Now that you've printed your score grid, read these explanations of the five aspects of learning style. A score of 4 to 3 in any one part might indicate a tendency toward being one kind of learner or another; obviously, greater disparities in a score indicate more clearly such a tendency.

Part One: Auditory or Visual Learners This score indicates the sensory mode you prefer when processing information. Auditory learners tend to learn more effectively through listening, while visual learners process information by seeing it in print or other visual modes including film, picture, or diagram. If you have a higher score on auditory than visual, you tend to be an auditory learner. That is, you tend to learn more easily by hearing than by reading. A higher score in visual suggests strengths with visual modes of learning.

Part Two: Applied or Conceptual Learners This score describes the types of learning tasks and learning situations you prefer and find most easy to handle. If you are an applied learner, you prefer tasks that involve real objects and situations. Practical, real-life learning situations are ideal for you. If you are a conceptual learner, you prefer to work with language and ideas; for you, practical applications are not necessary for understanding.

Part Three: Spatial or Nonspatial Learners This score reveals your ability to work with spatial relationships. Spatial learners are able to visualize or "mentally see" how things work or how they are positioned in space. Their strengths may include drawing, assembling things, or repairing. Non-spatial learners lack skills in positioning things in space; instead, they tend to rely on verbal or language skills.

Part Four: Social or Independent Learners This score reveals your preferred level of interaction with other people in the learning process. If you are a social learner, you prefer to work with others -- both peers and instructors -- closely and directly. You tend to be people-oriented and enjoy personal interaction. If you are an independent learner, you prefer to work and study alone; you tend to be self-directed or self-motivated, and you are often goal oriented.

Part Five: Creative or Pragmatic Learners This score describes the approach you prefer to take toward learning tasks. Creative learners are imaginative and innovative. They prefer to learn through discovery or experimentation; they are comfortable taking risks and following hunches. Pragmatic learners are practical, logical, and systematic; they seek order and are comfortable following rules.

Using Learning Style
to Learn More Effectively

Now that you have recognized some features and tendencies of your learning style, the next step is to use this information to become a more efficient learner. Awareness of how you learn best should influence how you study. For example, an auditory-social learner may find it effective to discuss textbook readings with a classmate. A visual-independent learner may find it more effective to study alone and to write an outline and prepare charts summarizing chapter content.

Awareness of weaknesses or limitations in your learning style can also improve your learning efficiency. Once you are aware of which tasks or activities may be more difficult, you can take steps to strengthen your approach. For example, a visual learner may find it helpful to improve his listening or note-taking skills. An independent learner may discover that exerting leadership when placed within group activities may give him or her a sense of control and make the situation more comfortable.

Click HERE for some recommendations of strategies for dealing with particular learning weaknesses. It is important to note, however, that this informal self-evaluation does not prove anything about you as a learner. For a more thorough analysis, you should visit your school's Counseling Office where the counselors can provide more sophisticated measuring tests. It can be extremely useful and even fun to discover what kind of learner you are.