12.3.3.3
Haptic learners

Haptic learners learn best by doing, moving, or hands-on experiences. Getting information from a textbook (visually) or a lecture (auditorily) is not easy for them. Typical strategies would include:

  • memorizing by pacing or walking around while at the same time reciting to themselves or looking at a list or index card;
  • when reading a textbook chapter, they first look at the pictures, then read the summary or end of chapter questions, then look over the section headings and bold-faced words;
  • getting a feel for the whole chapter by reading the end sections first, and then working their way to the front of the chapter; this is working 'whole to part';
  • studying while lying on their stomach or back (when at home) or with music on in the background;
  • taking frequent breaks when studying.

Recommended strategies:

  • Wwhen trying to memorize information, closing their eyes and writing the information in the air or on a desk or carpet with their finger. Picturing the words in their heads as they do this. If possible, hearing them too. Later, when trying to recall this information, closing their eyes and seeing it with their 'mind's eye', and 'hearing' it in their head.
  • Using a bright piece of paper as a desk blotter. This is called colour grounding. Experimenting with different colours and different ways of using colour.
  • Keeping to a schedule of 20-30 minutes of study and five minutes break.

Task 8

Which are you?

In order to work out which learning channel you yourself tend to favour, have a go at O'Brien's (1985) Learning Channel Preference Checklist below.

Read each sentence carefully and think about how it applies to you. On each line, write the number that best describes your reaction to each sentence.

5 - Almost always 4 - Often 3 - Sometimes 2 - Rarely 1 - Almost never

Sentences
1 - 5
  1. I can remember something better if I write it down.
  
  1. When reading, I listen to the words in my head or read aloud.
 
  1. I need to discuss things to understand them better.
 
  1. I don't like to read or to listen to directions; I'd rather just start doing.
  
  1. I am able to visualize pictures in my head.
 
  1. I can study better when music is playing.
  
  1. I need frequent breaks while studying.
 
  1. I think better when I have the freedom to move around; studying at a desk is not for me.
 
  1. I take lots of notes on what I read and hear.
 
  1. It helps me to LOOK at a person speaking. It keeps me focused.
 
  1. It's hard for me to understand what a person is saying when there is background noise.
 
  1. I prefer having someone tell me how to do something rather than having to read directions myself.
 
  1. I prefer hearing a lecture or tape rather than reading a textbook.
 
  1. When I can't think of a specific word, I use my hands a lot and call something a "what-cha-ma-call-it" or a "thing-a-me-jig".
 
  1. I can easily follow a speaker even when my head is down or I'm staring out of the window.
 
  1. It's easier for me to get work done in a quiet place.
 
  1. I find it easy to study maps, charts, and graphs.
 
  1. When beginning an article or a book, I prefer to take a look at the ending.
 
  1. I remember what people say better than what they look like.
 
  1. I remember things better if I study aloud with someone.
 
  1. I take notes, but I never go back and read them.
  
  1. When I am concentrating on reading or writing, the radio bothers me.
 
  1. It's hard for me to picture things in my head.
 
  1. I find it helpful to talk myself through my homework assignments.
 
  1. My notebook and desk look messy, but I know where things are.
 
  1. When taking a test, I can "see" the textbook page and the correct answer to it.
 
  1. I cannot remember a joke long enough to tell it later.
 
  1. When learning something new, I prefer to listen to information on it, then read about it, then do it.
 
  1. I like to complete one task before starting another.
 
  1. I use my fingers to count and I move my lips when I read.
 
  1. I dislike proofreading my work.
  
  1. When I am trying to remember something new, for example, a telephone number, it helps me to form a picture in my head.
 
  1. For extra credit, I prefer to do a report on tape rather than write it.
 
  1. I daydream in class.
 
  1. For extra credit, I'd rather create a project than write a report.
 
  1. When I get a great idea, I must write it down straight away or I'll forget it.
 

Scoring the Learning Channel Preference Checklist
Carefully transfer your score onto each line:

1 2 4
5 3 6
9 12 7
10 13 8
11 15 14
16 19 18
17 20 21
22 23 25
26 24 30
27 28 31
32 29 34
36 33 35
Visual total: Auditory total: Haptic total:

 

Now convert each category into a percentage:
Visual total:
Auditory total:
Haptic total:

 
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