Bright Hub Education

Bright Hub Education

  • Teaching Tools
    • Teaching Tools
    • Classroom Management
    • Education Industry
    • Student Assessment Tools
    • Teaching Methods
  • Preschool and Early Ed
    • Preschool and Early Ed
    • Infant Development
    • Parenting Tips and Advice
    • Preschool Crafts and Activities
    • Preschool Lesson Plans and Theme
    • Preschool Teaching Strategies
    • Toddler Activities and Ideas
  • Elementary School
    • Elementary School
    • Grade School Activities
    • Lesson Plans for Pre-K and K
    • Lesson Plans: Grades 1 - 2
    • Lesson Plans: Grades 3 - 5
    • Parenting Grade Schoolers
    • Teaching Younger Students
  • Middle School
    • Middle School
    • English Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • History Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • Math Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • Parenting Preteens and Tweens
    • Science Lessons: Grades 6-8
    • Social Studies: Grades 6-8
    • Teaching Middle Schoolers
    • The Arts: Grades 6-8
  • More
    • High School(7)
    • Homework Help(20)
    • Special Ed(11)
    • More Areas(4)
More
High School (7)
Homework Help (20)
Special Ed (11)
More Areas (4)
English Lessons: Grades 9-12
High School Teaching Tips
History Lessons: Grades 9-12
Math Lessons: Grades 9-12
Parenting Teens
Science Lessons: Grades 9-12
The Arts: Grades 9-12
English Help
Geography Facts
Help with German
Help with Latin
Help with Writing
History Help
Language Learning Strategies
Learning Chinese
Learning French
Learning Italian
Learning Japanese
Learning Spanish
Literature Study Guides
Math Facts
Miscellaneous Languages
Science Homework Help
Science Projects
Social Studies Help
Study and Learning Tips
Test Preparation
Behavioral Disorders
Gifted and Exceptional St...
Hearing Impairments
IDEA, IEPs and The Law
Inclusion Strategies
Learning Disorders
Neurological Disorders
Physical Disabilities
Special Ed: Parent Perspe...
Speech Disorders
Visual Impairments
Homeschooling Advice
Summer Learning
Teaching a Second Language
Teaching ESL Learners
    Skip to content
    768

    Characteristics of Learning Modalities: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic

    Teaching Methods, Tips & Strategies / By Keren Perles / Teaching Methods, Tools & Strategies

    Introduction

    Different people learn in different ways, and these ways are called “learning modalities." The most common learning modalities are visual (or through sight), auditory (or through hearing), and kinesthetic (or through action). The characteristics of learning modalities may vary from student to student, but understanding some of the most common ones can help you identify a student as a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner and enable you to discover ways to teach each student most effectively.

    Visual Learners

    Visual learners share most of the same learning characteristics, although not every visual learner has all of these characteristics. For example, a visual learner often notices visual details easily, and is less able to take note of details during a verbal discussion. They may find verbal instructions difficult to remember and follow. Visual learners often enjoy reading, and may be especially talented at remembering the proper spelling of words. Teachers can help visual learners succeed by providing them with graphic organizers, illustrations, or tables, which are easier for them to understand than a string of words.

    In addition, many visual learners have very neat handwriting, impressive organizational skills, and a meticulous appearance. They may remember faces easily, and some visual learners are artistic as well.

    Auditory Learners

    Auditory learners often enjoy class discussions, and they learn the best through listening and speaking. They may enjoy books on tape or read alouds more than individual reading, and they may talk to themselves while reading. In fact, an auditory learning may gain from speaking through a thought process in order to make a decision or come to a conclusion. Many auditory learners excel in public speaking or in persuasion, and they benefit from a teacher who speaks a lot, rather than simply writing information on the board. Some auditory learners find it difficult to focus on written instructions or details, but they will remember information if it is put to a tune. They may also enjoy singing and music in general.

    Kinesthetic Learners

    Kinesthetic learners learn through their sense of touch, as well as through physically doing things. Because of this, kinesthetic learners may struggle with reading, which is primarily a visual skill. They may seem anxious or fidgety in many learning situations, tapping their feet, pencils, or anything else around. Kinesthetic learners often learn best through doing hands-on experiments and activities, doing demonstrations, and physically moving as they study. Many kinesthetic learners “talk with their hands," using gestures or motions to get their point across. They enjoy being in motion, and may excel in sports or other physical activities. Rewards for a kinesthetic learner should be physical whenever possible.

    These characteristics of learning modalities do not apply across the board, but they can helpful in identifying a student as having a certain modality. The next article in this series will give you some tips you can use once you know which modality each of your students most strongly identifies with.

    This post is part of the series: All About Learning Modalities

    Many students are unaware of how they learn best. This series discusses the three main types of learning modalities – visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners – as well as tips teachers can use in the classroom.
    1. Identifying Learning Modalities: Characteristics of Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learners
    2. Working With Learning Modalities: Tips for Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learners

    Post navigation

    ← Previous Post
    Next Post →
    Copyright © 2019 Bright Hub Education. All Rights Reserved.
    About | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
     

    Popular Pages

    • Home

    More Info

    Recent

    • Using Movement to Keep Kids Engaged in Class
    • How Can We Improve the American Education System?
    • Crowdfunding Your Classroom Projects with Donors Choose
    • Teaching Children How to Fail Successfully
    • The Benefits of Mobile in Filmmaking Education
    • STEM Curriculum Tools: Best 3D Printing Programs for Schools
     

    Search Here:

    Navigation

    • Teaching Tools
    • Preschool and Early Ed
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • Top Menu

    Keep In Touch

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Google+
    © 2019 brighthubeducation.com. All rights reserved.
    • Privacy Policy