Understand Your Learning Style

There are many ways to learn and understand new things.  The combination that works best for you is your learning style.  Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman have identified five ways learning styles differ:  the degree to which they are active vs. reflective, sensing vs. intuitive, visual vs. verbal, sequential vs. global, and inductive vs. deductive.

Barbara A. Soloman and Richard M. Felder have developed a short online questionnaire you can use to assess the first four dimensions of your learning style.  You can use what taking this questionnaire will teach you about yourself to improve your grades and make your classes more enjoyable.  To see how and why, first answer the Online ILS Questionnaire, then read the brief essay on Learning Styles and Strategies:

• Online ILS Questionnaire (don't forget to print a copy of your results for future reference)
• Learning Styles and Strategies (print a copy of this too!)

One word of caution:  as Felder notes on his ILS Page, your learning style profile provides an indication of probable strengths and possible tendencies or habits that might lead to difficulty in academic settings. It does not reflect your suitability or unsuitability for a particular subject, discipline, or profession.

To learn more about learning styles, visit the ILS Page.

Economics Department
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Copyright © 2001-2007 [Chris Bell (email), Economics Department, UNC Asheville].
All rights reserved.  Revised: April 03, 2007