LEARNING CHARACTERISTICS SCALE

Directions: Read each statement below and check where you feel you fall on the grid in relation

to your own experience.

5=Always 4=Usually 3=Sometimes 2=Occasionally 1=Never	5	4	3	2	1
1. I am talkative and often accused of talking too much.
2. If I pay careful attention to a lecture, I can remember its main points
3. I can remember directions when they are told to me.
4. I have an ear for music, lyrics, rhymes, and/or languages.
5. I usually remember a person=s name after hearing it once.
6. I prefer written or diagramed directions rather than oral.
7. I remember a new name or a word best if I write it down.
8. I make lists of things I must remember to do.
9. I remember better when I read a textbook than when I listen to a lecture.
10. I must take good notes to remember the main points.
11. I like to snack, chew gum, walk around, etc., when I study.
12. If someone is showing me how to make or to do something, I want to grab it and try it myself.
13. When I am learning a new activity, I imagine my body doing it or I actually move so I can understand.
14. I do my best, most profound thinking while walking, doing dishes, showering, or some other activity.
15. I feel restless while sitting still in a classroom or reading a book.

Auditory ___________________ Visual _____________________ Kinesthetic _____________________

Learning Characteristics Scale

The learning characteristics scale can be used to determine your own personal preferences for audio, visual, or kinesthetic approaches to learning. Obviously, this inventory is an informal assessment as there can be many other factors that enter into the learning process. Knowledge of learning style can be most helpful to students, instructors, tutors, or advisors as a tool to improve motivation, learning, and achievement.

Directions for using the Learning Characteristics Scale:

1. Read each statement on the Learning Characteristics Scale and check where you feel you fall on the grid in relation to your own experience.

2. Add the first five grid scoresBStatements 1-5--and enter that total on the Auditory line at the bottom of the worksheet.

3. Add the next five grid scoresBStatements 6-10Band enter that total on the Visual line at the bottom of the worksheet.

4. Add the next five grid scoresBStatements 11-15Band enter that total on the Kinesthetic line at the bottom of the worksheet.

5. Compare the three scores. The highest score usually indicates your learning style preference. The closer your scores are, the more you tend to use them equally.

6. Review the table below for Practical/Personal suggestions for Auditory, Visual, and Kinesthetic learners.

PRACTICAL/PERSONAL SUGGESTIONS

VISUAL LEARNER	AUDITORY LEARNER	KINESTHETIC LEARNER
1. Ask to be shown, rather than told, whenever possible. 2. Tape record lectures; take notes from tape. 3. Systematically study vocabulary. 4. Plan varied and extensive reading. 5. Other.	1. Always read text and notes aloud. 2. Participate actively in class discussions. 3. Read for short periods of time; read short books. 4. Type your assignment if handwriting is difficult. 5. Tape record classes. 6. Arrange for oral testing. 7. Attend Group Study sessions. 8. Other.	1. Act out lessons and stories physically or in your mind. Feel what you are learning. 2. Plan breaks during your study session so you can move around. Drink, find a book on the shelf, move to the blackboard or computer. 3. Go for a walk or drive while you review a lesson or discuss a reading. Tape your review sheets on the wall and study while you wash dishes. 4. Consider your ideas for assignments and papers while in the shower. 5. Use body movements, dance, gesturing, or physical actions in your learning. You can go over the movement in your mind and imagine how your body feels. 6. Use concrete objects as learning aids when you=re trying to understand an explanationBespecially objects that are easily manipulated. 7. Create your own learning aidsBflash cards, maps, time lines, or 3-D models. 8. Other.