Revision Ideas for Different Learners

A whole lot has been done recently about 'multiple intelligences' - the fact that different people learn in different ways.   If you want to have a bit of fun and identify YOUR personal learning strengths, go to

Once you have found out where your learning strengths lie, see if any of the following suggestions for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic (= 'hands-on') learners might be of any use to you.

They have not been made up by me!   They come from a web-site written BY dyslexic pupils FOR dyslexic pupils, and they are strategies which have actually worked in helping teenagers with learning blocks manage to learn the work.

So I suspect that at least some of these ideas will be spot-on for you.

Once you have found your preferred learning style, then you can use it over and over again to give you that edge in your exam.

Revision Strategies

Visual Style

·        Recopy notes in colours

·        Visually organise or reorganise notes using columns, categories, outline forms, etc.

·        Remember where information was located in visual field

·        Create timelines, models, charts, grids, etc.

·        Write/rewrite facts, formulas, notes on wall-hanging, bedsheet, poster for visual review at any time

·        Facts, formulas, notes on index cards arranged/rearranged on wall, pin-board, floor, bed

·        Use of colour-coded markers or cards for previous two above

·        Use of visual mnemonics

·        TV/video supplements important for understanding or remembering

·        Use of "background" visual activity helps you to concentrate

·        Use of highlighters

·        Near memorisation of chapter/notes

Auditory Style

·        Need to discuss concepts/facts/aspects with friend immediately after new learning

·        Frequently does homework with friend(s) via telephone - seems to understand better and retain more

·        Tape records lesson or notes for re-listening later

·        Must say facts/formulas/information over and over to retain

·        Simultaneous talking-walking studying

·        Set information to rhyme, rhythm, or music to aid retention

·        Aural Mnemonics

·        Remember where information was located in auditory field (eg tagged to "who said that?")

·        Use of different voices to study (like creating a script, or acting out a play)

·        TV/video/radio supplements useful for obtaining information

·        Prefer to listen without taking notes

·        Prefer group discussion and/or study groups

·        Use of background music helps you to concentrate

·        Prefer quiet study environment

Kinaesthetic Style

·        Copy notes over and over, apparently to make them neat or organised

·        Must use white-out or start new page after several mistakes

·        Prefers to take notes during lesson as an aid to concentration

·        Must take notes, even when detailed outline is distributed

·        Doodles while studying

·        Must move about when studying

·        Alternates sitting still and moving during homework/studying

·        Simultaneous talking-walking, talking-exercising study, or walking-reading study

·        Sometimes does all of previous two in one study session

·        Move hands or feet for rhythm emphasis while studying

·        Make charts, grids, timelines, diagrams (usually several times)

·        Trace key words with finger, marker, hand

·        Re-enact situations while studying

·        Constructs things while studying (house of cards, blocks, etc.)

·        Prefers learning by doing

·        Frequently takes things apart, or "tinkers with things" for understanding

·        Prefers on-site visits for understanding

And don't forget...