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Learning

Education is the process of learning. Learning is the activity or process of gaining knowledge, skills, or understanding by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing. Learning is important for everyone at any age. Our website has helpful information for students from kindergarten to college and beyond. Learning is a lifelong process.

6 levels of learning

  1. Knowledge: the ability to memorize, recite, and recall previously learned materials. Example: Memorizing multiplication tables.

  2. Comprehension: taking the facts you know and demonstrating your understanding through organizing, interpreting, translating, or comparing said facts. Example: Translating an English sentence into Spanish.

  3. Application: solving problems by applying your knowledge to a variety of situations. Example: Using formula to solve a math problems.

  4. Analysis: taking the facts you learned and re-examining them so you are able to understand why they are true. Example: A ball thrown on the ground falls, a rock thrown on the ground falls, but what happens if they are thrown into water?

  5. Synthesis: organizing information in a new way and discovering new patterns or alternative ideas, solutions, or theories. Example: putting forth a new idea about a science topic.

  6. Evaluation: gaining the ability to present and defend information and make informed judgments about the opinions of others on a given topic. Example: Writing an essay on why you believe something.

Learning styles

Everyone learns in a way suited to them. The three main learning styles are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

Visual learners mostly learn by looking, seeing, viewing, and watching. They often think in pictures and prefer images and visual displays. 

Auditory learners mostly learn by listening, hearing, and speaking. They learn through lectures, discussions, and brainstorming, and reading text out loud. They prefer using words, both in speech and writing.

Kinesthetic or tactile learners mostly learn by experiencing, moving, and doing. They prefer using their body, hands and sense of touch. They learn through a hands-on approach such as activities and exploration.

Many people benefit from learning by a combination of learning styles, but focusing most often on a learning style that they tend to be best at. Each person prefers different learning styles and has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with less use of the other styles. Other people may find that they use different styles in different situations. A person's learning style is not fixed and the mix of styles can change. A person can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that they already use well.

What is your main learning style? Take an online learning style assessment or a learning style test available as a word document to find out.

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Ways to improve as a visual learner:

visualize what you are studying  

use color in your notes (colored pens, highlighters, etc.)

visualize what the instructor is lecturing about

draw pictures and diagrams

use mind maps in your notes

use picture and graphics to reinforce learning

learn from videos

 

Ways to improve as an auditory learner:

listen to tapes of recorded assignments

record your own textbook reading

read out loud  

talk over ideas from class and what you are studying with other students

participate in class discussions

listen to audiotapes on the subject

 

Ways to improve as a kinesthetic learner:

stand up and move around while you are studying

take frequent breaks while studying

make use of your hands and write things down as you study

use the computer to reinforce learning  

be physically active

experiment with objects

memorize or go over things in your head while walking or exercising

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Ways to learn better

There is plenty to learn every day, but trying to learn everything can be overwhelming. There are many things you can do to learn more effectively.

  • Know your learning style

Are you mostly a visual, auditory or tactile learner? Recognize your own learning style so you can more effectively apply it to your learning process.

  • Take an active role 

Most people need to feel involved. Get feedback, participate in conversations, ask questions, answer questions, read ahead, and review what you learn.

  • Learn from mistakes 

Instead of being frustrated by mistakes, remember that they are a key part of the learning experience.

  • Apply what you learn to the real world

Try to correlate what you learn to real world situations. Ask why is this topic important and how can it be used in a practical way?

  • Know how to use resources

Find and use books, websites, and other materials effectively.

  • Be organized

Minimize distractions. Keep your learning materials organized so they are easy to use.​

Learning and personality

It is important to have an awareness that personality can influence how you learn. Studies have shown that personality influences learning strategies and learning outcomes. Different people search information and do tasks in different ways. Understanding your personality can help you realize your full potential, increase your productivity, get along better with others, and identify your best learning strategies. A personality test can help to determine your strengths and talents. There are several different personality tests to help you assess your personality. The theory of psychological type was introduced in the 1920s by Carl G. Jung. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was a tool developed in the 1940s by Isabel Briggs Myers, and her mother, Katharine Briggs, to make the theory of psychological types described by C. G. Jung understandable and useful in people's lives.

Jung (Myers-Briggs) Typology Test

The 4 type preferences of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

  • Extraversion or intraversion: extraverts prefer being with a large group of people and introverts prefer quieter activities.

  • Sensing or intuition: describes how people take in information, whether they focus on what is actual and real (factual-based) or prefer to interpret or apply meaning to what they see. People who prefer sensing are down-to-earth and more dependent on past experiences. People who prefer intuition are considered idealists and rely more on the future

  • Thinking or feeling: indicates how people prefer to make decisions, whether it is based on logical thinking or influenced by their concerns for themselves and others. People who prefer thinking may seek factual clarity in solving disputes. People who prefer feeling over thinking are helpful and pay close attention to other people’s needs.

  • Judging or perceiving: describes the way you manage you life and how you deal with the world, whether in an orderly manner or spontaneously. People who prefer judging like to have everything in order and in a scheduled manner. People who prefer perceiving are more unplanned and spontaneous in their lifestyle, including making decisions.

True Colors Personality Test

True Colors is a personality profile developed in 1978 by Don Lowry. True Colors has 4 basic learning style categories that use the colors blue, orange, gold, and green. According to the true colors theory, everyone's personality consists of a combination of all four colors, with the dominant two colors representing the core of a person's personality. In general, green personality types are independent thinkers, gold personality types are practical planners, orange personality types are action-oriented, and blue personality types are people-oriented.

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