What type of learner are you?

IBDP Student Blogs, Advice & Tips for IB Students | November 25, 2014
What type of learner are you?

For any student, getting the best grades you can is a key goal. Achieving that goal can be easier if you identify what type of learner you are early and have the right means to cater to your strengths. Take our quick quiz to find out what type of learner you are.

 When studying…
  1. Do you like to have background noises? Yes: you are an ‘auditory’ learner.
  2. Do you like to look at graphics, reading or watching your teacher demonstrate? Yes: you are a ‘visual’ learner.
  3. Do you like to learn through a ‘hands-on, active’ approach e.g. drawing, writing notes? Yes: you are a ‘kinaesthetic’ learner.
  4. Do you like to link your theory and practice? Yes: you are a ‘reflective’ learner.

Of course, many students will use a combination of learning styles which is advantageous because it means that as you develop, you can utilise each of these styles effectively and in all situations. So, whilst you may have a preferred way of learning, continue to practice the other styles.

When it comes to the tools and materials, as an IB student, we know how difficult and demanding the journey can be. You need all of the help you can get, and from trusted sources. With increasing amounts of tools and resources available, you don’t want to waste valuable time researching or finding the best ones.

Given the above pedagogical approach, here at OSC, we have tried and tested OSC’s products and tools to see which fit best into the learner styles. Plus, we’ve added some extra study tips in each category – all helping to make your IB life easier.

Auditory Learners

 

  • OSC Maths Videos – active revision, listening to and watching IB teachers explain material.
  • OSC Revision Courses and Summer Schools – face-to-face tuition from experienced IB teachers. The most successful IB courses in the world.
  • Background noise: music, TV programmes, radio shows, podcasts.
  • Record key points, listen and repeat.
  • Explain your findings to friends or family.

 
Visual Learners

 

  • OSC Maths Videos – active revision, listening to and watching IB teachers explain material.
  • OSC Planner –map out your deadlines and schedules.
  • OSC Revision Guides – full of diagrams, tables and graphics.
  • Create mind maps.
  • Use highlighters to highlight key words and visualise the page.
  • Draw sketches and cartoons of material.
  • Visualise the layouts of your notes.
  • Create flow-charts and diagrams.
  • Imagine shopping baskets or a house and visualise material in each room of the house.

 
Kinaesthetic Learners

 

  • OSC Revision Guides – test your understanding through exercises, exam questions, tests and worked examples.
  • OSC Revision Courses and Summer Schools – face-to-face tuition from experienced IB teachers. The most successful IB courses in the world.
  • OSC Planner – map out your exams and revision time.
  • Use sticky notes.
  • Practice your memory and recall by rewriting notes.
  • Create sequences and patterns.
  • Teach yourself – act, sing, dance, teach your friends.

 
Reflective Learners

 

  • OSC Revision Courses and Summer Schools – face-to-face tuition from experienced IB teachers. The most successful IB courses in the world.
  • OSC Revision Guides – learn and evaluate through tests, exam questions, and worked examples.
  • OSC Maths Videos – active revision, listening to and watching IB teachers explain material.
  • OSC Planner – map out your exams and revision time.
  • Try group work to reflect.
  • Brainstorm your findings and work.

 

Now that you have identified your learning style and have some good ideas on how you can apply that style to tools and resources, you can quickly become a successful learner and get the grades you want!

For even more tools and resources, check out OSC’s Revision Centre. It is packed full of reliable, helpful resources, all developed and created by IB teachers, examiners and educators, and tried and tested by IB students. There is something for everybody, whatever stage of the IB you are.

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