Appendix 3: Learning styles

Understanding the way I think and learn

People with dyslexia hear and see normally but may have difficulty remembering what they hear and see. This is called processing information. Brain scan experiments have shown that people with dyslexia use different areas of the brain to process information.

We all absorb information in different ways. This is often referred to as learning styles. Some people learn best through listening, some by seeing, and others by doing. There are also combinations of these. Understanding how we each absorb and process information is useful in the workplace or during study and can improve the way we work.

There are three main learning styles:

Auditory - using sounds and words.

Visual - using your own images, imaging pictures in your mind.

Kinaesthetic - active learning, doing, touching, practicing things.

There can also be a combination of these, for example, auditory-visual or auditory-kinaesthetic. All three styles together are known as meta-cognitive learning.

Think of your learning experience and try and identify the activities which you prefer, as this can help identify your learning style.

• Auditory: Audio recordings, dictation, lectures, video conferencing, radio, discussion, using mnemonics to remember facts, taking part in debates, and reading aloud
• Visual: Computer based learning, photographs, presentations, pictures, or diagrams, using interactive multimedia, using mind maps, flow charts, or colour coding your notes
• Kinaesthetic: Interactive software, field trips or visits, computer-based learning, activity-based learning, rehearsing, and performing, using movement to stimulate memory, drawing diagrams and mind maps, or using games.

Dyslexia may cause individuals personal difficulties as well as the more obvious task related problems. Some people may not be very self-confident. It is important that individuals are able to accept the areas where they have strengths and recognise those where they have weaknesses. Self-reflection is an important tool for everyone’s learning experience.

Common strengths of people with dyslexia include being:

• Inventive
• Practical
• Good at sport
• Good at problem solving
• Good visual spatial skills
• Creative
• Articulate.

A key tip for individuals with dyslexia is to try not to worry if you cannot do a task, everyone has challenges. Having a positive and honest attitude will earn you much respect.

Evidence suggests that people remember:

• 10% of what they read
• 20% of what they hear
• 30% of what they see
• 50% of what they hear and see
• 70% of what they say and write, and;
• 90% of what they say as they do something. 

 

Top of page