Friday, 15 April 2011

Types of learners and their abilities

         We all know that there are different kinds of learners. Each learner learns differently from another. This is because each learner's ability to learn is different from another. The Multiple Intelligences Theory tells us that there are eight types of learners. In this post I will try to talk about each type of learner and their abilities to learn.
       The first type of learners are the verbal-linguistic learners. These types of learners learn best through reading, hearing and seeing words, speaking, writing, discussing and debating. The abilities of these learners lie in reading, writing, telling stories, memorizing dates and thinking in words. Theses learners like to read, write, talk, memorize and work with puzzles.
         The second type of learners are the logical-mathematical learners. These types of learners learn best through working wirh patterns and relationships, classifying, categorizing and working with the abstract. Their learning abilities lie in mathematics,reasoning, logic, problem-solving and patterns. These students like to solve problems, question, work with numbers and experimentation.
        The third type of learners are the spatial-visual learners. These learners learn best through working with pictures, colours, visualizing and drawing.Their abilities lie in reading maps, charts, drawing mazes, puzzles, imaging things and visualising. These learners like to design, draw, build, create, daydream and to look at pictures.
        The fourthe type of learners are the bodily-kinesthetic learners. These learners learn best through toching, moving and they can possess knowledge through bodily sensations. In other words, such learners learn best through their senses. Their ability to do things is seen through athletics, dancing, acting, crafting and using tools. These students like to move around and use body language a lot.
          The fifth type of learners are the learners who learn through music or musical learners. These learners learn best through rhythm, melody, singing and by listening to susic. Theses learnres abilities lie in singing, picking up sound and rhythm. They like to sing, hum, play musical instruments and listening to music.
           The sixth type of learners are the interpersonal learners. These lerners learn best through inter-communication with each other. Skills like sharing, comparing, relating, interviewing and cooperating are acquired by these types of learners. The students' abilities lie in understanding people, leading. organizing, communicating and resolving conflicts. These learners like to  have friends, talk to people and join groups.In other words, theses learners like to socialize.
           The next type of learners are the intrapersonal learners or learners who learn by communicating with thenselves within themselves. These learners learn best  by working alone, doing self-spaced prajects, having space and by reflecting.Their ability to do things lie in understanding the self, recognizing ones own strenghts and weaknesses and by setting personal goals.These learners like to work alone, reflect and to pursue individual interests.
           The last type of learners are the naturalist learners or learners who learn best through their contact with nature.They learn by working in nature, exploring things, learning about plants, animals and natural events. Their ability to learn lie in their understanding of nature and in identifying flora and fauna. They are those learners who love to be involved with nature.
         Thus we can ssee that there are different learners with different abilities to learn. Their outlook towards learning depends alot on their interests and their individual capacity to learn. Therefore, it is of vital importance for the teacher to be able to identify each type of learner in his/her classroom. as the number of students in the class multiply so will the interests and ability of the students. Effective teaching and learning will take place only when the teacher is successful in identifying the students' interests and the type of learners that they are.

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