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Office of Community Services skip to primary page contentIncreasing the Capacity of Individuals, Families and Communities

Technical Assistance

Adult Learning Priniciples | Technical Assistance Evaluation Form

Learning Styles

When you deliver information in a training session, you will soon notice learners have different learning preferences for receiving information. The three learning modes are:

All learners can learn through all three of these modes, but they usually have a strong preference for one. As a trainer, you need to use a variety of methods to reach all three. Here are some ways to do that.

Visual Learners

  • Prefer to learn through reading and seeing
  • Like to read handouts and look at charts and graphs
  • Are often bored by lecture
  • PowerPoint helps garner interest
  • To create a good environment for visual learners, show diagrams and explain them. Ask them to draw a picture. Include plenty of content in your handouts, even extra material to read after your session. Write key words on a flip chart or white board.

Auditory Learners

  • Prefer to learn by listening
  • Can learn from lectures with or without taking notes
  • Some may do better using a tape recorder and listening to a content-heavy presentation again later
  • Reading may be difficult for some
  • Like break-out groups to discuss the content and hear the perspectives of others.
  • To create a good environment for auditory learners, use lecture, question and answer and discussions. Break into small groups often. Play a song to illustrate a point or use background music when appropriate. Allow time at the end to summarize your main points and allow for additional questions.

Kinesthetic Learners

  • Prefer to learn by touching and doing
  • They can become quickly bored if they are not active
  • Taking notes helps them to concentrate on a presentation
  • Using a highlighter helps them when they are reading
  • To create a good environment for kinesthetic learners, use creative activities that get people out of their chairs and doing something interesting. Put Play-Dough, pipe cleaners or other objects at their tables so they can do something with their hands. Take frequent stretch breaks, even if you don’t leave the room

Adult Learning Priniciples | Technical Assistance Evaluation Form