Learning Style Factors Effecting Learning
17 Fourth, knowing learning style could help the students to answer their
individual needs, they can understand what their weakness are and what are their strength, furthermore they can fix their weakness but build up
their strength. Fifth, by informing learning style can empower students to be more effective and independent students, since they know their
weakness and strength therefore they could work confidently because they know where they are. Sixth, knowing learning style made students
not just able to work using their strength but also they can strengthen their weakest area. Seventh, it can be used for differentiation in
learning. Teachers can use the learning style as grouping for students for gaining the goal or target of teaching and learning, this process
certainly fasten in gaining that goal.
Tri Mulyati stated that learning style is needed to know individual learner differences to make the mastery better, after that the
most suitable strategy are chosen.
13
She also mentioned that this learning strategy is really helpful for L2 class and also L2 teachers to
improve their teaching. Learning strategies are procedures employed by the learners in order to make their language learning as successful as
possible. These strategies can facilitate the internalization, storage, retrieval or use of new language, strategies are tool for the self-directed
involvement necessary for developing communicative ability
, O’mallay and Chammot learning strategies may include focusing on selected
aspects of new information, analyzing and monitoring information during acquisition, organizing or elaborating on new information
during the encoding process, evaluating the learning when it is completed or assuring oneself that the learning will successful as a way
to allay anxiety.
14
Oxford stated that learning style become one strategy that influencing L2 learning strategy, it is also mentioned that learning
style often help the choice of L2 learning strategy for example analytic- students prefer such as contrastive analysis, dividing words and phrase.
While overall-students use strategies to find meaning guessing,
13
Tri Mulyati, The values of Knowing Individual Learner Differences and S
tudent’s Learning Strategies in L2, Widyaiswara LPMP: Jawa tengah
14
O’Malley, J. M. Chammot, A. U., Learning Strategy in Second Language Acquisition Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002 ,p. 43.
18 scanning, predicting and to communicate without knowing all the
words paraphrasing, gesturing.
15
According to Feldman there are 3 kinds of learning styles they are Visual, Auditory and Tactile learning style. He divides Visual
learning style to Visualverbal learning style and visualnon verbal learning style. Visualverbal learning style prefers information in a
written format, they feel most comfortable reading, and may recall the spelling of a word by thinking of how the words looks, they learn best
when have the opportunities to read about a concept rather than listening a teacher explain about it. While Visualnon verbal learning
style learn effectively when material presented visually in a diagram or picture, they may recall by reviewing a picture and they feel benefit
from visual aids such as video, maps, model. While for Auditory learning style prefers listening to explanations rather than reading
them, they also love class lecturers and discussion, since they easily take the information that talked about. TactileKinesthetic learning style
prefer to learn by doing-touching, manipulating objects and doing things.
16
Ducket and Tatarkowski have same opinion about types of learning style, according to them types of learning styles are: Visual,
Auditory, Kinaesthetic
17
. Visual learning style learn mainly through seeing, while Auditory learn mainly through hearing, and Kinaesthetic
learn through do ing. They don’t give more explanation about that, but
that statement is brief enough to understand. They also don’t divide the three terms, they just explained it briefly.
The term multiple learning style is quit often to discuss when talk about learning style, multiple learning style is the combination
15
Oxford, R. L, Language Learning Strategies and Beyond: A look at Strategies in the Context of Style in Middleburry, North East Conference on the
Teching of Foreign Language, Journal of research faculty of Language and Islamic studies 2003, pp. 33
—35.
16
Feldman, Robert S., Power Learning; Strategies for Success in College and Life. NY: McGraw Hill, 2005, p. 58.
17
Ducket, Ian and Tatarkowski, Marilyn. Quick Guide Effective Practice Learning Styles and Their Application for Effective Learning. USA: Routledge,
2006, p. 256.
19 among learning styles, this is based on the assumption that students do
not have a singular approach to digesting a topic, however some people assume that students are restricted to particular learning style or equate
a learning style with aptitude, since students evolve in their interest and pursuit integrating learning style, it is important to know that no single
technique can reach every student, while using multiple strategies allows understanding by different types of learners. Teachers who
implemented multiple learning style theory create classroom that are student-centered, the activities are tend to open ended and it allow
student to apply concept in accordance with their particular learning style. Units are integrated the curricular areas rather than keeping them
a distinct parts, so the learning is based on a theme. For instance, Parts of body is a theme for Science, English, Math, and so on.
The writer prefers to this multiple learning, since it not separate the term learning style, it also integrated in the learning, the students
can create their multiple interests in learning one new subject, it also make the students study the subject sharply, they can learn one topic
followed by other subject, for example in study Parts of Body, in science they learn the function of body part, in English they learn what
and how are the body part work, then in Math they can learn addition using their part of body, in Social study they can learn sign in public
transportation and so on, the writer beliefs that no single technique can reach every student therefore multiple intelligence could be another
way to understand student.
To sum up, learning style is the way students to gain new knowledge, it is important to know learning style because it informs
learning and teaching, it also could help teachers to reach the goal of teaching. It is very useful for students, since it will inform their strength
and weakness in their learning. 2. Visual Learning Style
In Elementary School, which the students are in age 7 — 12,
they are in the stage of concrete operations. Learning in this stage is governed by the logic of classes and relation. The students in this stage
are more assimilative in their learning style. They rely on concept and
20 theories to select and give shape to his experiences.
18
In other word, the writer summarizes that students in Elementary School should be taught
concrete things. As the writer stated before that picture was really dominated on this age, the real object could be an exigent media, a
realia is really compassionate for the teacher.
Leaning styles reflect our preferred manner of acquiring, using and thinking about knowledge. Students don’t have just one learning
style, but a profile of styles. One student ability may be identical to someone else’s but their learning styles might be quite different.
19
as stated above that basically students don’t have only one learning style
they have at least two or three learning styles but one among them is become their profiles or identities, this one is the major of learning
styles or the focus for this study. But Pashler and Mc Daniel on their article stated that on their research, they found students with one
learning style, they said that students with one learning style achieve the best educational outcome when give an instructional method. In
other words, the instructional method that proves most effective for student with one learning style is not the most effective method for
students with a different learning style.
20
That means students divide into two categories, the first students which have one learning style and
second students which have multiple learning styles Students with Visual learning style
learn mainly through seeing, they use their eyes to study, they like to watch movies and draw or
paint, or get involved in other activities that rely on the eyes.
21
This is supported by Ducket and Tatarkowski, they stated that students with
visual learning style study mainly through seeing.
22
That means
18
Kolb, D.A. Experiential Learning : Experience as the Source of the Learning and Development New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1984, p. 24.
19
Feldman, Robert S.,Power Learning: Strategies for Success in College and Life NY: McGraw Hill, 2005, p. 57.
20
Pashler, Harold. Mc Daniel, Mark. et al, Learning Style Concept and Evidence San Diego: SAGE journals, 2008, p. 245.
21
Wood, Gail., How to study; Use Your Personal Learning Style to Help You Succeed When It Counts. New York: Learning Express, LCC, 2000, p. 10.
22
Ducket, Ian and Tatarkowski, Marilyn. Quick Guide Effective Practice Learning Styles and Their Application for Effective Learning. USA: Routledge,
2006, p. 256.
21 students with visual learning style study best with visual tools, a
colourful outline of test material might help students with visual learning style while they have a test, they may retain more information
from that things, they also can use it to recall information completely, research has shown that students can perform better on test if they
change study habit to fit their personal learning style. Therefore a visual learning style student can give best result when it fits to the
visual term such as highlighting the reading material, making colorful outline, making charts, making diagrams, making sign language, using
flascards etc.
While Feldman describes that visual non verbal learn most effectively when material presented visually in a diagram or picture,
they recall by reviewing a picture, visual aids such as videos, maps, models. Students with visual learning style find it easier to see things in
their mind’s eye-to visualize a task or concept –than to be lectured about them.
23
In short, visual students tend to visualize everything around them for study. Visual learner has positively to improve
student’s learning, Roell stated that strength of visual learner are instinctively follow directions, can easily visualize objects, has a great
sense of balance and alignment, and excellent organizer, has strong sense of color and is very color-oriented, can see a passage from a page
in a book in her mind, notices minute similarities and differences between object and people easily, can envision imagery easily.
Therefore the best way to study are studying notes on overhead slides, reading diagrams, and handouts, following a power point presentation,
reading from a textbook, study alone.
24
In the other article she also added some strategies:
a. colour code your notes, vocabulary words, textbooks. b. be sure to read the digrams, maps, and other visuals that go along
with the text to help you to remember it. c. make to-do list in an agenda
23
Feldman, Robert S., Power Learning; Strategies for Success in College and Life. NY: McGraw Hill, 2005, p. 58.
24
Roell, Kelly. The Three Different Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. About.com
22 d. study in solitude. You need to see things to remember them and
often noise will distract you. e. Take notes during lectures to capitalize on your learning style
f. Sit near the front so you are better able to see everything g. Use outlines and concepts maps to organize your notes.
25
It is really clear that students with visual learning style visual learner have activities that related to seeing activity.
To give brief description about visual learning style, here are characteristics of visual learning style according to Fleming, a visual
learner: 1. Is good at spelling but forget names.
2. Needs quiet study time. 3. Has to think awhile before understanding lecture
4. Is good at spelling. 5. Like colors and fashion.
6. Dreams in color. 7. Understandlikes charts.
8. Is good with sign language.
26
The description above gives clear explanation about what is a visual learner, Duckett and Tatarkowski added that a visual learner
enjoys reading books and may appear to a day dreaming during a session. In line with the characteristics of visual learning style, it is
important to go one way with how a visual learner learns a lesson, therefore there are some ways deal with a visual learner, Fleming
suggests that a visual learner is:
1. Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process. 2. Make outlines of everything.
3. Copy what’s on the board. 4. Ask the teacher to diagram.
5. Diagram sentences. 6. Take notes, make list
7. Watch videos.
25
Roell, Kelly. The Three Different Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. About.com
26
Fleming, Grace, Learning Styles: Know and Use your Personal Learning Style.About.com
23 8. Color code words, research notes.
9. Outline reading. 10. Use flashcards.
11. Use highlighters, circle words, underline.
27
For teachers who have about 65 visual learners may present the lesson by power point presentation, handouts, graphs and charts.
Here are some points for teachers who has many visual learner in the classroom:
1. Supplement verbal lectures with a handout, diagram, or other visuals.
2. Incorporate color into your presentation . 3. Give written instruction and expectations.
4. Vary your reading with in class with solitary reading time so visual
learners will take in the information better. 5. Vary your instructional methods lectures, group work, solitary
work, pairs, circles and assignment so every learner is challenged. 5. Show your students how to complete a task.
6. Use video and still images to enhance your presentation. 7. Provide written feedback on assignments.
28
But according to a Psychologist, it is mentioned that iconic visual students better than an echonic audio student in term of
gaining material. James stated that when he conducted an experiment to the iconic and echonic students, the iconic gained the material in
0.03 second while for echonic takes it in 03.00 second. This case shows that iconic students receive the material faster than echonic
one, but it does not mean that echonic do not learn anything, it learns something but iconic is faster than echonic.
This situation briefly describe when A meet B one day, A mention herhis name to B, another day A meet B but somehow she
forget the name but she did not forget herhis appearances, this explain that visual longer to remember appearances. Another example
is when one information presented in diagram or chart it is easier to
27
Ibid.
28
Roell, Kelly. The visual Learning Style: Visual Learning Traits About.com
24 remember or recall but it is hard to remember when the information
stated orally audio, this also explains that visual easier in capturing information presented visually rather than information orally. One
way gains advantage for visual learner is in CALL Computer Assisted Language Learning, the material presented enjoying visual
learner, and it claimed that it is communicative language learner since it focused to use form rather than on the form, it also teach grammar
implicitly rather than explicitly, it also encourages students to use original utterance, it does not judge the students but it gave them
rewards, it avoids telling the students they are wrong and is flexible to variety response etcetera.
29
At school, in fact that students enriched by visual material such as white board, portofolio, pictures, realia, etcetera. It is explained
why students are serviced by visual material, and it lead the teacher to service the students visually and it could be the answer why students
enriched by visual matter.