Adapt with the Memletic Styles#

Memletics recognizes that each person prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles group common ways that people learn. Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominate styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well.

Using multiple learning styles and “multiple intelligences” for learning is a relatively new approach. This approach is one that educators have only recently started to recognize. Traditional schooling used (and continues to use) mainly linguistic and logical teaching methods. It also uses a limited range of learning and teaching techniques. Many schools still rely on classroom and book-based teaching, much repetition, and pressured exams for reinforcement and review. A result is that we often label those who use these learning styles and techniques as “bright.” Those who use less favored learning styles often find themselves in lower classes, with various not-so-complimentary labels and sometimes lower quality teaching. This can create positive and negative spirals that reinforce the belief that one is “smart” or “dumb.”

By recognizing and understanding your own learning styles, you can use techniques better suited to you. This improves the speed and quality of your learning.

In this chapter, we first look at the basis of learning styles and their influence on learning. Following that, I have an exercise for you. The exercise is a questionnaire to help you discover your preferred Memletic styles.

We then look at each of the Memletic Styles in turn. In summary, these are:

• Visual . You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.

• Aural . You prefer using sound and music.

• Verbal . You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.

• Physical . You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

• Logical. You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.

• Social . You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.

• Solitary . You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

Lastly, we look at how you can improve your learning by using learning styles. One obvious way is to use more of your dominant learning styles. An interesting feature of learning styles is that you can also improve your learning performance by using styles you do not often use. If you are a mainly visual person, then you can make a lesson more memorable by using some aural content in your visualizations. If you like to use logic, then use some physical learning techniques occasionally.