of teaching.
These learners like a quiet room. They do best when working on one task at a time. They can be distracted easily by noise and find hands on projects to be bothersome and time consuming.
Auditory learners work well in a group with other students where communication between the students can take place. They often need to speak aloud their ideas and thoughts. They are also good with listening to books and information on tape. In some cases, they may read things aloud to themselves to help make sense of what they read.
Most auditory learners enjoy sharing their information through speeches and presentations.
These learners often interpret and try to make meaning out of words. When hearing a song they may listen to the words versus listening to the music.
Auditory learners may enjoy talk shows on televisions or on the radio. They like to listen carefully to others and how see how others express themselves.
Auditory learners are often good at memorizing information from speeches and lectures.
Check back for how to reach auditory learners in the classroom.