By Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D.
Does your learning style make a difference in eLearning? If you are new to eLearning, you may be surprised to find that the way you learn in an online course is slightly different than in a face-to-face environment. Non-verbal communication plays a much more vital role in a face-to-face environment, and group interactions and teamwork often feel much more comfortable in a traditional classroom. At the same time, though, you may find that keeping track of the information that you're working with is easier as you take courses online, and you feel more organized and more confident about your work, deadlines, and expectations.
Learning preferences are often tied to what have come to be known as "multiple intelligences." You have probably had some acquaintance with the notion of multiple intelligences, and you may understand yourself and your learning styles, at least in a traditional course or classroom.
The concept was introduced in 1985 when Harvard psychologist and educator Howard Gardner published his theory of multiple intelligences. It was based on several years of research investigating how we come to know what we know about our world. How do we learn, process, and understand information? What is the process by which we acquire knowledge?
Understanding yourself can help you become a better eLearner. It can help you develop strategies for more effective studying, and it can also help you understand how and why some parts of the course are easier for you to learn than others.
If you would like to determine your learning style, you can take assessments here.
Types of multiple intelligence:
Visual/Spatial Intelligence
Heightened capacity to perceive the visual. Visual/spatial learners tend to think in terms of graphics, and learn best when they create vivid mental images to grasp, retain, and access information. They enjoy looking at maps, charts, pictures, videos, and movies. If you’re a visual/spatial learner, be sure to focus on the graphics, and relate the information you need to learn back to visual cues.
eLearning success: Visual/spatial learners do well in eLearning courses that contain maps, graphics, illustrations, and logically arranged text.
Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
Heightened capacity to use words and language. These learners have highly developed auditory skills and are generally eloquent speakers. Verbal/linguistic learners think in words rather than graphics.
eLearning success: If you are a verbal/linguistic learner, be sure to focus on opportunities to listen to stories, and to restate the information in your own words. Writing and rewriting the works will help you. Post frequently to the discussion board.
Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
Heightened capacity to use reason, logic and numbers. Logical/mathematical learners think conceptually in logical and numerical patterns making connections between pieces of information. They are inquisitive, and need to ask questions, and enjoy conducting experiments.
eLearning success: If you are a logical/mathematic learner, be sure to diagram your course content, and think of the inter-relationships.
Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
Heightened capacity to control body movements and handle objects skillfully. Bodily/kinaesthetic learners express themselves through movement. They have a good sense of balance and eye-hand co-ordination. (sports, tools). They will feel comfortable by interacting with the space around them, and thus are able to remember and process information.
eLearning success: If you are a bodily/kinaesthetic learner, be sure to participate in any interactive quizzes. Try to make sure to click, use muscles, and type as you think.
Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence
Heightened capacity to produce and appreciate music. If you are a musical/rhythmic learner, you will begin to think in sounds, rhythms and patterns.
eLearning success: In this case, in online courses, any music or sounds will help you remember the content and instructional activity.
Interpersonal Intelligence
Heightened capacity to relate and understand others. Interpersonal intelligence-focused learners try to see things from other people's point of view in order to understand how they think and feel. Such learners are very intuitive. It is important for them to maintain harmony in groups.
eLearning success: If your learning style focuses on interpersonal intelligence, you will benefit from collaborations and social learning. It would be an excellent idea for you to participate in the discussion board as much as you can, and to get involved in collaborations and group work, as well as team assignments. If you have a chance to interact in real time (chat, video or audio chat), that would be ideal.
Intrapersonal Intelligence
Heightened capacity to self-reflect and be aware of one's inner state of being. If are a learner who haves strong intrapersonal intelligence, you will tend to try to understand their inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, and strengths and weaknesses.
eLearning success: As you take your course, try to recognize your own your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the course content to start reflecting and analyzing yourself. Use the information in the course to build awareness of your inner feelings, desires and dreams.
Download the podcast of this blog post at:
http://community.elearners.com/blogs/inside_elearning/attachment/16346.ashx
Sources:
Lazear, David. (1991). Seven Ways of Knowning: Teaching for Multiple Intelligences (Palentine, IL: IRI/Skylight Publishing).