For students whose learning style falls in this category, provide facts and concrete information for your sensory learners at the far left and theories and meaning for your intuitive learners on the far right. You can help your sensory students develop a more balanced learning approach by encouraging them to learn new theories and then use facts to support or negate it. This will prevent them from becoming stagnant learners who only absorb the facts at hand. Intuitive learners may find it difficult to problem solve as they may miss important details. Encourage students to state theories and then search for and memorize facts which negate or support.
Active learners enjoy group work and figuring out solutions with classmates. They learn best through experimenting and trying things out. The opposite end of the spectrum is the reflective learner who enjoys analyzing problems and thinking things through. They tend to enjoy solitary work. Active learners can be encouraged to take their time to think before engaging with classmates. Reflective learners may need to be coaxed to participate in a group decision or project.
Sequential learners focus on the details in order to understand the whole concept while global learners see the whole picture and then take note of the details. At times, it can be helpful for your sequential learners to break a problem down, but they need to be encouraged to focus on the big picture if their process is getting in the way. Global learners need to be encouraged to explain what they have done and their reasons for doing it.
In a group of learning disabled students, visual learners comprise the majority. Students with hearing impairments, Asperger's disorder, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or Down Syndrome are highly likely to be visual learners. If expected to only process auditory information, they will more than likely struggle or fail. According to Linda Silverman, director of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development, students who learn best visually need to see the whole picture to understand what they are learning. Verbal learners want to see the information or hear it spoken aloud. An audio-visual approach to learning can help students at either extreme to balance their learning style.
Learning styles may be thought of as fixed. Students may not be pushed to learn through other avenues of teaching that may not fit their particular learning styles. Teachers can become burned out trying to keep up with each student's learning style for each lesson. This is not appropriate or beneficial to anyone as there are struggles in life and students should be allowed to feel their frustration when things don't come easily to them. True learning often happens when a student must go that extra mile to achieve success. Sticking to learning styles at all costs can cause students to give up.