Learning Styles Testimonials

ILSA wishes to acknowledge the support of St George's School, Wanganui, NZ. Many past and present St George's staff, students and parents have contributed to these testimonials. 

“Both our children thoroughly enjoyed the Learning Styles programme. It met their individual needs as both children were so different in their learning. They have progressed into secondary school with a wonderful knowledge of how to learn in their own way, and are achieving to a higher level than we ever thought they would.” 

Lisa and Russell McMurray, Parents

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“Learning Styles in the modern classroom is an absolute must! Not only does it help each student to improve their learning but it helps teachers become much better teachers. Teachers have a valuable resource to help understand their students’ different learning needs, and a way to assist in removing the barriers to their students’ full learning potential. Parents love the idea of the frustration removed when utilising these methods at home.” 

Anton Buys, Former Head of St George’s Campus

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“I found Learning Styles helpful in my teaching and also as a parent. It made me less judgemental and more open to different learners’ styles. It certainly broadened my perspective to extend beyond the traditional analytic learning model. My husband eats, moves, listens to music, multi-tasks and has the lights low when he is doing something difficult. I now see that this ‘style’ works for him and is not the ‘wrong’ way to get difficult tasks done. As a teacher I can try many more interesting teaching strategies with this awareness of learning styles.”

Andrea, Art Specialist and Educator

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“Our beautiful daughter had always struggled academically. Following a diagnosis of a specific learning disability, we enlisted a range of specialist interventions to assist her – namely SPELD tutoring, NumberWorks, extra tuition, tinted Irlen glasses, dietary supplements etc. Whilst all of these have helped to a degree, the recognition of her individual learning style has made a huge difference, not only to the standard of her work, but also to her self-awareness and self-confidence.”

Caroline Towers, Parent

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“It helps me learn better as I know that I need to sit at a table, have light, eat beforehand and that I need feedback on my progress.”

Hunter, Primary School Student

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“Learning Styles helps me to cater for the needs of all children more specifically. It makes me a better teacher, as I am always thinking of ways to present information in a different way so that the children retain things better, and it helps me to understand the pupils better too.” 

Sue, Teacher

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“Learning Styles has been part of our family culture for 20 years! We first encountered Learning Styles at St George’s as parents. I attended all the parent training sessions. It provided me with an understanding of how best our children learnt, revised and planned. This self knowledge supported them through their St George’s years, on to secondary school and through their university degrees. Both are creative – tactile/visual learners totally comfortable in the different ways they learn and present in their chosen creative careers. Felicity’s learning style was captured in her university of Otago promotion photos/slideshow. She was an informal learner, tactile/visual, and used ring note cards for revising and large A3 charts around her room with topic sub-headings, key words, sketches etc. For me, understanding my learning style enhanced my teaching practice by differentiating delivery to my students and adjusting my work habits. I have continued to learn and deepen my understanding over 20 years of being an educator.”

Pauline Donaldson, Education Consultant

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“For my three boys Learning Styles opened them to understanding that we need to find and then apply our own specific style to meet our needs. Particularly when there is something difficult or important. It gave them a strong sense of ownership at a very early age. Fabulous.”

Louise, Parent

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“(Learning Styles) has allowed for all our children to find out how they learn best and with the diagnostic we have been able to follow it through at home. It has given them a range of activity, never making school boring. It has enabled them to learn in a meaningful way to them but also that made sense to us, the parents. We have been able to apply this at home too from homework to learning everyday skills such as cooking etc... It has made us more open-minded about people’s ability to learn and achieve and we’ve all learnt about how our brain processes information.” 

Estelle, Parent

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“It constantly makes you aware that children learn in different ways. If something isn’t working, Learning Styles gives you the tools to find an approach that will work. It also helps in planning to be aware of the learning strengths of the children in the class.”

June Miller, New Entrants Teacher

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“Matt particularly benefited from Learning Styles when addressing or approaching a new or difficult concept. Having completed and received feedback on his inventory, this knowledge and self-awareness enabled him to better focus on tasks in a way that met his needs and preferences. He has continued to study and concentrate in this manner. As parents, receiving feedback about his preferences was invaluable, as we could support him in more difficult tasks or in times of pressure.”

Juliet, Parent and Teacher Trainee

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“It is good to have a change from the usual pattern of classes.”

Name Supplied, Secondary School Student

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“This has helped me as a parent as I can adjust how I deal with (my son and daughter) differently in how they go about their prep and other tasks – it has created a lot less stress over the ‘homework’ issue. The learning styles full reports that we have been looking at are great in explaining so much about your child – it makes me feel so much more relaxed as a parent knowing that the children’s learning needs are being fully met. When (secondary schools) engage in this as well it will be great! It would be great if all parents could do their learning styles as well.”

Fiona, Parent

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“I found it helpful because at school and at home I knew where and when and how I would do my work to do it to the best, especially something hard.” 

Ella, Secondary School Student

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“They are a great pedagogical tool for teachers. Learning Styles fits comfortably under wider frameworks such as IB PYP/MYP curriculums. They offer students the opportunity to be engaged and reflect upon their learning. Learning Styles are recognition that we need to personalise and customise education. Learning Styles affords teachers a different perspective.”

D Bennett, Director of Teaching and Learning, Wanganui Collegiate School

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“When our first son brought his inventory home, we reorganised his study area because, unlike his parents who had always used a desk in a solitary environment, his preference was to work with adults in the background. This was a revelation!” 

T. Martin, Parent

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“I went to St George’s School where Learning Styles was a big part of everyday life. They definitely helped me with my learning and I have continued to use them in my secondary school education.” 

Sally, Secondary School Student

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“Learning Styles keeps students on task and motivated. All the perceptual styles layered in one lesson gives each child an entry point into the lesson. There is variety for the class. Lessons delivered in chunks give closure for globals and analytics. Having students prepare their own perceptual components is a form of rehearsal time thus transferring from short-term to long-term memory. In planning and making the materials, higher level thinking skills are invoked, especially analysis, evaluation and eventually creating, thus creating extra pathways into the brain...and, very importantly, developing thinking skills. When the materials are placed into the class library there is a selection for students to use to reinforce the learning in their second modality. This approach also frees the teacher to cruise the room and provide formative assessment.” 

Alan Cooper, Former Headmaster, Education Consultant

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“Children all learn differently – it is wonderful to have the opportunity early in their learning years to find out how they learn best and then to be able to see their learning style work for them and help with their learning for the rest of their lives.” 

Robert and Bronwyn Donald, Parents

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“I have found that knowing how I learn best has helped me particularly when it comes to studying for exams and learning new and difficult things – highlighting words in different colours as well as using flash cards helped when I was learning a new language. It has also been helpful when working in pairs or groups to work with others who have similar learning styles – you seem to be able to work together better on a task.” 

Sam, Secondary Student

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“We enjoy Learning Styles because every child is different and learns in different ways. Learning Styles is suited to the individual needs of each child and helps them to be at their best.” 

Tracey Johnson, Parent

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“My learning style is global. Because we were taught about Learning Styles and I was able to work in an environment that really suited me, learning was a lot easier and much more interesting.” 

Joel, Secondary School Student

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“We knew nothing about Learning Styles when (our son) first started at St George’s. However, it soon became apparent how important it was. (He) thrived with this method of teaching and the results have been amazing. (He) is now in year 10 and still prefers to work using the learning styles he learnt while at St George’s.”

Tracey, Parent

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“I know if I don’t understand something doing it one way there is always another way to try, e.g. I couldn’t learn my times tables just by saying them out loud, but found if I used flash cards learning them was easier.” 

Olivia, Primary School Student

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“By having been given a grounding of knowing my most effective learning style, I have been able to build on this and still use what I learnt at St George’s in terms of learning styles to help me study for NCEA today. Learning Styles has meant I know how to effectively study to the best of my capabilities and therefore find study (most of the time!) enjoyable.” 

Kate, Secondary School Student

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“Learning Styles has been helpful in teaching productive ways to study and what suits me for learning. There is no point in trying to study when it’s at the wrong time of day or you’re uncomfortable or the technique you’re using is unhelpful. Learning Styles showed me the ways to learn and study which best suit me so that when important exams etc come up, I know how to study/learn in a way that’s best for me.” 

Tenille, University Student

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“The training I received at St George’s was a major factor in my continued enjoyment and development of teaching Christian Education classes – and currently as a Supervisor/Leader in a local Sunday School. Now - as we prepare lessons for 5-to-12-year-olds and include teenagers as ‘helpers’ in our programme – I am continually drawing on LS knowledge and endeavouring to pass this on to other leaders. The Learning Style programme brought a whole new dimension to my classroom teaching of Christian Education. Previously, I had seen students connecting and responding to different parts of a lesson – however the identification of their individual learning preferences enabled me to plan and present material in a more deliberate manner. I appreciated understanding my own learning style more clearly and I use this continually as I prepare and present work in my current role. I would also note that returning to St George’s last year (2009) and teaching in a much larger classroom was exciting in that I was able to give students more choices for working in light/shade, desk/couch/floor. Now – as a grandparent – I can identify learning styles in my own grandchildren and am excited about the benefits this brings.”

Margaret Moffat, Christian Education Teacher

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“It made me think about my own learning style which will be reflected in my teaching style – this means that other styles (for students in my class) need also to be met by their appropriate teaching style. I have to learn more different teaching styles – this is what I have realised – I usually try to use at least one other teaching style as part of my teaching but this has made me ‘rethink’ my teaching.”

Andrea Mertens, Secondary School Teacher

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“It has been wonderful to have individual understanding about how each of your children learns best and thus you can tailor your teaching of new and difficult concepts to their best learning styles. The book poster and now passports make that info so readily available.” 

Sarah Eales, Primary School PE and Maths Teacher, and Secondary School Outdoor Education Teacher

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“(Our) four children have been involved in Learning Styles and found it useful through secondary school and on to university level in their essays, planning and assignments and all aspects of their study. As a primary teacher I have found it useful in getting to know my students and using various aspects for encouraging all types of children to learn in their own ways.” 

Debra, Parent and Primary School Teacher

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“The children have all described their styles when referring to how they understand their world or rehearse new information. For instance, (our daughter) does her best work sitting at a desk and when it is warm. She enjoys visual cues. (One son) appreciates dim light. (The other) requires food and an informal environment.” 

Vivian, Parent

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“Looking back to when our boys were at St George’s, we were very impressed with the Learning Styles programme. We felt it was a really good way of bringing out the best in them. They all have different strengths and different ways in which they learn best. I know that when they are happy, confident and comfortable with how they are going with their work they tend to work and try harder. They were always supported well and encouraged to work to the best of their ability. They learnt to research well and the variety of topics was incredibly stimulating. Luke has always had an amazing work ethic and we believe that is because of his time at St George’s. During his 5 years at Collegiate he was very focused, enthusiastic and enjoyed learning. His ability went from an average student to a very capable student and now he is studying 1st year Health Science at Otago and his commitment and hard work is rewarding him with good results. We can’t praise St George’s enough for preparing our boys so well for their future.” 

Sandi Burgess, Parent

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“Learning Styles is helpful as it provides an opportunity for one to consider the ways that it may be possible for a person to learn. I think through this it helps to open the eyes of the teacher to the fact that most people will learn differently and we as teachers cannot assume that we are all the same. It also allows us to have discussions with our children about the ways that they learn best and enables them to use this information to assist them to perform at their best. I think that by becoming more aware, the metacognition that is involved in thinking about the different styles and modalities will assist us to understand why we find some tasks hard and some easy, and then manipulate the learning to better suit us. This has worked for us at home. We provide some flexibility for the children but I think the two rules of the learning styles classroom are incredibly important: 1. Your learning-style strategy cannot interfere with someone else’s, and 2. If your work is not excellent or improving then clearly this is not your learning style.” 

R. Helm, Primary School Headmaster

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“I found Learning Styles very helpful as it helped me to remember things easier by calming me down then doing a map which helped me to recall things.” 

Nicola, University Student

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“Being able to recognise the learning style that best suited me and being able to apply it (was helpful). I still find Learning Styles helpful today with my study and planning, for example I know that I work best late morning, by myself and with no background noise or distractions.” 

Charlotte Gollan, Primary Teacher Trainee

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“I find they (Learning Styles) produce other methods of learning or studying, different from the usual form – notes. They can be used for a variety of things subject-wise, from maths to music, and all enables me to memorise and learn information easier.”

Olivia, Secondary School Student

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“As a parent it was so helpful to know and understand that people/children do have different learning styles and to have these styles formalised so you could know what type of learning style your child had. As a result of knowing our children’s learning styles, when the boys had difficult or challenging homework we were able to provide the right physical environment and be more understanding of their individual needs. Our eldest son was very parent/teacher-motivated (and even as a university student is still the same) and really thrived on this motivation, whereas our younger son was internally motivated and not so dependent upon praise and motivation. Our eldest son is a great reader (i.e. a visual learner) whereas our younger is not and I found this a bit worrying because, as a reader myself, I felt this could inhibit his ability to learn. After finding out that he is an auditory learner it was easier to be more understanding of this. He realises that he will have to attend university lectures to gain the most understanding of new and difficult topics, whereas our elder son can miss lectures because he can learn from the textbooks more easily. I think the learning tools used when the children were learning topics such as the study of a country, person or science experiment made the experience more memorable and interesting. By this I mean the use of flip cards, and question and answer cards. I also liked the way the children were encouraged to develop their own learning tools, in fact we still have the snakes and ladders board game that Luke developed for a conservation project about flora and fauna. That reminds me, we still have the entire project box of all the things he created for an astronomy topic. My husband and I enjoyed the parent information evenings and workshops because these helped us to understand their learning styles and to be of help to the boys.” 

Theresa Janett, Parent

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“I found learning styles helpful throughout my schooling but especially when it came to doing important exams such as NCEA and University as I knew that I am a visual person who works best sitting at a desk without music and food.” 

Sarah, University Student

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“I found the learning styles helpful when I came to the time of exams and in class time because I know I am best working at formal seating and I work best hearing things. I learnt this at St George’s.” 

William, Secondary School Student