Tips for Tactile Learners

Clues to Style

• Preference for hands on learning
• Can assemble parts without reading directions
• Needs to be able to touch or manipulate what is being learned
• Prefers to study with a pen or pencil in hand to write things down
• Benefits from pictures or diagrams in notes
• Usually don't have visuals in mind
• Tends to be less organized
• Sense of time difficult because they work better in the present moment rather than seeing the future
• Difficulty sitting still
• Focusing and listening to a lecture without doing something is difficult
• Usually takes notes and likes to write on board
• Likes to do artwork
• Likes to piece things together
• Responds to music by physical movement
• Often found doodling
• Learning is more effective when physical activity is involved
• Learns skills by imitation and practice
• Likes to trace words and pictures
• Often seen "fiddling" with something
• Tasks that require manipulating something usually more successful
• Strong athletic talent

Study Tip Suggestions

• Get hands on-in labs for example-don't just watch someone else do it
• Use models to study-of the human brain, DNA, etc.
• Draw charts or diagrams of relationships
• Skim through reading material to get a rough idea of what it's about before looking for details
• Use finger or bookmark as a guide while reading
• Write, copy, underline and highlight with bright colors
• Trace letters and words to learn spelling and to remember facts
• Use the computer to edit and rewrite lecture notes
• Take frequent study breaks
• Write out everything
• Transfer reduced information to flashcards
• Move around to learn new things (i.e. read while walking or on an exercise bike, mold a piece of clay to learn a new concept)
• Work in a standing position
• Study or brainstorm while walking or working out
• Study with a friend or group
• Use a non-distracting movement while you learn (i.e. tapping pencil, shaking foot, chewing gum, holding something)
• Chew a different flavor of gum with each subject you study
• Try listening to non-distracting music
• Use musical rhythms for memorization patterns
• Make rearranging items a physical activity (don't draw connecting arrows-put them on separate cards to physically rearrange)
• Rewrite information to be remembered
• Act things out (use gestures when speaking, point to material being read or discussed)