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Learning Styles

There has been considerable work done that illustrates that people have three general approaches to learning from a cognitive point of view. Not so curiously, these learning styles can be generally identified by where people move their head and eyes in learning situations. One segment of the population are primarily visual learners. They generally look up and focus on more distant objects. Another group learns best via auditory inputs with their learning linked to conversation. This group generally move their heads sideways in learning situations. In the cockpit, even if the instructor is nattering on about what they should be viewing at the horizon, they cannot resist turning their head towards the instructor when receiving information. The third group responds best kinesthetically, to movements, feelings, smells and other tactile stimuli. Their learning appears to be directed inward. If they listen, it is to an inner voice, as they sense the new material. Typically these learners look downward in learning situations and unfocus their eyes.

Of course while we all are capable of slipping into each of these learning modes, we generally prefer one to the others. It is interesting to note that emotionally, looking down is associated with a sadder state, and looking up a more optimistic viewpoint. Indeed we seem to be able to influence our own internal emotional state just by changing our ‘viewpoint’. In other words, it is hard to be pessimistic when we look upwards.

The consequences for instruction are that we might consider adapting our instructional technique based upon these different learning styles. When we encounter kinesthetic learners, we might expect that they will require following through on the controls, and demonstrations even at the later stages of instruction.  Visual learners on the other hand may only have to be coached through many aspects of control.  With auditory learners we may have to separate the spoken coaching activities from the action. When speaking, the instructor will generally find that the student’s attention appears to wander away laterally as they listen to the instructor. With these students it is important to speak, and then be silent during student activities. Visual and kinesthetic learners probably can tolerate a lot more coaching, during controlling activities. The kinesthetic learner may appear to wander during the flying process, as they first sense the effect of their movements, and then relate them to the visual aspects of flight. All things being equal the visual and auditory learners will be easier to teach in the flying environment.