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Adult Learning Styles

Type A - Actual Spontaneous Learner

  • Has trouble organizing and following through

  • Would rather play and have fun than work

  • Tends to do things impulsively

  • Probably did poorly in school (often due to lack of interest or boredom)

  • Looks for creative and efficient solutions to tasks

  • Dislikes paperwork and record keeping

  • Prefers to teach the fine arts, physical education, and activity-oriented classes

Type B - Actual Routine Learner

  • Likes everything neatly planned ahead of time

  • Likes to follow a schedule

  • is not very good at coming up with creative ideas

  • Is comfortable with memorization and drill

  • Gets upset easily when children don't cooperate

  • Worries about meeting requirements

  • Often prefers to work under an umbrella program for home educators

  • Prefers to teach with pre-planned curricula

  • Is more comfortable with "cut and dry" subjects than those which require exploration with no clear answers

Type C - Conceptual Specific Learner

  • Likes to be in control

  • Thinks and acts logically

  • Likes to understand reasoning and logic behind ideas

  • Is a good organizer (at least in selected areas)

  • Likes to work alone and be independent

  • Is impatient with those who are slow to grasp concepts and those who are disorganized

  • Is often uncomfortable in social situations and has trouble understanding others' feelings and emotions

  • Tends to avoid difficult social situations

  • Likes to make long-term plans

  • Usuallyis organized

  • Prefers to teach math, science, and other logic related subjects rather than language arts and social studies

Type D - Conceptual Global Learner

  • Enjoys social interaction

  • Likes to belong to groups, especially for activities

  • Worries about what other people think

  • Tends to be insecure about how well he/she is doing with home education

  • Is idealistic about expectations and goals

  • May or may not be organized, depending upon accountability

  • Is more interested in general concepts than details

  • Prefers to teach subjects related to language arts, social studies, and, possibly, the fine arts

Children's Learning Styles

(The names assigned to the four learning styles do not reflect an exclusivity of each learning style to either girls or boys).

Type A = Wiggly Willy

Wiggly Willys are those children who learn best by doing - the hands-on learners. These children are usually not interested in deep thinking or analysis. They like to be free to act spontaneously, without restraint; and they dislike planning and organizing. However, they often do very well with hands-on projects. These are carefree children who live for the moment. They have short attention spans (unless doing a task of their choosing), are difficult to motivate, and can be disruptive in groups. Sometimes these children are labeled as having attention deficit disorder, although the real problem is that, because of their age and temperament, they really need to be moving around more than is allowed in a typical classroom.

Prefers:

  • variety in methods

  • audio-visual aids

  • short,dynamic presentations

  • construction activity

  • hands-on activity

  • freedom to act

  • physical involvement

  • full control of his own project (with supervision)

Does not like:

  • long range goal setting
  • complicated projects
  • planning
  • paper and pencil tasks
  • workbooks

Needs Help Developing:

  • study habits
  • self-discipline to persevere
 Language Arts:
  • language games
  • application of concepts as they are learned
  • writing stories and poetry
  • an active approach to learning grammar
  • incorporating writing with preferred subjects (e.g., art, P.E., music)
  • using a computer rather than writing neatly by hand
  • needs help and encouragement to tackle reports and research-related writing, and to review what he writes, learning to spot his mistakes.
 Math:
  • math games
  • short, varied tasks
  • practical application of concepts
  • manipulatives
  • incentives
  • needs help to do pencil and paper work, to develop a longer attention span, and to do long word problems

Type B = Perfect Paula

I call our second type of learner Perfect Paula. This is the responsible child who likes to see that everything is done correctly. She likes things to be clearly structured, planned, and organized. Perfect Paulas seldom act spontaneously and are uncomfortable with creative activities that lack specific guidelines. They follow rules and respect authoritity. They like to follow a typical school curriculum and feel that they are accomplishing the same things as other children their age. They prefer to be part of groups, and they need approval and affirmation to let them know that they are doing what is proper.

Prefers:

  • workbooks
  • consistent structure
  • routine
  • lecture following an outline
  • repetition and memorization
  • drill and review
  • time to prepare for any discussion

Does not like:

  • creative activities such as role playing, dramatization, or imaginative writing
  • changes in a planned schedule
  • constant changes in the curriculum

Needs Help Developing:

  • creativity
  • thinking skills that stretch beyond the obvious
 Language Arts:
  • grammar drill
  • worksheets or workbook approach
  • well spelled-out assignments
  • assigned writing topics
  • needs help and encouragement to write creatively
 Math:
  • workbooks
  • consistent format
  • drill
  • needs help to apply arithmetic to word problems that require imaginative thinking.

Type C = Competent Carl

Competent Carl likes to be in control of himself and his surroundings. He tends to be analytical, constantly trying to understand, explain, and predict. Problem solving is something he enjoys. Competent Carls are self-motivated and enjoy long-term, independent projects. They value wisdom and intelligence. Subject areas that tend to be strong are math and science. On the other hand, social skills tend to be a weak area. Often they have difficulty understand and relating to their peers. Because of this, and sometimes simply by choice, they enjoy solitary activity.