Running head: AN EXAMINATION OF MY LEARNING STYLES

An Examination of My Learning Styles and Strategies

Mary Kay Altizer
Azusa Pacific University

AN EXAMINATION OF MY LEARNING STYLES

An Examination of My Learning Styles and Strategies

Metacognition is something that I would have never even investigated had it not
been for my on-line educational journey. As I studied the eight standard learning styles I was
hoping for a hard and fast diagnosis. However it was soon revealed that I possessed quite a
variety of learning styles. According to the Multiple Intelligences Inventory (McKenzie, 2014)
everyone has all of the intelligences, albeit in stronger or weaker capacities. However, it was
comforting to learn that it is possible for me to strengthen my weaker intelligence categories.
Although my results varied somewhat between the Multiple Intelligences Inventory
(McKenzie, 2014) and The Multiple Intelligences Self Assessment (Shearer, 2014) I could see a
trend in my outcomes. I tended to score the highest on the musical, naturalist, logical,
kinesthetic and visual categories. It was no surprise to me that I found that I am a visual learner.
Instructional videos, diagrams or illustrated instructions cause my brain to release large amounts
of dopamine. My obvious strong learning style is musical, as it seems to be part of my fiber.
In the Learning Styles and Strategies Index of Learning Styles questionnaire (Felder &
Soloman, 2002) I learned that I am balanced between sensing and intuitive learning as well as
between active and reflective learning, that my scores on visual were higher than verbal, and that
I tend to score higher on sequential learning than on global learning. According to Learning
Styles, Understanding Learning Preferences (Manktelow & Carlson, n.d.), Learning styles and
preferences vary for each of us and balance is key. I look forward to attaining this balance by
reinforcing my learning strengths and neutralizing the liabilities of my weaknesses.
Investigating my learning styles and strategies will not only help me become a more
strategic learner, but will enable me to become a more effective teacher who designs lessons and
projects that will help my students thrive within their own learning styles.

AN EXAMINATION OF MY LEARNING STYLES

References
Felder, R. M., & Solomon, B. A. (2002). Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire. Retrieved
from http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html
Manktelow, J., & Carlson, A. (n.d.). Learning Styles: Understanding Learning Preferences
Mind Tools. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/mnemlsty.html
McKenzie, W. (1999-2014). Multiple Intelligences Inventory. Retrieved from
http://surfaquarium.com/MI/inventory.htm
Shearer, B. (2014). Multiple Intelligences Self Assessment. Eutopia. Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-assessment