What Makes Perceptual Styles a Different Way of Learning?

Perceptual learning styles are the means by which learners extract information from their surroundings through the use of their five senses. Individuals have different "pathways" that are specific to them. When information enters that "pathway" the information is retained in short term memory. Repeated exposure and use promote retention in long term memory. The seven perceptual modes (pathways_ included in this theory are print, aural, visual, interactive, haptic, kinesthetic, and olfactory.

Print - refers to seeing printed or written words.
Aural - refers to listening.
Interactive - refers to verbalization.
Visual - refers to seeing visual depictions such as pictures, graphs.
Haptic - refers to the sense of touch or grasp.
Kinesthetic - refers to whole body movement.
Olfactory - refers to sense of smell and taste.

How Did This Theory Originate?

The perceptual styles theory is based upon research that was conducted from 1975 to 1981 by Drs. Russell French, Daryl Gilley, and Ed Cherry. Since that time studies have been continued throughout the United States by researchers interested in the improvement of learning and taching. The theory has been refined and the testing instrument has been revised to reflect reearch findings. The result is a refned testing sequence administered by trained and certified testers.

Following are characteristics of learners in each modality:

Print Modality

• A Print Oriented Learner
– Often takes notes
– May like to write on the blackboard
– Remembers quickly and easily what is read
– Learns better after seeing or writing something
– Is often perceived as a “bookworm”
– Grasps important concepts on first reading of material
– Loves to read books, journals, magazines

Aural Learner
• An Aural Learner
– Tends to remember and repeat ideas that are verbally presented
– Learns well through lectures
– Is an excellent listener
– Can reproduce symbols, letters or words by hearing them
– Likes to talk
– Enjoys plays dialogues, dramas
– Can learn concepts by listening to tapes
– Enjoys music
– Can repeat of fulfill verbal instructions

Interactive Modality
• The Interactive Learner
– Learns best through verbalization
– Often hums or talks to self or others
– Usually is not quiet for great lengths of time
– Often talks at length…just to hear him/herself talk!
– Likes to use other people as a sounding board
– Enjoys question/answer sessions
– Finds small group discussions stimulating and informative
– Prefers to discuss things with others.

Visual Modality
• A Visual Learner
– Learns by seeing and by watching demonstrations
– Likes visual stimuli such as pictures, slides, graphs, demonstrations, etc.
– Conjures up the image of a form by sing it in the “mind’s eye”
– Often has a vivid imagination
– Often stares
– Needs something to watch
– Is often quiet and does not talk at length
– Becomes impatient or drifts away when extensive listening is required
– Prefers the visual arts and media

Haptic Modality
• The Haptic Learner
– Likes a “hand’s on” approach to learning
– Involves the sense of touch in learning
– Likes to do artwork
– Likes to piece things together
– May be fond of doodling
– Likes to trace words and pictures
– Is often seen “fiddling” with something
– Is successful with tasks requiring manipulation

Kinesthetic Modality
• The Kinesthetic Learner
– Learns by doing, direct involvement
– Often fidgets or finds reasons to move
– Is not very attentive to visual or auditory presentations
– Wants to be “doing” something
– Tries things out!
– Likes to manipulte objects
– Gestures when speaking
– Is often a poor listener
– Responds to music by physical movement
– Often finds success in physical response activities
– Learns better when able to move during learning
– Likes to move hands (doodling, tapping,) while learning
– Uses movement to help concentrate.

Olfactory Modality
• The Olfactory Learner
– Learns best though the sense of smell and taste
– Smells have a special significance
– Associates a particular smell with specific past memories
– Is frequently able to identify smells
– Finds that smells add to learning