Learning styles inventory revised

RTI Learning Styles Inventories
1
L.S.1
Background:
Most students master a fact or concept without serious difficulty. However, there are other students who seem
to need information presented another way- they often require correction and re-teaching. If the material is
simply presented another time in the same manner, little is accomplished. These students may need their
materials presented using a different approach in order for them to learn. It is important to look at that student’s
preferred learning style and then present the materials accordingly.
What can we do to determine a student’s learning style?
In the following pages, there are inventories for elementary and secondary students and an observation check
list to assist in determining learning styles. A minimal amount of time is required to administer and to score.
After the student’s preferred learning style is determined, there are numerous ways to provide materials and
presentations to accommodate that style. The remainder of this section includes the characteristics of each
learning style, teaching strategies, suggested materials, and helpful tips for the students themselves.
What are the types of learning styles?
Visual learners- learn through seeing
As a visual learner, the students may:
 Need to see the teacher’s body language and facial expressions to fully understand the content of the
lesson
 Prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual distractions
 Prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information presented during a lecture or classroom discussion
 Prefer using pictures and images to gain understanding of new ideas and information
 Process what is heard or read and translate that information into meaningful images for future recall
 Recognize words by sight , use list to organize their thoughts and recall information be remembering
how it was laid out on a page
Auditory Learners-learns through listening
As an auditory learner the student may:
 Prefer using sound and music to acquire information
 Learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking through and listening to what others have to
say
 Interpret underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed, and other
nuances
 Like the teacher to provide verbal instructions. Written information has little meaning until it is heard.
 Solve problems by talking about them
 Often use rhythm and sound as memory aids
RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION
LEARNING STYLES

2
L.S.2
Tactile/ Kinesthetic Learners- Learn through moving, doing, and touching
As a tactile/ kinesthetic learner, the student may:
 Prefer using their body , hands, and sense of touch to learn new information
 Learn best through hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them and utilizing
activities such as projects and demonstrations
 Find writing, drawing and movement are often useful memory aids
 Find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time and becomes distracted easily by their need for
activity and exploration
Multi –sensory Learners
As a multi-sensory learner, the student may:
 Be more comfortable using a variety of modes to acquire new information
 Need to be given the freedom in the learning environment to select which learning style will bes t
enable them to process the content being taught
 Find that they are more comfortable using the learning styles – visual, auditory, or tactile/kinesthetic-
to explain information to others

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L.S.3
The following checklist may be used to identify students’ learning preferences in various areas.
Responsibility and Persistence Sound
o Completes projects quickly and neatly
o Completes projects quickly, but not neatly
o Completes projects slowly and neatly
o Completes projects slowly, but not neatly
o Does not always complete projects
o Works best when given specific instruction
o Cleans up work area upon completing task
o Needs reminding to clean up work area
o Is easily distracted while working on a project
o Remembers assignments
o Does quality work during quiet time
o Does quality work during regular work time
o Does quality work with music in the background
o Complains when there is too much sound
o Has difficulty remaining quiet during quiet work
time
o Makes noises or sound while working
o Reminds others to be quiet while working
Classroom Design Motivation
o Has difficulty sitting properly
o Enjoys lying down while listening to stories
o Sits correctly during work periods
o Stands by work area during work periods
o Works best with much reassurance
o Needs teacher feedback while working
o Works best when allowed to be creative
o Initiates projects
o Volunteers information about projects and
discussion topics
Perception Structure
o Enjoys books and film strips
o Is attentive during story time
o Likes to hear records or tapes during work time
o Remembers what others say
o Likes to visit classmates
o Enjoys playing with toys with small pieces
o Likes to draw or doodle
o Likes to move around during work or play
o Likes to create and react to play situations
o Likes to complete projects independently
o Likes to complete projects step-by-step
o Keeps work area neat
o Tends to misplace supplies
Social Tendencies Mobility
o Likes to work or play with a group
o Likes to work or play near a teacher
o Likes to work or play alone
o Creates opportunities to visit the teacher
o Leaves chair frequently during work periods
o Often makes excuses to move around the classroom
o Is extremely active during free play periods
LEARNING STYLES: AN OBSERVATION CHECKLIST

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L.S.4
How Do I Learn?
Place a check () in all the blanks that describe you. The list with the greatest number of checks is how
you like to learn best.
Visual Learning Style
1. I remember best by writing things down or drawing pictures.
2. I ask for directions to be repeated.
3. I like to read about something rather than hear about it.
4. I am a good speller.
5. I like to learn with posters, videos, and pictures.
6. I am good at reading maps and graphs.
7. When someone is talking, I create pictures in my mind about what they are saying.
8. After school, I like to read books.
9. I like it when my teacher uses lots of pictures when teaching.
10. I can remember something if I picture it in my head.
How many checks () did you have?
LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY- ELEMENTARY
DATE:_______________ Student Name: __________________ Grade: ______________
Campus: _______________________

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L.S.5
Remember to place a check () in all the blanks that describe you.
Auditory Learning Style
1. I remember best if I hear something.
2. It is easier for me to listen to a story on tape than to read it.
3. I understand better when I read out loud.
4. I follow spoken directions well.
5. I like to sing or hum to myself.
6. I like to talk to my friends or family.
7. Music helps me learn things better.
8. I can easily remember what people say.
9. It helps when the teacher explains posters or pictures to me.
10. I can remember more about something new if I can talk about it.

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L.S.6
Remember to place a check () in all the blanks that describe you.
Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style
1. I remember best if I can make something that tells about what I am learning.
2. I would rather play sports than read.
3. I like playing card or board games to learn new things.
4. I like to write letters or write in a journal.
5. I like it when teachers let me practice something with an activity.
6. I like putting together puzzles.
7. If I have to solve a problem, it helps me to move while I think.
8. It is hard for me to sit for a long time.
9. I enjoy dancing or moving to music.
10. I like to act things out to show what I have learned.

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L.S.7
Tell Me . . .
Which list had the most () checks?
Which list had the fewest () checks?
Did you have any lists that had the same number of () checks?
If so, which ones?
Do you think the list that had the most checks () tells how you like
to learn best?
What Does It Mean?
Visual Learning Style
 Pictures help you learn.
 Seeing things helps you organize your
 thoughts and remember things.
 You think in images or pictures. Auditory Learning Style
 It helps for you to talk out loud.
 Sound and music help you learn.
 You learn best when you hear things more than
once.
Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning Style
o It helps you to use your body, hands and sense
of touch to learn new things.
o Writing, drawing and movement help you
remember important things.
o You like to show what you have learned by
demonstrating or making projects.
Source: Stetson and Associates, 2004

8
L.S.8
For each group of statements, check the box that best represents how you like to learn.
Remember to give only one answer for each group.
1. (a) I remember new things best if I write the information down.
(b) I remember new things best if I hear the information.
(c) I remember new things best if I can do an activity with the
information.
2. (a) I prefer reading to hearing a lecture.
(b) I prefer to hear a book on tape rather than reading it.
(c) I would rather play sports than read books.
3. (a) When I meet someone new, I am most likely to remember what they look like.
(b) When I meet someone new, I am most likely to remember what they talked about.
(c) When I meet someone new, I am most likely to remember what they were doing.
4. (a) I use diagrams and scribbles to communicate ideas and information.
(b) I can easily remember what people say.
(c) I like playing card or board games to learn new things.
LEARNING STYLES INVENTORY- SECONDARY
DATE: _______________ Student Name: __________________ Grade: ______________
Campus: _______________________
Page 1

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L.S.9
5. (a) I like new information to be taught by using posters, videos, and pictures.
(b) If I have to learn something new, I learn best if someone tells me how to do it.
(c) I learn new information best by making models, posters, or doing something with the
information.
6. (a) When I take a test, I picture my notes or textbook in my head.
_____(b) When I take a test, I do better if I can tell about what I know rather than write
about it.
_____(c) I can demonstrate my knowledge best when I can create something that explains what
I have learned.
7. (a) I enjoy learning about new things by reading about them.
(b) I can remember more about something new if I can talk about it, rather than read it.
(c) I learn best if I get to make something related to what I am learning.
8. (a) I learn new words and vocabulary best by looking at the words over and over.
(b) I learn new words and vocabulary best by saying the words to myself over and over.
(c) I learn new words and vocabulary best by writing them over and over.
9. (a) I remember new things better if I write them down.
(b) I can remember things best by listening rather than reading.
(c) I remember best if I can do something.
10. (a) I like to make lists of things I need to do.
(b) I like talking better than writing.

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L.S.10
(c) I like to write letters or write in a journal.
11. (a) I like teachers who illustrate concepts with lots of diagrams and pictures.
(b) I like teachers who spend a lot of time explaining a concept.
(c) I like teachers who let me practice the content by doing an activity.
12. (a) In my spare time, I would rather read a book.
(b) In my spare time, I would rather watch TV or listen to music.
(c) In my spare time, I enjoy working on jigsaw or crossword puzzles.
13. (a) I like to take notes while I study.
(b) I like to listen to music while I study.
(c) I like to eat while I study and take lots of breaks.
14. (a) If I have to explain to someone how to do something, I like to draw pictures or
diagrams to help explain.
(b) I enjoy creating a song or using music to describe what I am learning.
(c) I prefer to act things out, or role-play, to demonstrate how to do something.
15. (a) I can remember information from class if it is written on the board.
(b) I can remember the jingles from TV commercials or advertisements.
(c) If I take things apart, I can remember how to put them back together again.
16. (a) I am good at reading maps and graphs.
(b) I know most of the words to the songs I listen to.

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L.S.11
(c) I enjoy dancing or moving to music.
17. (a) I prefer to see a map rather than listen to someone give me directions.
(b) I prefer for someone to give me directions verbally.
(c) I prefer to create a map and write down the directions that people give me.
18. (a) When others are talking, I create pictures in my mind of what they are saying.
(b) I like to talk on the phone with my friends for long periods of time.
(c) I am good at sports and enjoy engaging in many different activities.
19. (a) I like to read magazines that use pictures and diagrams to illustrate the information.
(b) When I am alone, I like to sing, hum or have music playing.
(c) It is hard for me to sit for a long period of time.
20. (a) When I put something together, I always read the directions first.
(b) I enjoy listening to information on the radio or books on tape.
(c) If I have to solve a problem, it helps me to move while I think.

12
L.S.12
Scoring
For each group of responses, indicate with an X the item you marked as best representing you. Total
each column.
Group (a) (b) (c)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Total:

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L.S.13
Results
The column with my highest score was .
The column with my lowest score was .
I had two or more columns with scores within three points of one another. These columns were ,
and .
What Does It Mean?
(a) (b) (c) Similar Scores
Visual Learner Auditory Learner Tactile/Kinesthetic
Learner
Multi-Sensory
Learner
 If the column with your highest score was the (a) column, you are most likely a visual learner.
 If the column with your highest score was the (b) column, you are most likely an auditory learner.
 If the column with your highest score was the (c) column, you are most likely a tactile/kinesthetic
learner.
 If you had two or more columns with scores within three points of one another, you are most
likely a multi-sensory learner.
Visual Learners
 As a visual learner, you prefer using pictures and images to gain understanding of new ideas and
information.
 You often recognize words by sight, use lists to organize your thoughts and recall information by
remembering how it was set out on a page.
 You think in images or pictures. You process what you hear or read and translate that information
into meaningful images for future recall.
Auditory Learners
 As an auditory learner, you prefer using sound and music to acquire information.
 You learn best by hearing and listening and filter incoming information through your listening and
repeating skills.
 You like the teacher to provide verbal instructions and you like dialogues, discussions and plays.
 You solve problems by talking about them.

14
L.S.14
 To assist with recall, auditory learners often use rhythm and sound as memory aids.
Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners
 As a tactile/kinesthetic learner, you prefer using your body, hands and sense of
touch to learn new information.
 You learn best when you are actively involved in the learning process such as with
hands-on activities like projects and demonstrations.
 Writing, drawing and movement are often useful as memory aids.
Multi-Sensory Learners
 As a multi-sensory learner, you are comfortable using a variety of modes to acquire new
information.
 Given the freedom in the learning environment, you can easily select which learning style will best
enable you to process the content.
 Not only do you use a variety of approaches to learn new information, you are comfortable using
any of these styles - visual, auditory, or tactile-kinesthetic - to explain information to others.
Source: Stetson and Associates, 2004
LEARNING STYLES: CHARACTERISTICS OF AUDITORY LEARNERS

15
L.S.15
 Learns through listening
 Learns best through verbal lectures, discussion, talking things through, and listening to
what others have to say
 Interprets the underlying meaning of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch
,speed, and other nuances
 Prefers directions given orally
 Seldom takes notes or writes things down
 Prefers lectures to reading assignments
 Often repeats what has just been said
 Talks to self
 Often benefits from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder
 Sits where they can hear but needn't pay attention to what is happening in front
 Hums or talks to himself/herself or others when bored
 Acquires knowledge by reading aloud
 Remembers by verbalizing lessons to themselves (if they don't they have difficulty
reading maps or diagrams or handling conceptual assignments like mathematics).
 Inattentive to visual task- when given a worksheet, the student fiddles with it, shreds
the paper, doodles on it.
 Appears board/ restless during films
 Does not like art/ drawing
 Cannot remember what they have read to themselves
 Has trouble numbering papers in sequence
 Terrible speller on written work
 Math errors show consistent patterns: inattention to signs, confusion of numerals,
and reversal of numerals
 Confuses similar words when reading such as “bought” and “brought”
 Poor on matching activities when lines must be drawn
 Mumbles when reading or doing seat work
 Points when reading
 Papers are poorly organized and are very messy
 Does not do well when taught to read using the sight word approach
LEARNING STYLES: TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR AUDITORY LEARNERS

16
L.S.16
 Teach students to change visual material into auditory. The emphasis for this student
is on hearing and speaking. The student’s best source for learning is teacher’s voice,
their own voice, tapes/CDs.
 Include tactile/kinesthetic materials while teaching
 Consider giving alternate seating arrangements. Seat students to the front on board
work days and to the back on lecture days
 Give oral directions
 Teach the student to talk through the task
 Provide auditory and rhyming cues
 Encourage the student to use a ruler, marker, or place card to complete their paper
and pencil task
 Make sure you have the student’s attention before giving them directions
 Teach fine and gross motor skills to improve handwriting
 Use jingles, catchy stories, mnemonic devises, cheers or songs to aid the student in
mastery and/or retention of skill
 Allow the student to spell or recite words or information to be learned onto a cassette
tape
 Color code math symbols or important written information
 Use puzzles, raised maps, globes, and color coding to improve map skills
 Provide worksheets that are dark, clear, and easy to read
 Allow student to use ruler when drawing lines for matching activities
 Allow students to sub-vocalize or point while reading or doing assigned work
 Use a phonetic approach to reading and spelling
 Use oral test occasionally and require oral responses
Materials to use with auditory learners:
 Tape recorder
 Records
 Cassette tapes
 CDs
 Audio-visual aids- movies
 Pocket charts
 Hook boards
 Electronic speaking dictionary
 Electronic speaking calculator
Organizational Skills:
LEARNING STYLES: MATERIALS & ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS FOR AUDITORY
LEARNERS

17
L.S.17
 Student should limit items on desk
 Provide markers and liners as guides for worksheets and materials that must be read
 Encourage the student to use a “window” or bookmark to block words when reading
 Color code papers to aid discrimination
Tips for auditory learners:
READING:
 Read your work aloud
 Try to get books that have audio/ CD
 Have someone to read to you or tape for you if
you are not a good reader
 Say words silently in your head
Writing:
 Plan the sentences you want by saying it aloud or
silently
 Say it several times the way you want it
 Write it slowly as you say it
 Dictate your sentences using a tape recorder and
then play it back as you write
Spelling:
 Hear the spelling of the word
 Say the word and then say each letter out loud
 Close your eyes, spell the word, and check once
more
 Now write the word while you are trying to hear it
in your mind
 Use a dictionary
Math:
 Try to learn your math while saying it out loud
 Explain it to yourself out loud
LEARNING STYLES: CONTENT TIPS FOR AUDITORY LEARNERS
LEARNING STYLES: CHARACTERISTICS OF TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

18
L.S.18
 Touches everything
 Moves a great deal while reading
 Gets up and walks around frequently
 Rubs hands along walls while walking down hall
 Touches desk when moving up and down the aisle
 Often writes things over and over
 Can take gadgets apart and put them back together again
 Has many things to play with at school
 Enjoys doing things with hands
 Well coordinated
 Frequently makes airplanes and fans with paper
 Wants to use concrete objects as learning aids
 Learning abstract symbols (letters, numerals, map symbols, math symbols)
 Seems to be an underachiever
 Appears immature and needs to explore environment more than peers
 Seems hyperacti
 Provide as many tactile/Kinesthetic materials as possible. Let the student literally feel what
they are learning
 Allow the student to trace over projected image on the wall or board (diagrams, maps,
words)
 Give instructions first, then pass out materials
 Touch the student or hold their hand while talking to them. Communicate
approval/disapproval and restraint through touching
 Keep work periods short and gradually lengthen them. Vary activities during the day to
offset long periods of sitting. These students learn best while active
 Seat the student close to you.
 Color code handouts and materials
 Make work assignments specific
 Let the student make material for you and create bulletin boards
 Use methods, such as, Finger Math and air writing
 Make the student an active part of the learning experience. Students can type, role play, or
construct models
 Allow student to move around the room as part of learning
 Chunk assignments
 Use simultaneous and body action games
 Teach students to create daily diaries or journals
 Have student chart their progress
 Combine creative dramatics in reading
LEARNING STYLES: TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR TACTILE/KINESTHETIC
LEARNERS
LEARNING STYLES: MATERIALS & ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS FOR
TACTILE/KINESTHETIC

19
L.S.19
Materials to use with Tactile/kinesthetic Learners:
 The student will learn most effectively when real objects, models, 3-D objects and manipulative
materials that can be touched and moved are used.
 Good manipulative:
Computers Globes Abacus Hook-boards Felt-tipped pens
Calculators Typewriters Relief Maps Pocket charts Finger paints
Models Trays to write in (filled with sand, salt, jello)
 Make raised letters by allowing white liquid glue to dry in the shape of the words written. Let the
student trace these letters with their fingers or use letters cut from sandpaper or formed with yarn.
 Alter paper and pencil task to create a cut and paste format. Ex: instead of labeling the skeletal parts
on a worksheet, the student could cut out and assemble the skeletal system.
Organizational skills for tactile/kinesthetic learners:
 Have students number their assignments , Check to determine if there are any numbers
missing for the day
 Complete instructions and ask the student if they need clarification before distributing
materials
 Assist the student in organizing their desk
 Keep their desk free of distractions
 Help student makes a personal organization goal- assist in planning step-by-step organization
 Allow the student to prepare their own schedule of work including the time in which to
complete the work

 Clear off your desk
 Cover the page you are not reading
 In you are distracted by noise wear ear plugs or earphones
 Divide your work into short sections
 Use a timer to keep you on track
 Put books and things needed for school the next day in one certain place
 Have a date book/ agenda
 Paste your schedule inside the cover of your notebook/binder
 Sit as close to the teacher as possible
 Between classes, plan your route and have all necessary books and supplies
LEARNING STYLES: TIPS FOR TACTILE/KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

20
L.S.20
 When studying try the multi- sensory approach (hearing, seeing, touching, and
doing) as much as possible
 Get enough sleep
 Study in a quiet place
 Ignores verbal directions
 Questions and directions must usually be repeated
 May be able to sit in a noisy area without being distracted
 Low vocabulary
 Poor articulation
 Frequently appears to daydream; often has a blank look during lecture
 Watches teacher’s lips closely
 Causes trouble when teacher is explaining things at the board
 When directions are given, the student watches others and then begins
 Says “huh” often
 Prefers to show or demonstrate then to tell or explain
 Dislikes music class- prefers art class
 Does poorly with phonics
 Gets lost in rote memorization activities
 Often answers with one word, or incomplete sentences
 Doodles during instruction
 Substitutes gestures for words
 Often speaks loudly
 Dislikes speaking before groups and does not like to listen to others
 Has trouble distinguishing words which sound similar when spoken
 Frequently cannot remember information given verbally
 Substitutes words similar in sound or meaning
 Responds less rapidly that their peers to sounds, such as bells or sirens
 Can locate words quickly in the dictionary if they know the spelling
 Is completely lost if they must look up a word to determine the spelling
 Often misunderstands instructions or material presented verbally
LEARNING STYLES: CHARACTERISTICS OF VISUAL LEARNERS
LEARNING STYLES: TEACHING STRATEGIES FOR VISUAL LEARNERS

21
L.S.21
 Use visual materials
 Help them change what they hear into visual symbols
 Teach them to visualize to see the word problems, images, etc.
 Use color coding on worksheets and on the whiteboard
 Use the sight word approach, experiences, and whole word configuration to teach
reading
 During instructional periods, be certain that you do not turn away from the student
while you are talking. They have to see your mouth
 Allow the student to read silently more often than orally
 Use dictation exercised
 Provide written directions
 Place student near blackboard
 Teach students to visualize acronyms
 Encourage student to keep assignment log
 Decrease external visual stimuli by using study carrels or seating students away from
bulletin boards
 Noise may disturb the student while they are working, give them headphones
 Use a great deal of oral language extensions with the student to improve verbal skills
 Repeat oral instructions:
o In steps
o With visual cues
o Ask the student to repeat them
o Touch the student when cueing
 Model the skill to be taught
 Use word families to discriminate long vowel sounds and short vowel sounds
Look at everything. Make short outline for things you have to study. Make list, write notes, amd write
down homework assignments in a datebook/ agenda. Have your parents and teachers write notes to you.
Have a notepad with you at all times.
READING
 Use sight words and flashcards
 When trying to figure out
words, look for words you
WRITING
 Jot down ideas
 Make a rough draft, skipping
lines to allow room for
LEARNING STYLES: TIPS FOR VISUAL LEARNERS

22
L.S.22
already know within them
 You are a look and say learner
corrections and additions
 On essay test, make quick
outlines on scratch paper or in
the margin of the test before
you answer in writing
SPELLING
 See the word- close your eyes
 Make a picture and then read
from your picture
 Write the word
MATH
 Visualize the problem
 Make pictures or tallies of the
problem on scratch paper
 Write the problem

Learning styles inventory revised

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