Name of the participant ___________________________________

Date _______________

INSTRUCTIONS: Circle one response (A, B, or C) to each item in the left-handed column. When finished, count
the number circled in each column.

When I…. A B C
Spell I try to see the word. I sound out the word I write the word down
or use the phonetic to determine if it
approach. “feel’s” right.
Talk I dislike talking for too I enjoy listening but I gesture to use
long. am impatient to talk. expressive
movements.
Concentrate I become distracted I become distracted I become distracted
by untidiness or by sound. by activity around me.
movements.
Am angry I tend to become I express it in an I storm off, grit my
silent and seethe. outburst. teeth and slam doors.
Meet someone again I forget names, but I forget faces, but I remember what we
remember faces or remember names or did together.
where we met. what we talked about.
Contact business I prefer face-to-face I prefer the telephone. I talk with them while
people personal meetings. walking or
participating in an
activity.
Read I like descriptive I enjoy dialog and I prefer action stories
scenes. conversations. if I’m going to read at
all.
Do something new at I like to see diagrams, I prefer verbal I prefer to jump in
work slides, or posters. instructions or talking right away and try it.
about it to someone.
Need help with a I look for pictures or I call the help desk, I keep trying to do it
computer application. diagrams. ask a neighbor, or or try it on another
growl, at the computer.
computer.
Work at solving a I make a list, organize I make a few phone I make a model of the
problem steps, and check them calls and talk to problem or walk
off as they are done. friends or experts. through all the steps
in my mind.
Am relaxing I prefer to watch TV or I prefer to listen to the I prefer to play
read. radio or CD sports / games.
Are standing in line at I look at posters I talk to the person I tap my foot or move
a movie advertising the other next to me. around in some way.
movies.
Number Circled
Participant’s signature ______________

Characteristics of Adult Learning Styles

Learning styles describe the ways individuals learn and how they process ideas. An awareness of these styles
allows you to interpret and reflect upon ways to accommodate each style in learning situations.
There are three distinct learning styles – visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (tactile).
Understanding learning styles and modifying your instruction to meet all of them helps to increase the
retention rate of your adult learners. Meeting the needs of all learning styles requires a well-balanced use of
various learning methods that incorporate various levels of participation.

Visual Learners
Visual learners learn best through seeing. These learners need to see body language and
facial expression to fully understand content. In a traditional classroom setting, they tend to
prefer sitting at the front in order to avoid visual obstructions. They may think in pictures
and learn best from visual displays, including diagrams, illustrated textbooks, overhead
transparences, videos, computer-based training programs, flip charts, and handouts. During
a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to
absorb the information.

Auditory Learners
Auditory learns learn best through hearing. Verbal lectures, discussions, talking things
through, and listening to what others have to say and their preferred methods of learning.
Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of
voice, pitch, speed, and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it
is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and using a tape recorder.

Kinesthetic Learners
(a.k.a. Tactile Learners)
Kinesthetic Learners, also known as a.k.a. Tactile Learners, learn best through a hands-on
approach. They prefer to actively explore the physical world around them. They may find it
hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and
exploration.