A Reason Your Child May Have Trouble Learning

As an educational psychologist, I have been working with children for many years, most of which have trouble learning. Based on my many years of experience, I know how difficult it is to see your child struggle and how painful it is when learning is such a challenge. I also know that as a parent you might have feelings of inadequacy because you don't know what to do or how to help your child. Maybe you've even been told that the situation is helpless. Well, I'm here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, there's a good chance that your child is a right brain learner. And although very little is written about right brain learning, it may be creating havoc in your child's life.

The Signs of a Right Brain Learner 

Allow me to ask you a few questions. Have you noticed your child grabbing things out of your hand in order to show you something? Or maybe your child has poor handwriting or weak spelling skills? Possibly your child struggles with mastering basic reading and/or basic math facts. Perhaps you've observed your child making careless errors or simple mistakes. Have you noticed your child talking a lot with their hands and moving around a great deal when they speak? A right brained reader may also display sensitivity to light, sound or smells. These are some of the signs that could very well mean your child is a right brain learner. However, this child has creative abilities that are often overlooked in the school environment, which means they are being held back because of something they can't help.

The Definition of a Right Brain Learner 

What exactly is a right brain learner and is there something you can do to help your child? I say with an emphatic YES, there is something you can do. Let me start by explaining a little about the right brain learner. Until only recently, very little has been known about a right brain dominant child, yet this child learns differently. They have difficulty grasping and retaining new concepts. This happens when the brain is not effectively passing information from the left hemisphere (the language center) to the right hemisphere (conceptual processing). A right-brained thinker often struggles with learning from traditional workbooks, class lectures or independent reading because the right hemisphere requires strong visual images in order to conceptualize new concepts. This type of learner will struggle when "more words" are used to learn "new words". A Right Brain Dominant child may be missing pictures for new concepts, key vocabulary words, and abstract words (such as "a", "the", "of ", "is", etc.), stopping the brain from experiencing conceptual meaning and understanding.

Do Not Disregard the Value of Strong Right-Hemisphere Thinking 

While the logical, language-based elements of the left hemisphere of the brain are as important as ever, in our fast-paced world, we can no longer afford to disregard the value of strong right-hemisphere thinking. Our modern economy demands that your child capitalize on the ingenuity inherent to the right side of the brain, therefore learning large amounts of information through the manipulation of visual images, making split-second decisions, and taking risks in the learning process are increasingly becoming more valued skills. Traditional, left-hemisphere teaching methods are simply not adequate to develop cutting edge, whole brain thinking. In other words it is critically important that this type of learner feels a sense of confidence in his or her ability to approach the learning process in a way that matches his or her inherent learning style. What has been missed until now is that a right brained child is able to make new leaps in the learning process and expand to meet the needs of a new world, a world filled with multiple visual stimulation and instant decision making. These right brain learners have the ability to process visual and kinesthetic information at an unbelievable rate, strengthening the natural abilities of the right hemisphere of the brain.

If you Suspect that Your Child is Right Brained Dominant 

There is no longer any reason to let traditional left-hemisphere teaching strategies hold your child back or make them feel incapable of learning. If you suspect that your child could be right-brained dominant, there is a way for you to tap into new learning strategies that make learning fun and exciting. Redesigning how a child approaches the learning process is the foundation needed for future school success. 

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Learning Skills 101 - What Are Learning Skills?

So what are learning skills anyway? Most of us were never taught about these underlying mental skills that lay the foundation for our ability to learn. We were always taught that we could learn if we set our mind to it. Between home and school we should be fine. If not, just see a tutor for a bit and you will be good to go. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to learn in this type of scenario. Why? Well, how easily and efficiently we learn is based on how strong our underlying learning skills are. This definitely turned out to be the case for my daughter and all of the students who have worked through my system.

The skills we use to learn with are technically known as working memory, attention, processing, auditory analysis (including auditory processing), visual processing, word attack and logic and reasoning. We see these skills play out everyday based on how well we can pay attention, how well we can remember, how well we can process what we hear (we hear fine - its the processing of the sounds), how well we can process what we see (letter reversals, etc.), how well we can read unknown words (beyond the words we may have memorized) and how well we can plan, organize and problem solve. For each of these learning skills there are sub-categories that exist too.

Lets explore an example of a student who has weak attention skills. In this example, we have a student is able to attend to one thing at a time only. However, the student will state that they get distracted very easily. After I work them through a series of exercises I can tell whether or not this is truly the case. 9 times out of 10 it is not the case. You see, students like this one tend to hyperfocus on their targeted input. They zone in on the teacher and everything else around them disappears. So, when an additional task is being introduced that requires processing, they are conflicted because they can only attend to one thing at a time and state they get distracted. In actuality, their "divided attention" skill is very weak along with their ability to process more than one thing at a time.

A student with the above weakness will show easy distraction but will also have great difficulty with remembering information coming from different inputs at the same time, especially is one is auditory. This student is able to take notes and process the input in the brain. However, if the teacher begins "discussing" the topic of the notes on the board, the student is lost. Similarly, if the teacher started to talk first, the student would be able to process this input but once the teachers asks the student to start writing notes along with the teacher speaking, the student would be unsuccessful. They are unable to share processing within the brain.

The good news is that the above weak skill is just one of many that you are able to strengthen due to the brain's ability to develop and grow. A student doesn't need to struggle with this weak skill set any longer. The Enhanced Learning Skills System was designed to strengthen learning skills required to learn and read easier and more efficiently. Call me today for an assessment and let's begin working together to help your child learn with ease.

Copyright © Enhanced Learning Skills for Kids 2009

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Learning Styles May Be a Myth, But Learning Preferences Do Exist

A lot of research has been done to discover if there is any truth to the idea that there are actually "learning styles." The studies have found that there is no scientific basis for learning styles. Instead, they found that people were able to effectively learn using either visual, auditory and/or kinesthetic sensory modalities.

It may be a fact that there is not a scientific basis for learning styles, but any trainer can tell you in truth that there are certainly learning preferences. If you ask a group of participants how they learn best, you will get a wide range of answers that fall neatly into existing "learning style" categories.

For example, participants identified the following learning preferences in a recent train-the-trainer session: group discussion (interactive learning), role play (kinesthetic), games (haptic), stories (aural), videos (visual), and case studies (print). [Note: There are many different "learning style" descriptions. The items in (parentheses) relate to Perceptual Learning Styles].

Closer to home, I know that I do not learn by listening- to lecture, to audio books, to stories, or even to news on the radio. I hear what is said, but I don't process it or retain it. I need to read something if I want to learn it. I also need to practice it.

My experience with a young fellow attending a fluorescent lighting class underscored the reality that learning receptivity and engagement depend, at least for some people, on very specific teaching methods and learning activities.

During the instructor's discussion of lighting theory (actually, not relevant to the course but offered in an interactive and engaging manner just the same), all of the other participants offered opinions and participated in the discussion. This young man just sat there. He did, however, raise his hand twice over the course of two hours to ask when the class would be working with the lights themselves.

The first time he asked that question, he was voicing my own thought- since I was there to audit the course). It wasn't until he asked the question a second time that it occurred to me that he was a kinesthetic or haptic learner. I found a large rubber band in my purse (don't ask why it was there, I have no idea) and gave it to him.

Literally within seconds, he transformed into an active participant, joking and talking with the group. When the lunch break came, the instructor raced over to him to make sure that he didn't lose the rubber band.

It is possible, of course, that these are just exceptions to the rule that there are no learning styles. But I don't think so.

On the other hand, perhaps these examples support the importance of whole body learning, in which most, if not all, of the senses are engaged.

What do you think?

Deborah Spring Laurel has been a trainer and a consultant in the areas of workplace learning and performance improvement for over thirty years. She is the President of Laurel and Associates, Ltd,, an international human resource development training and consulting firm that specializes in enhancing interpersonal dynamics within organizations.

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Learning Styles to Be Known

The various approaches of learning are known as various learning styles. Some of the learning styles are as mentioned below:

1.) Visual Style (Learning through Seeing)

This learning style makes use of body language, facial expressions to understand the content. The people who adopt this style of learning are referred to as visual learners. They will try to grab the lesson through pictures and will learn through visual displays. Visual learners always prefer to take detailed notes to get the required information. Visual learners can easily visualize objects, plans and the outcomes in their mind's eye.

2.) Audio Style (Learning through Listening)

Another type of learning style is audio learning style. The best part is learning through verbal lectures, discussions, and listening to what others have to say. For audio learners written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often read text aloud and store the data and listen to it to get a better hold of the lesson.

3.) Tactile Style (Learning by Moving, and Touching)

Tactile learning is the other approach of learning. The tactile learners learn best through a hands-on approach, and they actively explore the physical world around them. These learners can't sit at one place, because they find it difficult to focus. They can even get distracted by their need for activity and exploration. These learners like to think out issues, ideas and problems while you exercise.

4.) Logical Style (Learning Logically)

This type of learning makes use of the brain for the logical and mathematical reasoning. The logical learners are more interested in using their brain for logical and mathematical reasoning. They can figure out the patterns easily, and even can classify and group the information as per the requirement. They can perform complex calculations.

5.) Social Style (Learning in Groups)

This learning style is different from the rest of all learning styles. The social learners do possess a strong social style. They can communicate well with the people and people even listen to them for a better advice. These learners particularly opt for group study and then they learn new things. They heighten their learning by bouncing their thoughts off other people and listening to how they respond.

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Mind Map Software and the 3 Main Learning Styles

Let me start by asking you a question - do you know what your learning style is? Did you know you had a learning style? Everyone has their own unique way of absorbing and learning information and over the last 40 years or so a variety of different models of learning style have cropped up. In this article I shall introduce you to the basic learning styles and show you how the proper use of the right Mind Map software can allow you to tap into all of them.

First of all let me give you a quick lesson in learning styles. We make sense of the world using our five senses - what we see, hear, feel, taste and smell. We also use those senses to learn about ourselves, our environment and about new information so when we started going to school it is our senses that we used to gather and absorb what we were learning. The three senses that started to dominate our learning as we went through our education were the things we saw, the things we heard and the things we physically did. Our reliance on our taste buds and sense of smell dropped off rather rapidly as there isn't much to be picked up from a text book on the Napoleonic wars by liking it or sniffing its dusty pages! That is not to say that we don't learn using these senses (how would chefs and the manufacturers of deodorant survive!) but just that text book type learning doesn't tap into them.

So we are left with three main ways to process information and in Learning Style Speak these have become known as our Visual (what we see). Auditory (what we hear) and Kinesthetic (what we do) learning styles. Research has shown that whilst we may have the ability to tap into all three learning styles, we generally have a preference. I for example am someone with a strong visual preference because I like to see what it is I am learning. I struggle to understand, absorb and retain something that I can only listen to. I can learn physical stuff e.g. martial arts moves but it takes me a long time to get it into my body and I prefer to see the moves in order to try and copy them.

What this research has also uncovered is that though we may have a preference for one of those styles, we will still learn far more effectively if we incorporate all three into our learning and thinking - and this is where using Mind Map software can help tap into our visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning styles.

So let's start with the easy one first. A Mind Map is a graphical representation of our thought process because it has images, it is visually stimulating and you can see the relationship between the main themes and detail branches. As someone who has a strong visual preference, Mind Maps are perfect for me. Mind Mapping software also comes into its own in this style because it is so easy to create a map and add images in a good package.

So what about using Mind Map software to tap into the auditory learning style? Well one thing you could do as you create your map is to quietly talk to yourself describing what you are doing as you do it. However whilst this would help, another more powerful feature of Mind Mapping software is the ability to attach audio files to branches. So you could create your branch and then record your thoughts about that branch to listen to at a later date. At this point I am going to jump ahead a little and recommend you use iMindMap for this. Other software allows you to link to audio files but you will have to create them in a separate program, link to it and then when you want to listen the link will have to open up your default mp3 player. However iMindMap has this really cool audio notes feature that allows you to record the note inside the software (you only need a microphone) and link directly to the branch.

And finally we come to the kinesthetic learning style. When you create a hand drawn map the physical activity of drawing the branch at a particular point around the map helps tap into this learning style. Its orientation, its length and even the physical act of using a different colored pen all add to the physical experience. Early attempts to create Mind Map software were limited in their physical interaction with the map because it was simply a case of either using your insert key on your keyboard to generate a new branch or a primitive point and click action with the mouse.

Many current software programs still have that limitation but one of the reasons that iMindMap is surging ahead is that it has been able to replicate the physical action of the hand drawn process on a computer. This is a huge benefit to those people who have a strong kinesthetic bias in the way they process and internalize information.

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A Neuroscience View of Learning Styles

The term "learning styles" is often associated with academic and educational applications. The traditional definition of "learning styles," however, is a small and incomplete slice of the overall contextual understanding required for successful learning and teaching outcomes. It's no wonder why there is sometimes controversy and confusion about "learning styles."

My organization has been working in the field of practical neuroscience since 1992, building brain-based human development products for academic success, personal development and business applications. The purpose of this article is to expand the definition of "learning styles," so learners and teachers alike can embrace and utilize this essential knowledge. The core principles apply to the totality of life, not just the classroom.

What are "Learning Styles?"

Each person has unique brain pathways preferences to take in and think about sensory information.

1. Sensory Pathways: Visual (seeing), Auditory (listening) and Kinesthetic (hands-on)
2. Cognitive PathWays: Sequential (logical), Global (big picture) and Integrated (cognitively balanced)

A person's "learning style" is frequently described as their strongest or primary sensory pathway to learn (e.g. being "kinesthetic"). This is a very limited and incomplete way of viewing "learning styles." The sequence of sensory preferences is important because it takes two or more sensory pathways to lock in received information. As examples, some people need to "see it and hear it," others may want to "do it and see it," and some may prefer to "hear it and do it."

The various sensory sequences are: KVA, KAV, VKA, VAK, AKV and AVK. (K = Kinesthetic,V = Visual, A = Auditory) The lowest sensory score is what you pay least attention to and is called a "blind spot." Most students are KVA and VKA. Think about the learning challenges of these students, who least prefer listening to the meaning of words, when trying to learn in a lecture setting, with a minimum of visual material and things to do.

The other half of the "learning styles" equation is how you prefer to process or think about sensory information. Some people favor learning and working in predictable, logical, orderly, and process-driven environments. Others require open-ended situations, moving from task to task, and using their imagination to learn and work optimally. The cognitive differences between Sequential and Global thinkers are often overlooked in both the classroom and workplace. It's frequently the defining factor in achieving successful academic and career outcomes.

An expanded neuroscience definition of "learning styles" is a person's sensory sequence to take in information and their cognitive preferences to process it. The combination of sensory and cognitive pathways is our representational system for life. It gives us the ability to learn, express, perform, think, solve problems and make decisions.

Who Should Know About "Learning Styles?"

The first and most important person to possess "learning style" knowledge is the "learner." That's why putting this information and data in the hands of teachers, alone, provides limited and sometimes disappointing outcomes.

Learning goes well beyond the classroom, self-study or online courses. Our brains are continually receiving sensory information, making choices, reaching conclusions, solving problems, and expressing. These processes constitute the flow and fabric of our lives. Therefore, everyone can benefit from knowing how their brains are wired and what makes them tick.

Reasons to share your "learning styles" information with others (e.g. teachers, spouse, co-workers and friends) include improving communications so they can transmit on your "wavelength." It's also helpful, in the workplace, to align work activities with brain strengths. Alignment improves morale, engagement and productivity.

What is the Role of Teachers?

I believe successful teachers are continuous learners, who are passionate about their careers. They learn from their students and exchange "best practices" with other teachers. Teachers know that students learn for their own reasons, not those of the teacher. Great teachers encourage their students to discover how their brains prefer to learn and think. They coach them to take responsibility for their own learning and leverage their brain strengths. Successful teachers establish safe and non-judgmental environments. They provide learning resources and encourage their students to teach one another; the highest form of learning is teaching.

Summary

The neuroscience meaning of "learning styles" is the foundation for accelerated learning, successful careers, better relationships and personal growth. Knowing how your brain prefers to learn and think is the key to a better and less stressful life. Everyone interested in improving their quality-of-life will benefit from this important knowledge.

Stephen Hager is a lifelong learner, scientist, author, speaker and teacher. Along with Deanna Phelps, he is the co-creator of brain-based human development products. Their goal is to help people live better and more peaceful lives through the "power within." Since 1992, Deanna and Stephen have been developing practical neuroscience solutions for better communications, clearer thinking, faster learning, higher productivity, stress management and creative problem solving. 

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How to Benefit From Knowing Your Learning Style

Before I tell you how to benefit from knowing your learning style, let me first explain the different styles of learning so that you can decide which category best suits you. Learning styles is the variation of your ability to gather and understand information. Basically, your learning style is the method that best allows you to gather and use knowledge in a specific manner. Each individual has at least one of these styles. Learning styles can be detected at a very early age. Once you know your style you can adopt that style to the way you study to maximize on your education.

Categories of Learning Styles

Visual Learners. 

These are the people who learn through what they are able to see. They often describe things based on it's appearance. These learners

• Often need written instructions
• Copy the information from the blackboard in class
• Watch videos to learn
• Enjoy illustrations and visual aids

Auditory Learners. 

These are the people who learn better through sound. Recording and replaying a lecture is a great way for them to study and retain information. These learners:

• Find it difficult to retain information if it is not heard
• Benefit from audio books and lessons
• Are very good at remembering names.
• Tend to repeat information like phone numbers

Tactile Learners. 

These are the people who need to learn through moving and physical engagement. They enjoy hands-on projects. these learners:

• Enjoy an adventure
• Can master a skill through practice
• Tends to collect things
• Very good at sports

Benefits of Knowing Your Learning Style

Each of us is completely different. There are no two individuals that are alike. Hence we learn differently. Here are some of the advantages of knowing how best you are able to process information.

Academic Advantages:

• Increasing your learning potential
• Doing well in school on all educational levels
• Understanding how you can better prepare for exams and tests
• Overcoming academic limits in class
• lessen frustration
• Develop more learning strategies

Personal Advantages:

• Improve esteem and confidence
• Helps to learn one's weakness
• Enjoy learning
• Developing motivation to learn
• Develop abilities and skills

Professional Advantages:

• Stay current with changes in the professional arena
• Maintain a competitive edge
• Better manage team efforts
• Improve presentation and delivery
• Improve you selling skills
• Increase your potential financial earnings

Above all, remember that there is no right or wrong way to learn. Everyone is unique. And even though each learning style offers advantages as well as disadvantages, learning your unique learning style can help you to increase your learning potential and work more efficiently.


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An Introduction To Learning Styles

We all have certain preferences when it comes to receiving information. Some of us like to learn exclusively by reading books, while others favour discussing ideas with other people to help themselves understand a topic or problem. Recognising what your preferences are is generally considered a good way to improve the way you perceive and process new information. It can be a very useful skill for someone still progressing through education.

This concept of "learning styles" has been a topic of much debate among educational professionals and academics over the years, with many different models and theories springing up as a result. One of the most popular models is the VARK model, which recognises three different types of learning style: 

• Visual - Refers to those who like to learn from written sources. This can include books, slideshows, charts and images.
• Auditory - Refers to those who prefer to hear and talk about new information. This means that they typically favour educational formats such as lectures and seminars, with the former offering the chance to hear large amounts of information while the other facilitates discussion, debate and group consensus.
• Kinesthetic - Refers to those who need to experience the subject they are being taught. This means they favour practical subjects where learning takes place through real-world applications of theoretical material and where the student is allowed to take a hands-on approach to the subject. Actual physical movement improves learning for people who favour this style.

These three learning styles cover a wide range of different educational activities, and most people will agree that they have preference for one or two styles over another. Knowing what your preferred learning style is can be very helpful, because it will help you tailor your own learning towards your strengths, subsequently making education more effective.

In order to help students recognise their learning preferences, it has been suggested that teachers should include in their lesson plans a variety of activities across the three styles. Encouraging an awareness of learning styles can also help students reflect more effectively on their own learning. Not only will they realise where their strengths lie but also their weaknesses, which will allow them to start to developing strategies to deal with the more challenging aspects of their education.

However, it is important to note that models of learning styles, including the VARK model, have received some criticism in recent years. One notable complaint has been that learning style theory implicitly suggests that we have one fixed or exclusive learning style to which we must adapt. This argument suggests that focusing too narrowly on "inherited" learning styles can actually damage our education, when really we should be developing learning strategies which will help us make the most out of each type of learning.

This argument highlights a popular misconception about learning styles being fixed and limiting. In fact, it is widely recognised that the most effective learners make use of all learning styles, responding to the demands and benefits of each to maximise their ability to receive and interpret new information. Perhaps the best approach that students can take is to recognize where they stand in relation to learning styles, so that they can tailor their education to make the most of their strengths while also working on their weaknesses. This will help them pursue a flexible and responsive attitude which, in turn, helps them get the most out of their education.

Hannah McCarthy is Schools Marketing Manager for Education City, a leading supplier of e-Learning software to the preschool and school markets in the US. 

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