People learn in different ways. Just as we prefer different hair styles, clothing styles, managerial styles, and music styles, we also feel much more natural and comfortable acquiring information in ways that fit our preferred "styles" of learning.

In his landmark 1983 book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Harvard educator, Dr. Howard Gardner, strongly urged that we replace the notion of one kind of intelligence--measured by IQ--with a recognition of at least seven different kinds. He categorized them as linguistic (verbal), logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic (using physical movement), musical, spatial (visually oriented), interpersonal and intrapersonal (independent). According to Gardner, each type of intelligence has its own particular neurological pattern and, to a great extent, this has been confirmed by research in the behavioral and brain sciences.

Most of us learn by blending several styles, but we usually prefer just one or two. Think of it as "smarts." Are you: word smart----number smart----picture smart----body smart----music smart----people smart----or self smart?

Knowing your preferred learning styles can help you choose a career or make a career change, acquire new information faster by setting up optimal learning situations, choose satisfying leisure activities, identify compatible relationships with less trial and error, and explain yourself to others. Use the following checklist to identify your preferred styles--then start managing learning situations to your best advantage:

If you are a Linguistic Learner, you:

• value books and like to talk about what you've read

• "hear" words in your head before speaking or reading them

• have a good memory for names, places, dates and/or trivia

• enjoy word games, puns and tongue twisters

• are a good speller

• have a good vocabulary

• write well

• communicate with others in a highly verbal way

If you are a Logical-mathematical Learner, you:

• are curious about how things work
• mentally compute measurements and formulas
• enjoy logic puzzles, brainteasers and games of strategy, like chess
• look for rational explanations, think logically and seek logical answers
• feel more comfortable when something has been measured, categorized, analyzed, or quantified in some way
• like to experiment in a way that uses higher order cognitive thinking processes
• have a good sense of cause and effect

If you are a Spatial Learner, you:

• draw or doodle
• read charts, maps, and diagrams more easily than text
• enjoy artistic pursuits
• see clear visual images
• have a strong sense for colors
• often have vivid dreams at night
• enjoy taking (and looking at) photographs or movies
• can get around easily in unfamiliar territory
• can comfortably imagine how objects appear from different angles
• prefer reading material that is heavily illustrated
• enjoy doing puzzles, mazes and similar visual activities

If you are a Bodily-Kinesthetic Learner, you:

• are physically active and enjoy the outdoors
• excel at one or more sports/athletic pursuits
• find it difficult to sit still for long periods
• like working with your hands
• enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together
• have a need to touch things when learning about them
• are well coordinated
• need to practice skills by doing them rather than simply reading/hearing about them

If you are a Musical Learner, you:

• sometimes hum, sing, or make tapping sounds while working
• enjoy listening to music on radio, cassette, or CD
• can tell if a musical note is off key
• may play a musical instrument or sing well
• find music enriching
• know the tunes to many different songs
• have a good singing voice
• have a rhythmic way of speaking or moving

If you are an Interpersonal Learner, you:

• enjoy socializing with others
• are sought out by others for advice and counsel
• enjoy group games and sports
• prefer to talk over problems with another person, rather than solving them alone
• have at least three close friends
• seek the company of coworkers both during and after hours
• voluntarily tutor coworkers in new skills
• show leadership ability
• are an active member of one or more clubs, committees or other organizations

If you are an Intrapersonal Learner, you:

• are strong willed and independent
• are self-directed and prefer working alone
• are interested in learning more about yourself
• at times may say or do things that others have difficulty understanding
• may be a loner
• have strong opinions about things
• have a rich inner life
• have high self-esteem

When you have identified one or two preferred modes of learning, use that knowledge to structure learning situations that favor your style. For example, to learn a foreign language a linguistic learner might concentrate on vocabulary, using books and audio tapes; a logical-mathematical learner might put more emphasis on rules of grammar; a spatial learner would respond well to lots of illustrations, photos and films; a bodily-kinesthetic learner might decide to enroll in a total immersion course abroad; a musical learner would do well to play background music when studying and learn songs and poems in the foreign tongue; an interpersonal learner might seek a highly interactive classroom situation; and an intrapersonal learner might work alone with audio tapes or CDs.

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