Is your teen the kind of person who likes speaking up in class? Do they get energized by brainstorming with other students or coming up with ideas on their own first, and then sharing the best ones?
While it’s helpful for teachers to understand personality differences, it’s more helpful for students to understand themselves. Because they’ll be the ones to help themselves along the way.
Extraversion (often spelled "Extroversion") or Introversion are the first of the four letters that make up the Myers-Briggs personality type. They tell you how you’re energized. And how you learn best.
But self-awareness around personality type doesn’t just help students in the classroom. When they start new career, a new project, even a new task, they are often learning something new.
Here’re a few different learning strategies for extraverted vs. introverted learners.
Learning Strategies for Extraverted Students
Students who have a preference for Extraversion process information externally and may not spend much time thinking before they speak or act.
Be an active listener. While some sit-down lectures can feel restrictive, it’s the perfect time to implement any active listening skills you’ve learned (i.e., nodding, note taking). One extraverted learner said, “During workshops I’ve learned to sit at the front of the room. If I don't sit up front, I'm tempted to talk to others and check my messages.”
Read the material out loud. Sometimes a solo activity like reading can seem boring if you’re easily distracted. It might even feel like the words on the page just bounce around in your head. Reading aloud gives them a place to go – and potentially helps you retain the information.
Start or participate in discussion groups. Make your learning experience more interactive by forming a study group or finding a partner. If you can’t get together in person, consider virtual options like Facebook groups or Zoom meetings.
Learning Strategies for Introverted Students
People who have a preference for Introversion process information internally and need more time to think about things on their own.
Find a quiet space. Find opportunities to do what you do best: listen, observe, read, and contemplate. If possible, make sure you have a quiet space where you can clarify and consolidate information.
Protect your independence. Since you value a quiet space, online classes might be your best bet to control your environment. If you do end up craving a bit of interaction, look for a study partner or virtual small group.
Speed things up when necessary. When your schedule doesn’t allow you to dive deep into a subject, figure out alternate ways to absorb the information (i.e., videos, summaries). Another introverted learner said, “There just wasn't enough time to read everything as carefully and thoroughly as I wanted to, so I adopted some strategies for skimming articles. It wasn't the way I wanted to learn, but I needed to do something to survive the course load.”
Learn more about the researched-backed psychometric MBTI assessment at www.mbtionline.com.
