My Learning Preferences

Today I am going to reflect on how I learn and it's clear that my learning style is a unique blend of kinesthetic, auditory and visual. Reflecting on to when I have learned new skills or information, I have always learned through a mixture of movement, sound and images. I have come to understand that I learn most actively when I am actively doing something or engaged in doing it. Whether I'm manipulating my hands in making, constructing, or experimenting, my body itself is a tool for learning. I reflect upon how, in learning to play the guitar, I needed to feel the fretboard and strings, and the rhythm in the body before the notes became available in my brain. It was not enough to hear or view; I had to "do"

In addition to the physical engagement, I also nourish myself on the audio input. Podcasts, lectures, and discussions are a goldmine for me. I am able to get absorbed in the rhythm of a voice, the tone and the pace helping me connect the dots in my understanding. I even recall periods during my classes when I'd draw in my notebook, but the moment the instructor altered the pitch or the tone of her voice, I'd regain focus at once. It's as though the tone takes on a string that pulls at me, causing me to condense the material into easier concepts. Even at times I talk to myself out loud while solving a problem—I can hear the words and am able to piece my thoughts together.

But, perhaps best of all, I utilize visual cues to connect everything. Diagrams, charts, videos, and even colors help cement ideas in my mind. I typically visualize processes or maps when I'm problem-solving. A clear mental image has always made things stick better. Whether it's watching a YouTube video to get educated on something new or utilizing mind maps to divide information, what I'm witnessing is what helps me picture the greater image. These learning mediums collectively create a dynamic, three-dimensional approach in which motion, sound, and vision blend in harmony.