Learning Styles

 The questionnaire below is an informal indicator of your learning style.

 Consider the Kolb Learning Style Inventory or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to learn about
other aspects than those identified or for a more formal assessment

 Learning style is not a fixed or unchangeable. Learning styles change and develop through
exposure, instruction, or practice. For example, as you experience more college lectures, your
skill as an auditory learner may be strengthened.

 People are not necessarily clearly strong or weak in each aspect. Some students learn
equally well spatially or verbally. If there is very little difference between your two scores on
one or more parts of the questionnaire, then you may have strengths in both areas.

 If, for some reason, you feel the description of yourself as a learner is incorrect, do not make
changes in your learning strategies based on the information. Instead, discuss your style with
a study skills instructor or counselor, or consider taking one of the tests listed above.

Learning Style Questionnaire

Select the alternative that best describes you. In cases in which neither choice suits you, select
the one that is closer to your preference.

Your
Part One
Answer
a. work with a lab partner.
1. For a grade in biology lab, I would prefer to
b. work alone.

When faced with a difficult personal problem, I a. discuss it with others.

2.
prefer to b. resolve it myself.
a. including more discussion and group
activities.
3. Many instructors could improve their classes by
b. allowing students to work on their own
more frequently.

When listening to a lecture or speaker, I respond a. the person presenting the ideas.
4.
more to b. the ideas themselves.
a. work with several team members.
5. When on a team project, I prefer to b. divide up tasks and complete those
assigned to me.
a. with friends.
6. I prefer to shop and do errands
b. by myself.
a. more appealing than working alone.
7. A job in a busy office is
b. less appealing than working alone.

Totals Part One A _____ B _____

 Your
Part Two
Answer
a. draw or visualize the problem.
1. To solve a math problem, I would prefer to b. study a sample problem and use it as a
model.
a. create a mental picture.
2. To remember things best, I
b. write it down.
a. easy.
3. Assembling a bicycle from a diagram would be
b. challenging.
a. handle equipment or work with models.
4. I prefer classes in which I
b. participate in a class discussion.

To understand and remember how a machine a. draw a diagram.

5.
works, I would b. write notes.
a. drawing or working with my hands.
6. I enjoy
b. speaking, writing, and listening.

If I were trying to locate an office on an unfamiliar a. draw me a map.

7.
university campus, I would prefer a student to b. give me a set of written directions.

Totals Part Two A _____ B _____

Your
Part Three
Answer
a. learn facts and details.
1. I prefer to
b. construct theories and ideas.
a. following specific instructions.
2. I would prefer a job involving
b. reading, writing, and analyzing.
a. solve math problems using a formula.
3. I prefer to
b. discover why the formula works.
a. how a process works.
4. I would prefer to write a term paper explaining
b. a theory.
a. careful, detailed instructions.
5. I prefer tasks that require me to follow
b. reasoning and critical analysis.
a. discover how and when a law can be
6. For a criminal justice course I would prefer to used.
b. learn how and why it became law.
a. work with several types of printers.
To learn more about the operation of a high-speed
7. b. understand the principles on which they
computer printer, I would prefer to
operate.

Totals Part Three A _____ B _____

 Your
Part Four
Answer
a. oral directions.
1. I would prefer to follow a set of
b. written directions.
a. attend a lecture given by a famous
2. I would prefer to psychologist.
b. read an article written by the psychologist.
a. names.
3. I am better at remembering
b. faces.
a. language (words).
4. It is easier to learn new information using
b. images (pictures).
a. lectures and answers questions.
5. I prefer classes in which the instructor
b. uses films and videos.

To obtain information about current events, I would a. listen to news on the radio.
6.
prefer to b. read the newspaper.
a. listen to a friend’s explanation.
7. To learn how to operate a fax machine, I would
b. watch a demonstration.

Totals Part Four A _____ B _____

Your
Part Five
Answer
a. my experiences and “gut” feelings.
1. To make decisions I rely on
b. facts and objective data.
a. can use whatever is available to get the
2. To complete a task, I job done.
b. must have everything I need at hand.
a. music, song, or poetry.
3. I prefer to express my ideas and feelings through
b. direct, concise language.
a. allow students to be guided by their own
4. I prefer instructors who interests.
b. make their expectations clear and explicit.
a. challenge and question what I hear and
5. I tend to read.
b. accept what I hear and read
a. essay exams.
6. I prefer b. objective (multiple-choice, true-false)
exams.
a. figure out my own approach.
7. In completing an assignment I prefer to
b. be told exactly what to do.

Totals Part Five A _____ B _____