tips for auditory learners
The best way for this type of student to commit new
information to memory is through sound. If you are an
auditory learner, you can easily
follow instructions that are spo-
ken to you and can sing along to
all your favorite songs, word for
word. You favor lecture classes,
especially when they have a group discussion compo-
nent. When you are introduced to new people at a
party, it’s easy for you to recall their names at a future
meeting.
If you are an auditory learner, try these tips to in-
crease your learning efficiency:
• Make sure to study in a quiet area—no music, no TV,
and very little ambient noise. As an auditory learner,
you are stimulated by sound, so if you minimize the
noisy distractions around you, it will be easier to fo-
cus on your studies.What Kind of Learner Are You? 7The human brain is extremely complex and has four major parts:
the brain stem, the diencephalons, the cerebellum , and the
WHAt A ScientiSt SeeS
cerebrum. Learning takes place in the largest part of the brain,
the cerebrum, and has intrigued scientists for centuries. Now,
with the aid of modern tools of observation, we can begin to
study how people commit new information to their immediate,
short-term, and long-term memories.
Positron Emission Tomography, or PET for short, is a techni-
que used to study which areas of the brain become active during
different types of learning. Before a scientist can begin to study
a subject’s brain, he or she must first intravenously inject them
with a radioactive, but harmless, chemical tracer. This tracer is
metabolized by the body’s cells and gives off positively char-
ged particles called positrons. The positrons then react with an
electron in the brain, giving off gamma rays. A special imaging
device is then used to detect, record, and create a graphical
representation of the subject’s brain activity from this data
(see photo at left).
Although we have a long way to go to fully understand the
complexity of learning, modern technology allows us to more
precisely continue our exploration of the human mind.The Brain and Learning
• Go beyond the highlighter. Utilize multiple colors
in every possible way by using a set of markers with
the maximum number of shades available. If you can
find colored markers that also have a pleasant scent
associated with them, this will increase the sensory
perception even more during your studies.
• Draw! Even if you think you are not artistic, drawing can
help commit information to memory in a visual way.
• Use graphs, images, and concept maps to help illus-
trate the subject matter.
• Go to WileyPLUS online and search for education-
al videos on your subject. Associating a storyline or
viewing an animation can help illuminate complex
concepts.
• Have multiple high-quality study locations available
and route them often. Don’t spend all your study
time in the library or your room. By changing the
background scenery, you can keep yourself just a lit-
tle more visually stimulated without being distracted.
auditory learner
Someone who learns
through listening and
speaking.✓✓THE PLAnnEr
WDCN/Univ. College London/Photo Researchers, Inc.