Oh, I’m a Kinesthetic Learner!

by Lindsay Piper
Zambia

I remember when I was in college living in a sorority-type house, I would always have trouble studying in my room. It was quite frustrating, and the only thing I could do was take my textbook with me and walk up and down the hallway as I read out loud. People would walk by and wonder what the heck I was doing. Why does she have to pace the hallway when she reads? That’s strange!

It all came together for me at a workshop I participated in last week. At Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach, all of us discovered what type of learners we are. For me, it was encouraging to know that I don’t have a learning disability just because I cannot recall information that is being read to me by the instructor! And I also don’t have hyperactive attention disorder because I can’t sit still while a teacher is giving a lesson.

      

There are three types of learners: the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learner. The visual learner learns through seeing, the auditory learner learns through hearing, and the kinesthetic learner learns through physical activities and direct involvement. No wonder I am always doodling on my paper, tapping my pen, or playing with my hair whenever I am being taught!

The workshop was enlightening for all of us. We all came to a better understanding of how we learned best, and were appreciative. We were trained to teach so that all learners can receive and retain something from us as facilitators.

So, to the kinesthetic learner: if you are tapping your foot while reading this, don’t be concerned.  It’s how we learn best!

 

 

 

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