When we as educators think of learning styles we think of the three major styles: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic. These major three can be broken down into smaller subsets or combined into several variations or we can add additional learning components, but in the end these three labels can tell us a lot about a learner.
After taking several learning style quizzes/tests over the years I know that I score most strongly in the Visual category but I also tend to score high in the Kinesthetic category. My theory on this is the fact that I am a science person - while I need to see things in order to understand I also need to be tactile in my learning. When I look at Gardners Multiple Intelligences, I score highest in Visual/Spatial and Logical/Mathematical areas. Both of these areas explain my love for science.
As I reflect on my own learning styles I realize why I was so uninterested in many of my college courses as an undergrad. Sitting in a lecture hall for hours on end listening to a speaker does nothing for my learning styles. I think back to my US History through the Civil War class. I enjoyed the class, our prof was very knowledgeable and energetic, but I really only remember two things from that class. Whalebones were used in colonial corsets and Andrew Jackson was tall. Looking back at these facts I want to yell about how much that class cost me, but I know why I learned "nothing" in that class - our instructor simply lectured from the first second of class to the last. Many times as a class we would get caught up in the stories our prof told us, but if I didn't write down detailed notes, make charts or draw pictures everything was out of my mind as soon as I walked out the door. I remember the whalebones tidbit because on the day of our lowest attendance we were told that would be the extra credit answer on the next test and I wrote it down in my notes, circled it, highlighted it and drew little pictures around it. Andrew Jackson stands out because our prof was kind of short and during one story he jumped up on the table in the front of the lecture hall every time he was speaking as the former President. Because I saw the action and associated it with Jackson I remember that lecture very vividly - but can't tell you one thing the prof said! Even in my science courses, I struggled to get through lectures (which didn't include visual aids) but excelled in the lab. I could finally see what was talked about the week before and understand its importance. Thankfully I was motivated enough to read the textbook on my own and take detailed notes for most classes, but I can still think back to courses that relied less on the textbook and more on the lectures and how they were much more difficult for me.
Since more of the population fall within the visual learners category (and because it is my strength), I tend to cater to those students in my classroom. Being a science class we also tend to pick up the Kinesthetic learners during labs and demos (gotta love those student helpers!). I also keep a drawer of stress balls that my true Kinesthetic learners can play around with while they work/listen (also works great for ADD and ADHD kids). Auditory learners aren't completely swept under the carpet - I do lecture for short periods during several classes a week and their online activities include the option to have the information read outloud. I guess its important to try to hit as many kids as you can and this is where UDL can help too. By varying the components of the lesson or unit teachers can be more successful in reaching all types of learning styles.
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