How can an instructor determine a student's preferred learning style through their comments or questions?

Determining a student's preferred learning style can be effectively achieved by paying attention to the terminology they use in their comments or questions. Language reveals a lot about how a learner interprets and engages with material. For example, a student who frequently uses visual terms such as "see" or "picture" may prefer visual learning, while one who employs tactile language like "try" or "make" may lean towards kinesthetic learning. Similarly, if a student asks questions that focus on concepts or ideas, this can indicate a preference for an auditory learning style.

This insight allows instructors to tailor their teaching approaches to better align with students' learning preferences, fostering a more effective educational environment. Evaluating exam scores, attendance records, or feedback from peers may provide additional information about a student's performance and engagement, but they do not directly reflect how a student learns best.