Learning Styles - What type are your learners?

One of the really fascinating things in any group or team process is the myriad of learning styles which show up. chances are in any group you are working with their will be a range of visual, auditory or kinesthetic learners. While some learning style models create even more discrete categories than this, you will see people with different preferences. I go into more detail around learning styles in my book, From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013). at it's core, the learning style preferences of the different group members are:

Visual:
Prefer and learn throguh things they can see - PowerPoints, Post It notes, Written Materials
Visual learners may also enjoy processing like journalling more than free flowing conversation, as words can anchor their learning process
Media rich approaches such as movies and photo decks (such as Conversation Sparker) are also stimulating to visual learners
Would prefer a webinar with screen sharing over an auditory bridgeline call

Auditory Learners:
Learn by hearing
Virtual channels such as conference calls can be rich for learning
Dialogue and discussion  help to lock things in

Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners learn by doing and moving
Kinesthtetic learners may appreciate somatic approaches to coaching which incorporates more "body-centered" approaches

As coaches, working wtih our gorup members to learn about their stule prferences helps us shape a program in terms of design, but also should shape the way we ask questions to different group members.

The question "What does that look like?" is going to be more resonant for a visual learner.

The question "What does that sound like?" is going to be more resonant for an auditory learner.

The questions "What does it feel like?" is going to be more resonant for a kinesthetic learner.

For severeal years now I have worked with different illustrators to bring to life some of these concepts and I am pleased to share with you one we did on the different learning styles. I am sure that for someo of you the cartoon will "lock in" the distinctions, even more than the written word can! Enjoy!

We'll be covering the topic of learning styles to a much greater depth in several upcoming programs including:
The Virtual Facilitation Skills Intensive - a 15 hour online train-the-trainer for those wanting to lead more effective and engaging virtual events - webinars, teleclasses, virtual meetings, etc. Starts Thursday Feb 4th from 12 - 3 pm Eastern/New York (online) and runs for 5 weeks to Thur March 3 (3 spots open)

The Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar - 8.75 CCEs - Covering best practices around  designing, implementing and marketing group coaching (in person and virtual groups, corporate and public groups). Starts Fridays 1:30-2:45 pm Eastern February 5 (runs 5 weeks to March 4th)

The Learning Lab and Design Studio - A six and twelve month group focused on expanding your toolbox and confidence with all things related to group and team programming! Meets Fridays 12 - 1 pm ET,kicking off this Friday  January 29th. Learn more (including call times)

And now...meet Jo, a new team leader who is trying to figure out how she can support the different learning styles in her team. Jo (and her adventures as a new team leader) will be featured at my Teams365 blog for team leaders this year. I would love your feedback on  how you like this first cartoon. Feel free to comment below.

The Adventures of Jo - Learning Styles, Copyright Jennifer Britton, Potentials Realized, 2016.

Best
Jennifer

 Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPCC, CPT
GroupCoachingEssentials.com | Potentials Realized
Author of Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2009) and From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Phone: (416)996-8326
Email me with any questions you have at info(at)potentialsrealized(dot)com

Upcoming programs include:
Learning Lab and Design Studio - Fridays at 12 noon Eastern (by phone) starting January 29th
Group Coaching Essentials teleseminar starts Friday February 5 at 1:30 pm Eastern (8.75 CCes)\
Virtual Facilitation Skills Intensive - a 15 hour onlineTrain-the-Trainer starts Thursday February 4th at 12 noon Eastern