3. Mental learners

Characteristics

• Like to have the idea or theory presented first
• Do not like discovery exercises
• Have strong value systems and prefer content that is related to these values
• Are considered "black and white" thinkers
• Learn well independently
• Like to talk about ideas only after they have had time to think about and consider the issues
• Concentrate intensely and, therefore, cannot divide attention among many tasks

Ideas for tasks and activities

" Native adult learners must be able to analyze and determine not only what is needed to perform well in their occupation, for example, but also what is needed for them to live a life of quality within the context of their Native cultural identity. Therefore, for Native people, an holistic educational process requires the adult learner to become aware of not only the external, objective world around them, but also the internal, subjective world that they carry inside themselves." ¹¹

• Debates
• Field trips
• Audio books
• Organizing events

4. Emotional - Relational learners

Characteristics

• Learn while talking and listening to others; learn through stories
• Like variety and like to be creative
• Can divide their attention among many things at the same time
• Learn best when the material is connected to their personal lives

Ideas for tasks and activities

• Role play, role reversal exercises
• Writing and retelling a personal story
• Scavenger hunts
• Joke telling
• Teaching with props
• Video/audio recordings

¹¹ Michael Johnny (ed.) Native Learning Styles: Second Edition. (Owen Sound, Ontario: Ningwakwe Learning Press, 2002), p. 6. Written permission granted.