As professional speakers begin to construct their speeches it is imperative that they take inventory of the distinct preferences of their audience’s learning styles. Every effective speech should include the four most important learning styles of every audience. We all learn differently and learn our preferred learning style in childhood. It is yet to be determined if our learning styles are inherited or a learned behaviour but we do know that we all have one or two stronger learning styles that stays with us throughout our lives.
If we learn through feelings or concrete experience, as learners we are always brainstorming, listening, interacting, knowing our selves, understanding and appreciating others. We are always asking ourselves why. Activities such as working with a partner or group work is an excellent way of accommodating this learning style into a presentation.
If we learn though watching or reflective observation we are amazing observers, enjoy analyzing, classifying information, serializing, drawing conclusions, theorizing, seeing patterns and connections, conceptualizing the sense of the whole. We constantly ask the question what. A power point presentation or handouts, works well this learner.
If we learn though thinking or abstract conceptualization we prefer learning through experimenting, manipulating materials and ideas. We enjoy following directions, building on givens, making things work while testing reality constantly improving, trying, failing and applying. We ask the question how. Cross word puzzles and mind games are an excellent tool to help this learner see value from a presentation.
The fourth way we learn is through doing or active experimentation. We learn best though modifying, shifting, adapting, risking, collaborating, innovating and creating. We ask the question if. Making use of team work and improving existing ideas helps this learning style most effectively.
These are the four main ways audience members learn. They may have a combination of one, two or three but rarely all four styles. Some people have a more balanced learning style. There is always one distinct style that is the strongest with others somewhat less prominent.. What is important to remember is that no one style is more effective than another. They are all equal in learning capacity and are based on the uniqueness of each person.
In order to make effective presentations, the speaker must use techniques that engage all four learning styles of each member of an audience so they can best absorb the information that is being shared. This way speakers can best become memorable and inspiring to all audiences.
By : Bette Elly Klimit