The generally accepted styles of learning are auditory, visual or nonverbal and kinesthetic. The traditional method of teaching appeals to auditory learners but not to nonverbal and kinesthetic learners. Kinesthetic learners learn by doing and nonverbal learners by seeing. Learning styles may not be quite as simplistic as these categories suggest, however. Research reported in the Institute for Learning Styles Research Journal indicates there may actually be 70 different models of learning styles, all with conflicting assumptions about learning. Nevertheless, current practice is to develop teaching strategies to appeal to the three types of learning styles.
The key to developing effective alternatives for teaching nonverbal learners is to recognize the different tools available. Films are a highly useful tool for conveying critical concepts. For example, rather than lecturing students about the roots of organized crime, show them a History Channel documentary on organized crime. Other tools include diagrams, charts, pictures and concept maps. These tools present key concept information in visual form. For assessment purposes, nonverbal learners need to see how to do proper work. Provide these students with samples of previous students' successfully completed assignments.
Nonverbal learners benefit from physical demonstration and modeling of concepts. A simple example is teaching someone the concept of proper body mechanics in a seated row weight training machine exercise. The demonstration is straightforward. The learner watches and then tries it himself. Tell the student to visualize pinching his shoulder blades together like he's squeezing a pencil between them. Guided visualization is effective for teaching nonverbal learners.
Nonverbal learners may be more attuned to the way something is said, rather than what is said. Effective teaching strategies incorporate nonverbal signals to reinforce learning. Making eye contact, smiling where appropriate and varying pitch, tone and rhythm are the keys to relating to nonverbal learners. Humor helps to relieve tension and to create a friendly environment conducive to learning.