Kinesthetic Learning

Kinesthetic Learning

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning, http://www.learning-styles-online.com/style/physical-bodily-kinesthetic/, http://712educators.about.com/od/learningstyles/p/kinesthetic.htm, http://www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm, http://homeworktips.about.com/od/homeworkhelp/a/tactile.htm, http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm, http://unsnews.com.br/unsteachers/post/25/learning-styles/, http://www.vaknlp.com/.

Being kinesthetic has to do with learning styles, namely, auditory, visual or kinesthetic.

Much has been said about issue and the roars grow higher as the topic goes capitalistic, i.e., money-yielding. However, what you need to know is that they offspring from years of serious researches on how people actually learn.
Before you read the rest of this article, which is faulty as many others due to the fact that it will make you think you are a little kinesthetic yourself, you need to know we are all kinesthetic, auditory and visual, I mean, we have the three styles, the difference is that each of us has a natural inclination towards one of them. This article will deal with the kinesthetic way.

Kinesthetic learning is when someone learns things from doing or being part of them. They make up about 15% of the population and struggle to pick things up by reading/ listening to things. Many people mistake themselves for kinesthetic/ tactile learners because they have not used the full variety of learning options, which means they cannot find the right learning state for them. The kinesthetic learner usually does well in things such as chemistry experiments, sporting activities, and acting. They also may listen to music while learning or studying. It is common for kinesthetic learners to focus on two different things at the same time. They will remember things by going back in their minds to what their body was doing. They also have very high hand-eye co-ordination and very quick receptors. They use phrases such as "I can see myself doing that" and "It's starting to come alive". You will find below some characteristics of the kinesthetic learner:
A Kinesthetic Learner Learns Best By:
• Doing, hands-on approach (manipulation, objects, simulations, live events)
• Physical involvement in learning
• Field trips to gain knowledge
• Small group discussion (2-3 in a group)


THE KINESTHETIC LEARNER LEARNS BEST BY DOING.
• Study in short blocks of time rather than extended periods.
• Take frequent breaks when studying.
• Change locations each time you take a break to help stretch your legs and give you a chance to move about when studying.
• Have as many experimental learning opportunities as possible, such as lab and studio courses, as opposed to straight lecture classes - if you have a choice.
• Consider building models or giving demonstrations to the class as opposed to more traditional written reports or term projects.
• When writing, jot down words whose spelling you're unsure of, to see if it "looks" correct.
• Utilize study groups.
• Role play/simulation
• Engage in field trips.
• Use memory techniques requiring movement - hand gestures.
• Engage in body demonstrations where a motion means a concept.
• Use flash cards.
• Make colored strips of paper that represent different concepts - link those papers together.
FACTS ABOUT THE KINESTHETIC LEARNER
Is A Natural At:
• Sports, dance
• Adventure, competition, challenge
• Running, jumping, leaping, rolling, swimming
• Action using large motor muscles
Studying/Reading Characteristics:
• Reads "how-to" books, such as carpentry
• Reads action-oriented books and plays
• Reads books, plays, articles that are brief
• Studies for short periods interspersed with moving around
• Lays on floor or bed to study
Difficulties in School:
• Having good interpersonal skills
• Having legible cursive handwriting - better with printing or keyboarding
• Sitting still; tend to fidget and need to move
• Listening to lectures more than four minutes
• Spelling
• Communicating without getting physically close to another person
• Recalling what is seen or heard - better at recalling what is done
• Expressing emotions without physical movement and gestures
• Sticking with one activity for a long period of time - best to enroll in courses that meet in one-hour blocks.
If the physical style is more like you, it’s likely that you use your body and sense of touch to learn about the world around you. It’s likely you like sports and exercise, and other physical activities such as gardening or woodworking. You like to think out issues, ideas and problems while you exercise. You would rather go for a run or walk if something is bothering you, rather than sitting at home.
You are more sensitive to the physical world around you. You notice and appreciate textures, for example in clothes or furniture. You like “getting your hands dirty,” or making models, or working out jigsaws.
You typically use larger hand gestures and other body language to communicate. You probably don’t mind getting up and dancing either, at least when the time is right. You either love the physical action of theme park rides, or they upset your inner body sense too much and so you avoid them altogether.
When you are learning a new skill or topic, you would prefer to “jump in” and play with the physical parts as soon as possible. You would prefer to pull an engine apart and put it back together, rather than reading or looking at diagrams about how it works.
The thought of sitting in a lecture listening to someone else talk is repulsive. In those circumstances, you fidget or can’t sit still for long. You want to get up and move around.
Common Pursuits and Phrases
Pursuits that involve the physical style include general physical work, mechanical, construction and repair work, sports and athletics, drama and dancing.
You may use phrases like these:
• That feels right to me.
• I can’t get a grip on this…
• Stay in touch.
• Get in touch with… • That doesn’t sit right with me.
• I have good feelings about this.
• My gut is telling me…
• I follow your drift.

Key Learning Methods for Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners learn best through doing, including manipulating items, simulations, role plays and other methods that physically involve them in the learning process. They enjoy and learn well from experimenting and firsthand experience. Further, they learn best when activities are varied during a class period.

Ways to adapt your lecture or presentation

As mentioned above, people are not exclusively auditory, visual or kinesthetic – they have a learning bias towards at least one of these. So, when preparing a presentation or a lecture, make sure to vary activities or moments as much as possible. Variation and surprise do well with the kinesthetic learner and will ensure his attention for greater stretches of time. If possible, plan some “handwork” or “do-it-yourself” moment and be sure it will be the climax of your presentation.

Fight the good fight.