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103 Learning Styles Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

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Learning styles refer to the different ways in which individuals absorb, process, and retain information. Understanding your unique learning style can greatly enhance your academic performance and overall learning experience. In this article, we will explore 103 learning styles essay topic ideas and provide examples to help you better understand this concept.

The impact of learning styles on academic achievement
How to identify your learning style
Visual learning style: Characteristics and examples
Auditory learning style: How to study effectively
Kinesthetic learning style: The benefits of hands-on learning
Verbal learning style: Enhancing language skills through reading and writing
Logical learning style: Strategies for problem-solving and critical thinking
Social learning style: The importance of group collaboration
Solitary learning style: How introverts can thrive in their studies
The role of learning styles in online education
How to adapt your study habits to match your learning style
The connection between learning styles and memory retention
The impact of culture on learning styles
Gender differences in learning styles
Learning styles and emotional intelligence
The relationship between learning styles and personality traits
How to accommodate different learning styles in the classroom
Learning styles and learning disabilities
The benefits of incorporating multiple learning styles in lesson planning
The role of technology in catering to diverse learning styles
How to create a personalized learning plan based on your learning style
The impact of learning styles on career choice
Learning styles and study habits: Finding the perfect balance
The connection between learning styles and motivation
How to leverage your learning style to improve your study skills
The importance of self-awareness in understanding your learning style
Learning styles and cognitive development
The influence of learning styles on information processing
Learning styles and academic success: Tips for achieving your goals
The role of feedback in catering to different learning styles
Learning styles and classroom management
The connection between learning styles and teaching strategies
How to adapt your communication style to match your learning style
The impact of learning styles on memory encoding
Learning styles and creativity: How to unleash your full potential
The relationship between learning styles and problem-solving skills
Learning styles and decision-making processes
How to tailor your study environment to match your learning style
Learning styles and time management: Strategies for effective studying
The influence of learning styles on information retention
How to overcome learning style biases in education
Learning styles and peer collaboration: The benefits of teamwork
The connection between learning styles and learning preferences
Learning styles and self-regulated learning
The impact of learning styles on academic motivation
How to use your learning style to enhance your communication skills
The relationship between learning styles and learning outcomes
Learning styles and learning strategies: Finding what works best for you
The benefits of incorporating experiential learning in your study routine
Learning styles and project-based learning: How to excel in group projects
The connection between learning styles and learning disabilities
Learning styles and learning environments: Adapting to different settings
How to leverage your learning style to improve your problem-solving abilities
The impact of learning styles on information processing
Learning styles and cognitive development: Enhancing your cognitive abilities
The relationship between learning styles and academic performance
Learning styles and emotional intelligence: Developing your EQ

In conclusion, understanding your learning style is essential for maximizing your learning potential. By exploring these essay topic ideas and examples, you can gain valuable insights into how to tailor your study habits and academic approach to match your unique learning preferences. Embrace your learning style and watch your academic performance soar!

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The 7 main types of learning styles (and how to teach to them), share this article.

Understanding the 7 main types of learning styles and how to teach them will help both your students and your courses be more successful.

When it comes to learning something new, we all absorb information at different rates and understand it differently too. Some students get new concepts right away; others need to sit and ponder for some time before they can arrive at similar conclusions.

Why? The answer lies in the type of learning styles different students feel more comfortable with. In other words, we respond to information in different ways depending on how it is presented to us.

Clearly, different types of learning styles exist, and there are lots of debates in pedagogy about what they are and how to adapt to them.

For practical purposes, it’s recommended to ensure that your course or presentation covers the 7 main types of learning.

In this article, we’ll break down the 7 types of learning styles, and give practical tips for how you can improve your own teaching styles , whether it’s in higher education or an online course you plan to create on the side.

Skip ahead:

What are the 7 types of learning styles?

How to accommodate different types of learning styles online.

How to help students understand their different types of learning styles

How to create an online course for all

In the academic literature, the most common model for the types of learning you can find is referred to as VARK.

VARK is an acronym that stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading & Writing, and Kinesthetic. While these learning methods are the most recognized, there are people that do not fit into these boxes and prefer to learn differently. So we’re adding three more learning types to our list, including Logical, Social, and Solitary.

Visual learners

Visual learners are individuals that learn more through images, diagrams, charts, graphs, presentations, and anything that illustrates ideas. These people often doodle and make all kinds of visual notes of their own as it helps them retain information better.

When teaching visual learners, the goal isn’t just to incorporate images and infographics into your lesson. It’s about helping them visualize the relationships between different pieces of data or information as they learn.

Gamified lessons are a great way to teach visual learners as they’re interactive and aesthetically appealing. You should also give handouts, create presentations, and search for useful infographics to support your lessons.

Since visual information can be pretty dense, give your students enough time to absorb all the new knowledge and make their own connections between visual clues.

Auditory/aural learners

The auditory style of learning is quite the opposite of the visual one. Auditory learners are people that absorb information better when it is presented in audio format (i.e. the lessons are spoken). This type of learner prefers to learn by listening and might not take any notes at all. They also ask questions often or repeat what they have just heard aloud to remember it better.

Aural learners are often not afraid of speaking up and are great at explaining themselves. When teaching auditory learners, keep in mind that they shouldn’t stay quiet for long periods of time. So plan a few activities where you can exchange ideas or ask questions. Watching videos or listening to audio during class will also help with retaining new information.

Reading and writing (or verbal) learners

Reading & Writing learners absorb information best when they use words, whether they’re reading or writing them. To verbal learners, written words are more powerful and granular than images or spoken words, so they’re excellent at writing essays, articles, books, etc.

To support the way reading-writing students learn best, ensure they have time to take ample notes and allocate extra time for reading. This type of learner also does really well at remote learning, on their own schedule. Including reading materials and writing assignments in their homework should also yield good results.

Kinesthetic/tactile learners

Kinesthetic learners use different senses to absorb information. They prefer to learn by doing or experiencing what they’re being taught. These types of learners are tactile and need to live through experiences to truly understand something new. This makes it a bit challenging to prepare for them in a regular class setting.

As you try to teach tactile learners, note that they can’t sit still for long and need more frequent breaks than others. You need to get them moving and come up with activities that reinforce the information that was just covered in class. Acting out different roles is great; games are excellent; even collaborative writing on a whiteboard should work fine. If applicable, you can also organize hands-on laboratory sessions, immersions, and workshops.

In general, try to bring every abstract idea into the real world to help kinesthetic learners succeed.

Logical/analytical learners

As the name implies, logical learners rely on logic to process information and understand a particular subject. They search for causes and patterns to create a connection between different kinds of information. Many times, these connections are not obvious to people to learn differently, but they make perfect sense to logical learners.

Logical learners generally do well with facts, statistics, sequential lists, and problem-solving tasks to mention a few.

As a teacher, you can engage logical learners by asking open-ended or obscure questions that require them to apply their own interpretation. You should also use teaching material that helps them hone their problem-solving skills and encourages them to form conclusions based on facts and critical thinking.

Social/interpersonal learners

Social or interpersonal learners love socializing with others and working in groups so they learn best during lessons that require them to interact with their peers . Think study groups, peer discussions, and class quizzes.

To effectively teach interpersonal learners, you’ll need to make teamwork a core part of your lessons. Encourage student interaction by asking questions and sharing stories. You can also incorporate group activities and role-playing into your lessons, and divide the students into study groups.

Solitary/intrapersonal learners

Solitary learning is the opposite of social learning. Solitary, or solo, learners prefer to study alone without interacting with other people. These learners are quite good at motivating themselves and doing individual work. In contrast, they generally don’t do well with teamwork or group discussions.

To help students like this, you should encourage activities that require individual work, such as journaling, which allows them to reflect on themselves and improve their skills. You should also acknowledge your students’ individual accomplishments and help them refine their problem-solving skills.

Are there any unique intelligence types commonly shared by your students? Adapting to these different types of intelligence can help you can design a course best suited to help your students succeed.

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How to help students understand their different types of learning styles

Unless you’re teaching preschoolers, most students probably already realize the type of learning style that fits them best. But some students do get it wrong.

The key here is to observe every student carefully and plan your content for different learning styles right from the start.

Another idea is to implement as much individual learning as you can and then customize that learning for each student. So you can have visual auditory activities, riddles for logical learners, games for kinesthetic learners, reading activities, writing tasks, drawing challenges, and more.

When you’re creating your first course online, it’s important to dedicate enough time to planning out its structure. Don’t just think that a successful course consists of five uploaded videos.

Think about how you present the new knowledge. Where it makes sense to pause and give students the time to reflect. Where to include activities to review the new material. Adapting to the different learning types that people exhibit can help you design an online course best suited to help your students succeed.

That being said, here are some tips to help you tailor your course to each learning style, or at least create enough balance.

Visual learners

Since visual learners like to see or observe images, diagrams, demonstrations, etc., to understand a topic, here’s how you can create a course for them:

Include graphics, cartoons, or illustrations of concepts
Use flashcards to review course material
Use flow charts or maps to organize materials
Highlight and color code notes to organize materials
Use color-coded tables to compare and contrast elements
Use a whiteboard to explain important information
Have students play around with different font styles and sizes to improve readability

Auditory learners prefer to absorb information by listening to spoken words, so they do well when teachers give spoken instructions and lessons. Here’s how to cater to this learning type through your online course:

Converse with your students about the subject or topic
Ask your students questions after each lesson and have them answer you (through the spoken word)
Have them record lectures and review them with you
Have articles, essays, and comprehension passages out to them
As you teach, explain your methods, questions, and answers
Ask for oral summaries of the course material
If you teach math or any other math-related course, use a talking calculator
Create an audio file that your students can listen to
Create a video of you teaching your lesson to your student
Include a YouTube video or podcast episode for your students to listen to
Organize a live Q & A session where students can talk to you and other learners to help them better understand the subject

Reading and writing (or verbal) learners

This one is pretty straightforward. Verbal learners learn best when they read or write (or both), so here are some practical ways to include that in your online course:

Have your students write summaries about the lesson
If you teach language or literature, assign them stories and essays that they’d have to read out loud to understand
If your course is video-based, add transcripts to aid your students’ learning process
Make lists of important parts of your lesson to help your students memorize them
Provide downloadable notes and checklists that your students can review after they’ve finished each chapter of your course
Encourage extra reading by including links to a post on your blog or another website in the course
Use some type of body movement or rhythm, such as snapping your fingers, mouthing, or pacing, while reciting the material your students should learn

Since kinesthetic learners like to experience hands-on what they learn with their senses — holding, touching, hearing, and doing. So instead of churning out instructions and expecting to follow, do these instead:

Encourage them to experiment with textured paper, and different sizes of pencils, pens, and crayons to jot down information
If you teach diction or language, give them words that they should incorporate into their daily conversations with other people
Encourage students to dramatize or act out lesson concepts to understand them better

Logical learners are great at recognizing patterns, analyzing information, and solving problems. So in your online course, you need to structure your lessons to help them hone these abilities. Here are some things you can do:

Come up with tasks that require them to solve problems. This is easy if you teach math or a math-related course
Create charts and graphs that your students need to interpret to fully grasp the lesson
Ask open-ended questions that require critical thinking
Create a mystery for your students to solve with clues that require logical thinking or math
Pose an issue/topic to your students and ask them to address it from multiple perspectives

Since social learners prefer to discuss or interact with others, you should set up your course to include group activities. Here’s how you can do that:

Encourage them to discuss the course concept with their classmates
Get your students involved in forum discussions
Create a platform (via Slack, Discord, etc.) for group discussions
Pair two or more social students to teach each other the course material
If you’re offering a cohort-based course , you can encourage students to make their own presentations and explain them to the rest of the class

Solitary learners prefer to learn alone. So when designing your course, you need to take that into consideration and provide these learners a means to work by themselves. Here are some things you can try:

Encourage them to do assignments by themselves
Break down big projects into smaller ones to help them manage time efficiently
Give them activities that require them to do research on their own
When they’re faced with problems regarding the topic, let them try to work around it on their own. But let them know that they are welcome to ask you for help if they need to
Encourage them to speak up when you ask them questions as it builds their communication skills
Explore blended learning , if possible, by combining teacher-led classes with self-guided assignments and extra ideas that students can explore on their own.

Now that you’re ready to teach something to everyone, you might be wondering what you actually need to do to create your online courses. Well, start with a platform.

Thinkific is an intuitive and easy-to-use platform any instructor can use to create online courses that would resonate with all types of learning styles. Include videos, audio, presentations, quizzes, and assignments in your curriculum. Guide courses in real-time or pre-record information in advance. It’s your choice.

In addition, creating a course on Thinkific doesn’t require you to know any programming. You can use a professionally designed template and customize it with a drag-and-drop editor to get exactly the course you want in just a few hours. Try it yourself to see how easy it can be.

This blog was originally published in August 2017, it has since been updated in March 2023.

Althea Storm is a B2B SaaS writer who specializes in creating data-driven content that drives traffic and increases conversions for businesses. She has worked with top companies like AdEspresso, HubSpot, Aura, and Thinkific. When she's not writing web content, she's curled up in a chair reading a crime thriller or solving a Rubik's cube.

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Learning Styles Essay

Education is important. Learning is important. But what’s the best way to learn? That’s where learning styles come in.

There are three main learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. And each person tends to have a preferred learning style. Some people may even use a combination of all three learning styles.

Visual learners prefer to learn by seeing information. This could mean reading texts or watching videos. Auditory learners prefer to learn by hearing information. This could mean listening to lectures or taking part in conversations. Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn by doing things. This could mean participating in hands-on activities or simulations.

It might be difficult to learn for some. If you don’t understand how you learn and absorb information, that may be the case. Fortunately, contemporary educators are becoming more aware of their students’ learning styles and are able to adapt to meet them.

In this learning styles essay, we’ll look at the definition of learning styles and how educators can use them to benefit their students.

Most people learn using a combination of all three methods, but everyone has a preference for one particular style. The VARK model is a widely used way of determining an individual’s preferred learning style. This model identifies four main types of learners:

– Visual (V): These learners prefer to learn through seeing information, whether that be in the form of pictures, diagrams, or other visual aids.

– Auditory (A): Auditory learners take in information best when they can hear it. They often benefit from listening to lectures or recordings, or engaging in discussions.

– Reading/Writing (R): These learners prefer to learn through reading and writing. They often take extensive notes and like to have information in a written format.

– Kinesthetic (K): Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn through hands-on experience. They often benefit from activities, experiments, or other forms of active learning.

It’s important to note that everyone has a preferred learning style, but that doesn’t mean that other styles are ineffective for them. In fact, many people learn best when they combine all three methods. However, by understanding your preferred learning style, you can tailor your education to fit your needs and maximize your learning potential.

Some people may not be aware of their learning style category, and there are online surveys that can reveal their learning style strengths. I just took one myself, and my results are as follows; Visual: 7 Aural: 9 Read/Write: 4 Kinesthetic: 9. This basically implies that I am a good listener and hands-on learner. The survey also offered me with some educational options to help me improve my knowledge.

I now know that I should avoid long lectures, try to study in short spurts and take time for breaks, make use of post-it notes, and highlight key points. I also should focus on the main ideas and make connections to better understand the material. Breaking down the information and organizing it will help me process and learn the information quicker (Dunn & Dunn, 1993).

Take notes and record are my first methods of studying in class. In class, I frequently write down anything of key interest to the lectures. It may be beneficial when I can’t remember something. Take notes might help me improve my listening and writing abilities since I have to type and listen at the same time. Because we wrote it down, it will take longer for us to memorize it since we remembered it once and then read it again when we studied it.

I also use study groups as a method to study. It is more beneficial when it comes to studying for exams or understanding assignments. In a study group, we would discuss the concepts and try to explain it to each other in our own words. This helped me understand the material better since I had to explain it in simpler terms. It also helped me catch up on anything I missed in class. Study groups are a great way to improve your communication skills and socialize with others who are in your classes.

My last method of studying is by myself at home or in the library. I usually read over my notes and try to memorize them as best as I can. I also like to make flashcards to help me remember key terms or definitions. This method is more beneficial for me when I have to memorize a lot of information for exams. It is also good for when I want to focus on one particular subject.

I think that each learning style has its own benefits and drawbacks. It is important to find the right mix of methods that work best for you. Personally, I like to use a combination of all three methods depending on the situation.

Then there’s the subject of your record; I believe it’s accurate to say that we had a discussion, but then again – maybe not. Obviously, if you’re recording in class, this takes away the advantage of being able to eavesdrop on other students’ conversations. The fact that you may listen to them at any time, even while sleeping, is another feature I appreciate about them.

There are different ways of learning and people have their own preferences on how they want to learn new information. Some people learn better by listening to audio recordings, others prefer reading texts, and others prefer seeing visuals. This is what is known as learning styles.

Different learning styles require different approaches in order for the information to be effectively absorbed. For example, someone who prefers visual learning might benefit from using things like flashcards or diagrams when trying to memorize new information. Someone who prefers auditory learning might find it helpful to listen to audio recordings or have someone read aloud to them. And someone who prefers kinesthetic learning might find it helpful to physically write out information or act out scenarios.

It’s important to note that everyone has a preference for one particular learning style, but that doesn’t mean that other styles can’t be effective. It’s also important to keep in mind that different situations might call for different learning styles. For example, you might prefer visual learning when you’re trying to memorize new vocabulary words, but auditory learning might be more effective when you’re trying to understand a new concept in math.

The most important thing is to experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you. There is no “right” way to learn, so don’t be afraid to mix things up and try something new!

Remember, there’s no such thing as a superior learning style; each has benefits and drawbacks depending on your goals. And I just gave you some pointers in my own words to assist you. You may develop your own style to make studying easier and more enjoyable by adapting what you want to learn to your learning style.

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4 Types of Learning Styles: How to Accommodate a Diverse Group of Students

By Callie Malvik on 08/17/2020

We all experience the world in unique ways, and with that comes variation in the ways we learn best. Understanding these different types of learning styles can drastically impact the way teachers handle their students, set up group projects and adapt individual learning. Without understanding and acknowledging these different ways of learning, teachers might end up with a handful of students lagging behind their classmates—in part because their unique learning style hasn’t been activated.

Split panel image of four young students representing different learning styles.

Part of your responsibility as an educator is to adjust your lessons to the unique group of students you are working with at any given time. The best teachers can cater to each student’s strengths, ensuring they are truly grasping the information.

So how do you meet the needs of different types of learners in your class? Join us as we outline the four types of learning styles and how teachers can practically apply this information in their classrooms.

Ways of learning: A closer look at 4 learning styles

Learning styles and preferences take on a variety of forms—and not all people fit neatly into one category. But generally speaking, these are the most common types of learners:

1. Visual learners

How to recognize visual learners in your class: Someone with a preference for visual learning is partial to seeing and observing things, including pictures, diagrams, written directions and more. This is also referred to as the “spatial” learning style. Students who learn through sight understand information better when it’s presented in a visual way. These are your doodling students, your list makers and your students who take notes.

How to cater to visual learners: The whiteboard or smartboard is your best friend when teaching these types of learners. Give students opportunities to draw pictures and diagrams on the board, or ask students to doodle examples based on the topic they’re learning. Teachers catering to visual learners should regularly make handouts and use presentations. Visual learners may also need more time to process material, as they observe the visual cues before them. So be sure to give students a little time and space to absorb the information.

2. Auditory learners

How to recognize auditory learners in your class: Auditory learners tend to learn better when the subject matter is reinforced by sound. These students would much rather listen to a lecture than read written notes, and they often use their own voices to reinforce new concepts and ideas. These types of learners prefer reading out loud to themselves. They aren’t afraid to speak up in class and are great at verbally explaining things. Additionally, they may be slower at reading and may often repeat things a teacher tells them.

How to cater to auditory learners: Since these students generally find it hard to stay quiet for long periods of time, get your auditory learners involved in the lecture by asking them to repeat new concepts back to you. Ask questions and let them answer. Invoke group discussions so your auditory and verbal processors can properly take in and understand the information they’re being presented with. Watching videos and using music or audiotapes are also helpful ways of learning for this group.

3. Kinesthetic learners

How to recognize kinesthetic learners in your class: Kinesthetic learners, sometimes called tactile learners, learn through experiencing or doing things. They like to get involved by acting out events or using their hands to touch and handle in order to understand concepts. These types of learners might struggle to sit still and often excel at sports or like to dance. They may need to take more frequent breaks when studying.

How to cater to kinesthetic learners: The best way teachers can help these students learn is by getting them moving. Instruct students to act out a certain scene from a book or a lesson you’re teaching. Also try encouraging these students by incorporating movement into lessons: pacing to help memorize, learning games that involve moving around the classroom or having students write on the whiteboard as part of an activity.

Once kinesthetic learners can physically sense what they’re studying, abstract ideas and difficult concepts become easier to understand.

4. Reading/writing learners

How to recognize reading/writing learners in your class: According to the VARK Modalities theory developed by Fleming and Mills in 1992, reading/writing learners prefer to learn through written words. While there is some overlap with visual learning, these types of learners are drawn to expression through writing, reading articles or books, writing in diaries, looking up words in the dictionary and searching the internet for just about everything.

How to cater to reading/writing learners: Of the four learning styles, this is probably the easiest to cater to since much of the traditional educational system tends to center on writing essays, doing research and reading books. Be mindful about allowing plenty of time for these students to absorb information through the written word, and give them opportunities to get their ideas out on paper as well.

Embrace all types of learning

Understanding these different learning styles doesn’t end in the classroom. By equipping students with tools in their early years, teachers are empowering them for their futures. Pinpointing how a child learns best can dramatically affect their ability to connect with the topics you’re teaching, as well as how they participate with the rest of the class. Moreover, the role of parents in a child's education is crucial. Positive parental involvement in education can further enhance a child's learning experience, fostering academic success and overall development. Explore our article on " Positive Parental Involvement in Education " to discover effective strategies and insights on how parents can actively engage in their child's educational journey.

Now that you have some tactics in your back pocket to accommodate different ways of learning, you may be curious about classroom management strategies. Learn more in our article, " Proven Classroom Management Tips for Preschool Teachers ." Additionally, check out " What is Ableism? Teachers Share 8 Things They Wish the World Understood ."

What Is Inclusive Education? An Introduction for Early Childhood Educators

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2018. It has since been updated to include information relevant to 2020.

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7 types of learning styles and how you can to teach them

We all absorb and retain information in different ways. Some people learn faster and more efficiently when content includes visuals like charts, photos, or videos. Others prefer to read and write to retain information. Course creators that know the different types of learning styles can use them to improve student experiences and outcomes. If you know your students and the ways they learn, you can adapt your teaching styles to suit them better.

Creating courses with learning and teaching styles in mind will set you and your students up for success. We’ll go over each learning method and how to identify them. Plus, we’ll provide examples and tips on how to create courses, coaching, and other educational products for each learning style.

What are learning styles?

Learning styles are the methods that people use to understand and remember information. By identifying your students’ learning styles, you can create course materials that suit their preferences.

There is some debate over how many types of learning exist. Most agree that there are four to seven learning styles. We’ll go over each in detail below.

It’s also important to note that one person can have multiple styles. These are known as multimodal learners. They retain information and may thrive using more than one learning style.

The seven types of learning

New Zealand educator Neil Fleming developed the VARK model in 1987. It’s one of the most common methods to identify learning styles. Fleming proposed four primary learning preferences—visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. The first letter of each spells out the acronym (VARK).

We’ll go over the VARK learning styles and three others that researchers and educators have identified below.

1. Visual learning

When you create a course curriculum , consider how many and what type of visuals to include. A 2019 study claims that around 65% of people are visual learners . In other words, visual learners make up the majority of the population. You’ll likely have several in your courses, so keep that in mind when creating materials for it.

To learn best, visual learners need graphs, illustrations, diagrams, videos, and other visuals. You can also teach visual learners better by incorporating these into your lessons.

Infographics
Illustrations
Photographs
Flashcards with images
Virtual whiteboards

Using all of these visuals at once will overwhelm your students. Instead, identify opportunities to display information as a visual and choose the best method for it.

Video courses are the best way to help visual learners. If you’re new to recording videos, you can take a course or watch a tutorial on making high-quality videos for your courses. You can also design and voiceover slideshows.

Visual learners also read and write like other students but may add images to notes, highlight sentences, or draw graphs. It can be helpful to provide them with downloadable versions of course materials so that they can take notes. If you use Teachable, you can easily add digital downloads to your website and courses.

Teachable creator Lauren Hom’s lettering course combines visual and other types of learning styles. Course lessons include videos, live drawing practice, and printable workbooks.

2. Auditory learning

In the same study, researchers found that around 30% of people are auditory learners. Auditory learners like to listen to absorb information. Auditory learners may listen to lectures, podcasts, music, and videos.

They also tend to read their notes aloud to help them understand and retain information or listen to music to study.

You can cater to auditory learners by:

Using music and songs to remember information
Providing audio versions of notes
Encouraging discussions of learning materials

In addition to adjusting your teaching methods to different types of learners, you should also consider the subject.

For example, if you teach guitar online , it will naturally have an audio element. However, you may combine the sounds of different guitar strings with images and videos of them. When you combine different teaching methods, you can cater to multiple learning styles.

3. Reading and writing

Learners who prefer reading and writing thrive with traditional textbooks, handouts, and written assignments. Reading and writing learners are similar to visual learners because they like to see the information on a page.

To teach reading and writing learners, try to present information in one of these forms:

Written instructions
Written assignments

You could also consider creating an ebook to supplement your course material. So if you have a video course, add transcripts to your lessons so students can read along and take notes.

4. Kinesthetic

The kinesthetic learning style is learning by doing. And people who are kinesthetic learners learn better when they’re physically moving and getting hands-on experience.

Kinesthetic learners prefer playing games or doing puzzles as part of the learning process. They tend to enjoy problem-solving and trying new activities to build skills.

Many people associate kinesthetic learning with physical activities and in-person learning environments. However, you can still cater to kinesthetic learners when you create an online course .

For example, many developer courses include coding challenges, hackathons, and other activities where students learn by doing.

Here are some ideas to help you teach kinesthetic learners:

Schedule short breaks for live courses longer than 30 minutes.
Add real-life assignments. For example, a course about plants may add a practical element where students transplant and care for a houseplant.
Create project briefs based on real-life scenarios, so students can practice.
Add physical activity. Some online courses—meditation, yoga, and fitness—will naturally be more interactive.

If you want to add a more physical element, you can also include printables and supplies. Another option is to send materials to students in the mail.

There are many ways to teach kinesthetic learners. One example is the Hands-on Kids Activities Club (HOKA), a membership club for teachers. Every month, teachers get downloadable printables and other resources to create hands-on learning experiences. In one bundle, students learn about an artist and do an art project in that artist’s style.

5. Verbal or linguistic learning

Verbal learners or linguistic learners retain information best by hearing and envisioning words. You may also hear this called verbal-linguistic learning. Similar to an auditory learner, a verbal learner speaks aloud to memorize information better. They tend to be avid readers and may be talented storytellers or poets.

Any of these can help a verbal learner:

Presentations
Flashcards with words
Word games and puzzles

This type of learning is also common in language courses. If you teach students how to speak Spanish, English, French, or another language, verbal learning will come in handy. They’ll want to hear how you pronounce words and practice speaking them on their own.

6. Social or interpersonal learning

Some students learn better alone and others learn better while in groups. Social, also called interpersonal, learners thrive in group discussions and group coaching.

They enjoy speaking in front of groups and asking questions. A social learner will like to give and receive feedback from other students and bounce ideas off others.

Interpersonal learners prefer these types of activities:

Group discussions and activities
Public speaking—presenting their work
Working with a partner
Studying flashcards with a partner
Team-building exercises

7. Solitary or intrapersonal learning

Solitary learners prefer to learn on their own rather than with groups of peers. The word intrapersonal is similar to introvert—they can feel drained from social activities.

These students don’t enjoy group work and would rather get a list of items to study and work independently. Instead of getting ideas and feedback from other students, solitary learners are more introspective. They can get lost in their work and are more hesitant to ask for feedback or ideas from others.

Here are some ideas to help teach solitary learners:

Ask questions to build trust and learn more about them.
Give them space to work independently.
Explain the why behind projects. Solitary learners focus on the future and outcomes, so they like to know the importance of learning different concepts.

Solitary learners are self-starters, so they usually have the determination to complete a course. Even though they prefer learning independently, learning from others has many benefits too.

Sometimes getting a solitary learner to open up more, ask for feedback, and challenge themselves can improve their learning. You could also offer solitary learners coaching or feedback sessions with you to help them develop their learning in a one-on-one environment.

How to identify student learning styles

Most adults have a sense of their preferred learning style. You can ask students or coaching clients which methods they prefer via an intake form when they sign up for your courses or coaching.

To identify learning styles, you can:

Include an intake form on your sign-up pages
Ask new students about their preferred learning styles directly
Observe your students throughout the course
Use assessments to help students figure out the learning style they like best

You can also use an online quiz like the VARK questionnaire to understand new students better. Another option is to create your own assessment and tailor it to your teaching style and course topic. Some sample questions you can use to create a quiz or questionnaire to identify learning styles are:

Do you prefer to work alone or in groups?
Would diagrams and illustrations make it easier to understand a concept?
Is it easier to remember something in words or images?
To understand how a machine works, would you take the machine apart yourself?
Do you remember facts and figures more by hearing them spoken or reading them?

Let students know this is the kind of quiz with no wrong answer. You’ll use the answers to understand what type of learning style they prefer and tailor your teaching to better suit them.

Note that this type of questionnaire works best with coaching or online courses that use cohorts with specific start dates. You can use it to fine-tune your course curriculum for each cohort or personalize coaching sessions.

How to teach different types of learning

As you plan your course, think about how you can accommodate each learning style. For example, auditory learners usually thrive on discussion. On the other hand, learners who prefer to read and write might struggle with group discussions or debates. Discussions can be harder for them because they like to write their thoughts down first before speaking.

To accommodate different types of learning styles, provide several options. In the example above, you could give your students a discussion prompt ahead of time. Reading and writing learners can write talking points down before and auditory learners get the benefits of learning through discussion.

The ui.dev online courses are perfect examples of how to consider different types of learning. Looking at their React coding course, you can see that they provide lessons in two forms—video and text. This way visual, auditory, and reading and writing learners can refer to the materials that they understand best. It also includes kinesthetic learning with practice coding activities and projects where students build real-world applications.

Share your knowledge online

No two students are exactly alike—a learning style that works for some students might not work for others. You can still offer your students or clients a meaningful learning experience.

Identifying how your students learn best helps you teach them in ways that will be the most successful. It also shows them that you care about their learning experience and outcomes. So by considering all the different learning styles, you’ll create an online course that appeals to a larger pool of people.

If you’re ready to share your knowledge with all types of learning styles, you can easily create a course on Teachable . And then you can create online courses, coaching services, and even digital downloads. To get started, sign up for free or choose from one of the paid plans .

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Learning Styles — Learning Style Learning Styles and Strategies

Learning Style Learning Styles and Strategies

Categories: Learning Styles

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Introduction, understanding learning styles, impact of learning styles on academic performance, implications for educators.

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Learning Styles: A Review of Theory, Application, and Best Practices

Much pedagogical research has focused on the concept of “learning styles.” Several authors have proposed that the ability to typify student learning styles can augment the educational experience. As such, instructors might tailor their teaching style so that it is more congruent with a given student's or class of students' learning style. Others have argued that a learning/teaching style mismatch encourages and challenges students to expand their academic capabilities. Best practice might involve offering courses that employ a variety of teaching styles. Several scales are available for the standardization of learning styles. These scales employ a variety of learning style descriptors and are sometimes criticized as being measures of personality rather than learning style. Learning styles may become an increasingly relevant pedagogic concept as classes increase in size and diversity. This review will describe various learning style instruments as well as their potential use and limitations. Also discussed is the use of learning style theory in various concentrations including pharmacy.

INTRODUCTION

The diversity of students engaged in higher education continues to expand. Students come to colleges with varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, from a multitude of training programs and institutions, and with differing learning styles. 1 Coupled with this increase in diversification has been a growth in distance education programs and expansions in the types of instructional media used to deliver information. 2 , 3 These changes and advances in technology have led many educators to reconsider traditional, uniform instruction methods and stress the importance of considering student learning styles in the design and delivery of course content. 4 - 5 Mismatches between an instructor's style of teaching and a student's method of learning have been cited as potential learning obstacles within the classroom and as a reason for using a variety of teaching modalities to deliver instruction. 6 - 8 The concept of using a menu of teaching modalities is based on the premise that at least some content will be presented in a manner suited to every type of learner within a given classroom or course. Some research has focused on profiling learning types so that instructors have a better understanding of the cohort of students they are educating. 7 - 8 This information can be used to guide the selection of instruction modalities employed in the classroom. Limited research has also focused on describing and characterizing composite learning styles and patterns for students in various concentrations of study (eg, medicine, engineering). 5 , 6 , 9 This review will describe the potential utility and limitations in assessing learning styles.

LEARNING STYLES

A benchmark definition of “learning styles” is “characteristic cognitive, effective, and psychosocial behaviors that serve as relatively stable indicators of how learners perceive, interact with, and respond to the learning environment. 10 Learning styles are considered by many to be one factor of success in higher education. Confounding research and, in many instances, application of learning style theory has begat the myriad of methods used to categorize learning styles. No single commonly accepted method currently exists, but alternatively several potential scales and classifications are in use. Most of these scales and classifications are more similar than dissimilar and focus on environmental preferences, sensory modalities, personality types, and/or cognitive styles. 11 Lack of a conceptual framework for both learning style theory and measurement is a common and central criticism in this area. In 2004 the United Kingdom Learning and Skills Research Center commissioned a report intended to systematically examine existing learning style models and instruments. In the commission report, Coffield et al identified several inconsistencies in learning style models and instruments and cautioned educators with regards to their use. 12 The authors also outlined a suggested research agenda for this area.

Alternatively, many researchers have argued that knowledge of learning styles can be of use to both educators and students. Faculty members with knowledge of learning styles can tailor pedagogy so that it best coincides with learning styles exhibited by the majority of students. 4 Alternatively, students with knowledge of their own preferences are empowered to use various techniques to enhance learning, which in turn may impact overall educational satisfaction. This ability is particularly critical and useful when an instructor's teaching style does not match a student's learning style. Compounding the issue of learning styles in the classroom has been the movement in many collegiate environments to distance and/or asynchronous education. 2 , 3 This shift in educational modality is inconsistent with the learning models with which most older students and adult learners are accustomed from their primary and high school education. 3 , 13 , 14 Alternatively, environmental influences and more widespread availability of technological advances (eg, personal digital assistants, digital video, the World Wide Web, wireless Internet) may make younger generations of students more comfortable with distance learning. 15 - 17

LEARNING STYLES INSTRUMENTS

As previously stated, several models and measures of learning styles have been described in the literature. Kolb proposed a model involving a 4-stage cyclic structure that begins with a concrete experience, which lends to a reflective observation and subsequently an abstract conceptualization that allows for active experimentation. 18 Kolb's model is associated with the Learning Style Inventory instrument (LSI). The LSI focuses on learner's preferences in terms of concrete versus abstract, and action versus reflection. Learners are subsequently described as divergers, convergers, assimilators, or accommodators.

Honey and Mumford developed an alternative instrument known as the Learning Style Questionnaire (LSQ). 6 Presumably, the LSQ has improved validity and predictive accuracy compared to the LSI. The LSQ describes 4 distinct types of learners: activists (learn primarily by experience), reflectors (learn from reflective observation), theorists (learn from exploring associations and interrelationships), and pragmatics (learn from doing or trying things with practical outcomes). The LSQ has been more widely used and studied in management and business settings and its applicability to academia has been questioned. 6 An alternative to the LSQ, the Canfield Learning Style Inventory (CLSI) describes learning styles along 4 dimensions. 19 These dimensions include conditions for learning, area of interest, mode of learning, and conditions for performance. Analogous to the LSQ, applicability of the CLSI to academic settings has been questioned. Additionally, some confusion surrounding scoring and interpretation of certain result values also exists.

Felder and Silverman introduced a learning style assessment instrument that was specifically designed for classroom use and was first applied in the context of engineering education. 20 The instrument consists of 44 short items with a choice between 2 responses to each sentence. Learners are categorized in 4 dichotomous areas: preference in terms of type and mode of information perception (sensory or intuitive; visual or verbal), approaches to organizing and processing information (active or reflective), and the rate at which students progress towards understanding (sequential or global). The instrument associated with the model is known as the Index of Learning Survey (ILS). 21 The ILS is based on a 44-item questionnaire and outputs a preference profile for a student or an entire class. The preference profile is based on the 4 previously defined learning dimensions. The ILS has several advantages over other instruments including conciseness and ease of administration (in both a written and computerized format). 20 , 21 No published data exist with regards to the use of the ILS in populations of pharmacy students or pharmacists. Cook described a study designed to examine the reliability of the ILS for determining learning styles among a population of internal medicine residents. 20 The researchers administered the ILS twice and the Learning Style Type Indicator (LSTI) once to 138 residents (86 men, 52 women). The LSTI has been previously compared to the ILS by several investigators. 8 , 19 Cook found that the Cronbach's alpha scores for the ILS and LSTI ranged from 0.19 to 0.69. They preliminarily concluded that the ILS scores were reliable and valid among this cohort of residents, particularly within the active-reflective and sensing-intuitive domains. In a separate study, Cook et al attempted to evaluate convergence and discrimination among the ILS, LSI, and another computer-based instrument known as the Cognitive Styles Analysis (CSA). 11 The cohort studied consisted of family medicine and internal medicine residents as well as first- and third-year medical students. Eighty-nine participants completed all 3 instruments, and responses were analyzed using calculated Pearson's r and Cronbach's α. The authors found that the ILS active-reflective and sensing-intuitive scores as well as the LSI active-reflective scores were valid in determining learning styles. However, the ILS sequential-global domain failed to correlate well with other instruments and may be flawed, at least in this given population. The authors advised the use of caution when interpreting scores without a strong knowledge of construct definitions and empirical evidence.

Several other instruments designed to measure personality indexes or psychological types may overlap and describe learning styles in nonspecific fashions. One example of such an indicator is the Myers-Briggs Index. 6 While some relation between personality indexes and learning styles may exist, the use of instruments intended to describe personality to characterize learning style has been criticized by several authors. Therefore, the use of these markers to measure learning styles is not recommended. 6 The concept of emotional intelligence is another popular way to characterize intellect and learning capacity but similarly should not be misconstrued as an effective means of describing learning styles. 23

Several authors have proposed correlations between culture and learning styles. 6 , 24 This is predicated on the concept that culture influences environmental perceptions which, in turn, to some degree determine the way in which information is processed and organized. The storage, processing, and assimilation methods for information contribute to how new knowledge is learned. Culture also plays a role in conditioning and reinforcing learning styles and partially explains why teaching methods used in certain parts of the world may be ineffective or less effective when blindly transplanted to another locale. 6 , 24 Teachers should be aware of this phenomenon and the influence it has on the variety of learning styles that are present in classrooms. This is especially true in classrooms that have a large contingency of international students. Such classrooms are becoming increasingly common as more and more schools expand their internationalization efforts. 25

The technological age may also be influencing the learning styles of younger students and emerging generations of learners. The Millennial Generation has been described as more technologically advanced than their Generation X counterparts, with higher expectations for the use of computer-aided media in the classroom. 15 , 16 , 26 Younger students are accustomed to enhanced visual images associated with various computer- and television-based games and game systems. 16 , 26 Additionally, video technology is increasingly becoming “transportable” in the way of mobile computing, MP3 devices, personal digital video players, and other technologies. 26 All of these advances have made visual images more pervasive and common within industrialized nations.

APPLYING LEARNING STYLES TO THE CLASSROOM

As class sizes increase, so do the types and numbers of student learning styles. Also, as previously mentioned, internationalization and changes in the media culture may affect the spectrum of classroom learning styles as well. 24 , 25 Given the variability in learning styles that may exist in a classroom, some authors suggested that students should adapt their learning styles to coincide with a given instruction style. 6 , 27 This allows instructors to dictate the methods used to instruct in the classroom. This approach also allows instructors to “teach from their strengths,” with little consideration to other external factors such as learning style of students. While convenient, this unilateral approach has been criticized for placing all of the responsibility for aligning teaching and learning on the student. When the majority of information is presented in formats that are misaligned with learning styles, students may spend more time manipulating material than they do in comprehending and applying the information. Additionally, a unilaterally designed classroom may reinforce a “do nothing” approach among faculty members. 6 Alternatively, a teaching style-learning style mismatch might challenge students to adjust, grow intellectually, and learn in more integrated ways. However, it may be difficult to predict which students have the baseline capacity to adjust, particularly when significant gaps in knowledge of a given subject already exist or when the learner is a novice to the topic being instructed. 6 , 27 This might be especially challenging within professional curricula where course load expectations are significant.

Best practice most likely involves a teaching paradigm which addresses and accommodates multiple dimensions of learning styles that build self-efficacy. 27 Instructing in a way that encompasses multiple learning styles gives the teacher an opportunity to reach a greater extent of a given class, while also challenging students to expand their range of learning styles and aptitudes at a slower pace. This may avoid lost learning opportunities and circumvent unnecessary frustration from both the teacher and student. For many instructors, multi-style teaching is their inherent approach to learning, while other instructors more commonly employ unilateral styles. Learning might be better facilitated if instructors were cognizant of both their teaching styles and the learning styles of their students. An understanding and appreciation of a given individual's teaching style requires self-reflection and introspection and should be a component of a well-maintained teaching portfolio. Major changes or modifications to teaching styles might not be necessary in order to effectively create a classroom atmosphere that addresses multiple learning styles or targets individual ones. However, faculty members should be cautious to not over ambitiously, arbitrarily, or frivolously design courses and activities with an array of teaching modalities that are not carefully connected, orchestrated, and delivered.

Novice learners will likely be more successful when classrooms, either by design or by chance, are tailored to their learning style. However, the ultimate goal is to instill within students the skills to recognize and react to various styles so that learning is maximized no matter what the environment. 28 This is an essential skill for an independent learner and for students in any career path.

Particular consideration of learning styles might be given to asynchronous courses and other courses where a significant portion of time is spent online. 29 As technology advances and classroom sizes in many institutions become increasingly large, asynchronous instruction is becoming more pervasive. In many instances, students who have grown accustomed to technological advances may prefer asynchronous courses. Online platforms may inherently affect learning on a single dimension (visual or auditory). Most researchers who have compared the learning styles of students enrolled in online versus traditional courses have found no correlations between the learning styles and learning outcomes of cohorts enrolled in either course type. Johnson et al compared learning style profiles to student satisfaction with either online or face-to-face study groups. 30 Forty-eight college students participated in the analysis. Learning styles were measured using the ILS. Students were surveyed with regard to their satisfaction with various study group formats. These results were then correlated to actual performance on course examinations. Active and visual learners demonstrated a significant preference for face-to-face study groups. Alternatively, students who were reflective learners demonstrated a preference for online groups. Likely due to the small sample size, none of these differences achieved statistical significance. The authors suggest that these results are evidence for courses employing hybrid teaching styles that reach as many different students as possible. Cook et al studied 121 internal medicine residents and also found no association (p > 0.05) between ILS-measured learning styles and preferences for learning formats (eg, Web-based versus paper-based learning modules). 31 Scores on assessment questions related to learning modules administered to the residents were also not statistically correlated with learning styles.

Cook et al examined the effectiveness of adapting Web-based learning modules to a given learner's style. 32 The investigators created 2 versions of a Web-based instructional module on complementary and alternative medications. One version of the modules directed the learner to “active” questions that provided learners immediate and comprehensive feedback, while the other version involved “reflective” questions that directed learners back to the case content for answers. Eighty-nine residents were randomly matched or mismatched based on their active-reflective learning styles (as determined by ILS) to either the “active” or “reflective” test version. Posttest scores for either question type among mismatched subjects did not differ significantly ( p = 0.97), suggesting no interaction between learning styles and question types. The authors concluded from this small study that learning styles had no influence on learning outcomes. The study was limited in its lack of assessment of baseline knowledge, motivation, or other characteristics. Also, the difficulty of the assessment may not have been sufficient enough to distinguish a difference and/or “mismatched” learners may have automatically adapted to the information they received regardless of type.

STUDIES OF PHARMACY STUDENTS

There are no published studies that have systematically examined the learning styles of pharmacy students. Pungente et al collected some learning styles data as part of a study designed to evaluate how first-year pharmacy students' learning styles influenced preferences toward different activities associated with problem-based learning (PBL). 33 One hundred sixteen first-year students completed Kolb's LSI. Learning styles were then matched to responses from a survey designed to assess student preferences towards various aspects of PBL. The majority of students were classified by the LSI as being accommodators (36.2%), with a fairly even distribution of styles among remaining students (19.8% assimilators, 22.4% convergers, 21.6% divergers). There was a proportional distribution of learning styles among a convenience sample of pharmacy students. Divergers were the least satisfied with the PBL method of instruction, while convergers demonstrated the strongest preference for this method of learning. The investigators proposed that the next step might be to correlate learning styles and PBL preferences with actual academic success.

Limited research correlating learning styles to learning outcomes has hampered the application of learning style theory to actual classroom settings. Complicating research is the plethora of different learning style measurement instruments available. Despite these obstacles, efforts to better define and utilize learning style theory is an area of growing research. A better knowledge and understanding of learning styles may become increasingly critical as classroom sizes increase and as technological advances continue to mold the types of students entering higher education. While research in this area continues to grow, faculty members should make concentrated efforts to teach in a multi-style fashion that both reaches the greatest extent of students in a given class and challenges all students to grow as learners.

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Learning Styles, Essay Example

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When I ask people why they chose to attend college, better career prospects is often the major reason given by more respondents. The prospects of better career opportunities also influenced my decision to attend college but for me, it was only one of several reasons. Another major reason I chose to attend college was to learn more about the real world through interactions with people from diverse cultural, economic, and social backgrounds. I have been inquisitive for as long as I remember and I not only enjoy meeting new people but also enjoy observing them and developing hypothesis as to why the world is the way it is. In addition, I read on a wide variety of subject matters in order to expand my thinking horizon. I also realize that people have different learning styles and modern education system should accommodate these distinct learning styles to enhance the overall academic experiences of the students. Fortunately, technology has also made it possible now to accommodate different learning styles inexpensively. Knowing one’s learning style is important because it helps individuals adopt more effective learning strategies in both private and professional aspects of life. This is why this paper touches upon the learning style assessments I took. Not surprisingly, the results of learning styles assessments I undertook confirm the fact that I am generally more interested in the big picture rather than every single detail and visual elements help enhance the learning process for me.

The first learning style test I took was hosted by Penn State University on its website (Penn State, 2010). The outcome of the test revealed me as a visual learner and recommended that even though I should study all course materials, I would greatly benefit from the use of charts, maps, filmstrips, notes and flashcards. The assessment test also recommends practicing visualizing words/concepts in my head to better grasp the material. This once again confirms that I enjoy observing the visual world even if I don’t directly interact with the subjects under observation. The second learning style test I took was hosted at North Carolina State University’s website (Felder & Soloman, n.d.). The test measured my learning style on 4 different scales. According to the results, I am more a reflective learner than an active learner which means I need time to reflect upon the material to better grasp it. The test also revealed I am more intuitive than sensing which means I am not strictly interested in hard facts or take systematic approach to solving problems but rather prefer abstract ideas and innovative methods of doing things. The test also confirmed the fact that I am more of a visual learner as opposed to verbal learner which means I prefer visual elements to textual elements. On the last measure involving sequential and global learners, I only slightly gravitated more towards being a global learner. In other words, I get the bigger picture often without connecting the dots and then work my way back to learn about the connections.

I am now convinced of the reliability of the two learning styles test I took because the results have been exactly what I expected. As I mentioned earlier, I enjoy talking to people, engaging in random observations, and reading on a wide range of subject matters. I believe most things are connected to others in some manner and having a knowledge on a wide range of issues helps us better understand the world. I also think I tend to prefer ideas more than minute details and grasp information quite quickly when they are presented in visual format as compared to textual format. Similarly, I prefer studying alone because it gives me opportunity to reflect upon material without unnecessary disturbance from others.

People have different learning styles and it is important to know one’s learning style to maximize learning in both private and professional aspects of life. I have always enjoyed meeting people and reading on a wide range of subject matters to broaden my thinking horizon. In addition, I also enjoy observation processes because they help me develop possible hypothesis as to why the world functions the way it does. The outcomes of my learning styles tests confirm the fact that I prefer ideas to strict details and I learn better through visual elements as compared to textual material.

Felder, R. M., & Soloman, B. A. (n.d.). Index of learning styles. Retrieved from http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

Penn State. (2010). Learning style inventory. Retrieved from http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm

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Discover Your Learning Style – Comprehensive Guide on Different Learning Styles

People differ in the way they absorb, process, and store new information and master new skills. Natural and habitual, this way does not change with teaching methods or learning content. This is known as the Learning Style.

By discovering and better understanding learning styles, one can employ techniques to improve the rate and quality of learning. Even if one has never heard the term “learning style” before, they are likely to have some idea of what their learning style is.

For instance, one may learn better through DIY videos instead of reading manuals or pick up things faster by listening to audiobooks instead of sitting down to read. These preferences point to one’s learning style.

How can learning style help in the classroom?

Students can have a single dominant learning style or a combination of styles, which could also vary based on circumstances. While no learning style (or a mix of them) is right or wrong, knowing one’s style can significantly enhance learning.

Research has shown that a mismatch between learning style and teaching can affect students’ learning and behavior quality in class. Studies have found that good learning depends on the teaching materials used, which must align with students’ learning styles.

In recent years, there has been a big push in education on how teachers can better meet students’ needs. Learning style has proven very effective in achieving this. It helps teachers understand how students absorb information and teach effectively.

One study found that over 90% of teachers believed in the learning style idea.

Often, teachers have a lot on their plates, and adjusting instruction to suit different learning styles can sound overwhelming. However, once they master how to appeal to all learners, life in the classroom becomes much easier.

This guide will help you understand various learning styles and how teachers can use them to alter instructions and help students learn more effectively.

This improves classroom management and makes for happier students. The chatty student who constantly interrupts will finally find a positive place in the classroom. The quiet girl who knows all the answers but never raises her hand will feel confident sharing her knowledge.

How can learning style help parents?

As a parent, knowing your child’s learning style helps you find activities and resources tailored to their specific learning styles. This allows you to better connect with them and provide the support they need, which also improves relationships.

Knowing learning styles is also helpful beyond educational settings. It helps you understand how those around you learn—at work, in families, in relationships, or in other settings.

Theory Of Learning Styles

The study of learning styles began in 1910 , and formal learning style assessment instruments were developed for academics in the 1970s. By the 1980s, the VAK model, which stands for Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic, had gained popularity in the mainstream media.

Thanks to the Internet, VAK became freely available to teachers for assessment by 2000. Later, another dominant style, reading/writing (R), was added to the VAK model, which expanded it to the VARK model.

The VARK model

The VARK learning style model has been adjusted to include four learning modes:

Visual (spacial) learners learn best by seeing
Auditory (aural) learners learn best by hearing
Reading/writing learners learn best by reading and writing
Kinesthetic (physical) learners learn best by moving and doing

A short questionnaire is used to identify what a learner prefers to use when taking in, processing, and outputting information.

VARK helps explain why it can sometimes be frustrating to sit in a classroom and not get what’s being taught. It also explains why some students learn well from one teacher but struggle to learn from another.

As a student, if you have experienced feelings like this, they are more likely to originate from an incompatibility with your learning style.

According to Neil Fleming and David Baume , who developed VARK, teachers should understand how students learn, but it’s even more important that students themselves know how they learn.

By identifying their own learning process, students can identify and test strategies that significantly improve learning efficiency. According to Fleming and Baume,

“VARK above all is designed to be a starting place for a conversation among teachers and learners about learning. It can also be a catalyst for staff development – thinking about strategies for teaching different groups can lead to more, and appropriate, variety of learning and teaching.”

This kind of thinking is known as metacognition , which refers to an awareness and understanding of one’s thought processes and how to regulate them. Discovering your own learning style without engaging in metacognition would be impossible.

Learning styles can also be multimodal —some have one dominant style, while others combine several learning styles.

Various learning theories, in addition to VAK and VARK, have been developed over time . While the labels used in each theory differ, the learning styles they define often overlap.

Memletics is another theory that was created in 2003 by Sean Whiteley . It expands upon the VAK model by introducing seven learning styles:

As shown, Memletics adds four more learning styles (Verbal, Logical, Social, and Solitary) to the three learning styles defined in the VAK model. However, it leaves out “Reading/Writing,” added when VAK expanded to VARK.

Due to the nature of these categories, there can be an overlap in learning styles defined in Memletics. Take two solitary learners, for instance. While both learn best in solitary situations, one may learn using logic, while the other may learn by seeing (Visual).

In a study on learning styles, Aranya Srijongjai noted that according to the Memletics model, everyone has a mix of learning styles, and learning styles are not fixed, so instructors should also accommodate other types of learning styles by providing diverse learning environments.

They should vary activities so that students learn in their preferred style and have a chance to develop other styles. Matching and mismatching learning styles and instructional methods will complement the student’s learning performance and create more flexible learners in the long run.

As Srijongjai suggests, students and teachers should not consider learning styles as boxes into which students can be placed. They are just one small piece of the overall puzzle in a student’s learning process.

No matter what learning style theory appeals to you the most, knowing your style helps make learning easier and more successful. Most learners will have at least one dominant style in the VARK theory.

This guide will offer information and advice to teachers, students, and parents to help them understand why and how people learn the way they do.

For each learning style, we have included suggestions for career choices, which in no way are meant to be limiting, but they can be helpful. If you are a visual learner but feel pulled toward one of the fields listed in the auditory learner section, by all means, pursue your passion.

These suggestions merely show what careers a person with a particular style might gravitate toward and where they are likely to excel with minimal effort.

Understanding your learning style is helpful, but again, you should also be careful not to put yourself in a box and define yourself by your learning style. The key is understanding how you learn and avoiding getting caught up in labels and classifications.

Take what insight you can, but don’t let it overcome your thoughts about yourself, as you may very well lie at the intersection of the “standard” learning styles:

Visual Learners

Do you ever remember taking a test in school and thinking, “I don’t remember the answer, but I remember I had it highlighted pink in my notes”? If the answer is yes, then you might be a visual learner.

Visual learners remember and learn best from what they see. This doesn’t necessarily have to be restricted to pictures and videos. They do well with spatial reasoning, charts, graphs, etc. Visual learners often “see” words as pictures or objects in their heads.

Visual learners use their right brain to process information. The human brain processes visual information much faster than plain text. Some reports claim that images are processed 60,000 times faster than text .

As a visual learner, you can quickly take in and retain a lot of information because you prefer this processing method that humans are already very good at.

Visual learners prefer using maps, outlines, diagrams, charts, graphs, designs, and patterns when studying and learning. They are more likely to organize their notes into visual patterns or separate their pages of notes into different sections. Many visual learners also do well by color-coding their notes.

Careers For Visual Learners

Visual learners are often drawn to and do well in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Career options include Data Analytics & Visualization, Graphics Design, Photography, Architecture, Construction, Copy Editing, Interior Design, Physics, Advertising, Engineering, and Surgery.

A Note On Visual Learners For Teachers

Sometimes, students who are visual learners might stare out the window or doodle in their notes. If this is the case, let them do it. Locking their eyes constantly on you can be too visually stimulating for these students.

Sometimes, it’s the flower that they draw next to their notes that helps them remember the point by bringing out a visual connection.

It’s also easy for visual learners to get overwhelmed by a lot of visual input. If the classroom setting is chaotic, with many students moving around, it might be too much for these students to take in.

The design of a classroom is very important to visual learners. Clutter or too many posters adorning the walls can easily overwhelm their minds and processing.

Some visual learners may find it helpful to pay careful attention to your movements. They might even remember the silly hand motion you made or how you pointed to a country on the map. Keeping this in mind when delivering your lessons can be very effective.

Lesson Ideas To Help Visual Learners

Draw text and words.

Make it a habit to write new words and add a few quick context clues (e.g., putting the part of speech in brackets or underling the stressed syllable). Pick out a portion of the text with especially vivid imagery and instruct students to draw a picture of what the writing describes. This will help visual learners read and understand the text better.

Visual learners tend to color code things naturally. It can be helpful if you, as a teacher, also color code your notes as you write or post them. You could, for example, designate roles for certain areas of the board and use colors to organize information during the lesson.

Or, for homework or in-class assignments, you could have students annotate/read actively and use different colors for different things you want them to look for. For example, they could highlight dates in blue and names in yellow.

Use charts and graphs

Create charts and graphs to help students visualize information. While math and science subjects typically provide the ideal setting, they can be used in other disciplines as well.

For instance, in a social science class, students could track local election participation rates over ten years and create line graphs to visualize trends. This will give them a deeper understanding of civic involvement dynamics in their community.

Such assignments engage visual learners and allow them to recall information more easily, organize concepts, and articulate their thoughts more easily. Try:

Venn Diagrams (that represent comparisons and contrasts)
Timelines (to visually represent a series of events)
Inverted Triangles (that go from broad topics to more specific ones).
Story or Essay Planners (that guide students through the steps necessary to complete tasks)
Charts to list word families – add columns for verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and nouns and fill them as words come up. (e.g., engage, engaging, engagingly, engagement)

Use posters and flashcards

As a project or class assignment, ask students to make posters illustrating key concepts. Students can even present their posters to the class – which would benefit auditory learners. Display these posters on the wall to help drive home important topics.

Flashcards also provide visual cues to young learners and can be used to teach various concepts. To build vocabulary, for example, the word “yummy” may be drawn as swirls of an ice cream cone that helps visual learners remember.

A number of classic games can also be designed using flashcards that help visual learners interact visually and learn better.

Draw reasoning

In math, teach students to draw out their reasoning. For example, instead of verbally explaining how to add 3 and 5, you could create a sketch that depicts two baskets with 3 and 5 apples each. Counting all the apples in your drawing visually demonstrates that 3 plus 5 equals 8, making it easier to understand.

Use gestures

Be aware of your body language when you teach. Including gestures and hand motions when you speak will help visual learners pay attention and make connections.

Auditory Learners

Do you sometimes talk to yourself when thinking hard, studying, or trying to organize something? If that sounds like you, you’re likely an auditory learner.

Auditory learners learn best by carefully hearing and listening. This can include listening to external sources and hearing themselves talk. They will likely volunteer to answer questions and actively participate in classroom discussions.

Auditory learners have a great advantage in the classroom because they are not afraid to speak their minds and easily get answers to their questions. Consequently, they process information very easily, right there in the classroom.

In contrast, reading/writing learners might not even realize they have a question until they’ve had time to go back and process their notes.

For auditory learners, any form of listening or speaking is the most efficient learning method. This can include lectures, audiobooks, discussions, and verbal processing. They are also typically good at storytelling and public speaking.

Many auditory learners prefer studying and working in groups because they prefer to talk through the information, which makes them “social learners,” as per Memletics.

Careers For Auditory Learners

Any job that requires a lot of listening and/or speaking will likely be an excellent fit for an auditory learner. Some career fields to consider include law, psychiatry or therapy, guidance counseling, customer service, sales, speech pathology, journalism, and teaching.

A Note On Auditory Learners For Teachers

Just like visual learners, even auditory learners might stare into space, but for a different reason. Since they process information best by listening, they don’t need to look at notes or PowerPoint very often. While this may seem like they are zoning out or not paying attention, it’s generally not the case.

If you’ve ever caught a student staring off into space and asked them a question, thinking you’ve caught them off guard, only to get the perfect answer, you’ve likely found a very auditory learner.

These students also tend to get chatty during class. This can be great when trying to get a lively class discussion or debate going but not when you need the class to listen intently.

Before this frustrates and angers you, remember that this is how their brain works and learns. As much as you can and as much as is practical based on the subject, try to facilitate discussions and play into this rather than squashing it.

Remember that auditory learners may really struggle with written and visual information.

These are the students who can answer every single question you ask in class and then score just 60% on an exam that tests the same information. If you suspect that a student who bombed a test actually knows much more, give them a chance to answer those questions verbally.

Lesson Ideas To Help Auditory Learners

For obvious reasons, audiobooks are perfect for auditory learners. Give these students the option to listen from an audiobook—this can be effective with both novels and textbooks.

Socratic Seminar

A Socratic seminar is a student-led discussion based on a text in which the teacher asks open-ended questions to begin with. Students listen closely to each other’s comments, think critically for themselves, and articulate their thoughts and responses to others’ thoughts.

They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly. Discussions usually occur in a circle, and the atmosphere is laid-back, encouraging every student to join the conversation.

Auditory learners often lead such discussions. It gives them a chance to shine and be rewarded for talking, which usually gets them in trouble otherwise.

Teacher Kelly Gallagher offers a great handout called Trace the Conversation that can help auditory and visual learners with Socratic seminars. There are many ways to conduct Socratic Seminars; the National Council of Teachers of English has a great explanation .

Speeches, the often hated but necessary school assignment many students dread, are a favorite of auditory learners. When it comes to speeches, auditory learners feel in their element. Speeches can be short and impromptu or long and planned, and they can be on any subject.

Recorded notes

You can either record yourself speaking or permit your students to record lectures so they can listen later. You can also encourage students to record themselves reading their notes.

Text to speech

Students can do this independently, but they might need your prompting or feel better about doing it if you permit them. Document processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have text-to-speech and speech-to-text embedded as standard.

Students can, for instance, use speech-to-text to capture their thoughts when writing essays. Text-to-speech can also be beneficial for proofreading and catching errors.

A structured debate is beneficial for auditory learners to get their ideas across. It can be done at all grade levels and in all disciplines. Here is a great resource for some debate ideas and different debate formats for different grade levels.

Reading/Writing Learners

Do you tend to zone out when people talk to you or when you hear a lecture? Would you instead read the transcript or get the information from a book? Then, you’re probably a reading/writing learner. You learn best by reading and writing.

Reading/writing learners often relate to the famous Flannery O’Connor’s quote: “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.”

For these learners, verbal input can often go into one ear and out from the other without much effect. Seeing notes on the board or a PowerPoint presentation is very important to them, as is taking notes.

These students learn best from books, lists, notes, journals, dictionaries, etc. They can also intuitively help themselves learn by rewriting notes, using flashcards, adding notes to pictures or diagrams, choosing a physical book over an audiobook, and using closed video captions.

Careers For Reading/Writing Learners

Writing is a common and obvious career choice for reading/writing learners, but if this is your learning style, you’re definitely not limited to writing. Editing, journalism, public relations, law, teaching and education, marketing, advertising, researching, translating, and economic advising are all excellent career choices.

A Note On Reading/Writing Learners For Teachers

Reading/writing learners are often your typical “good students.” However, they can really struggle to learn from lectures or completely auditory methods. They may not respond well to class discussions and need more time to process what they hear.

Help them by giving them time to write down their thoughts before asking them to share out loud. This will reduce their stress and allow them to process their thoughts.

As a teacher, you will likely encounter students who need more time to understand a concept, even after you have finished explaining it. These students are most likely reading/writing learners.

Knowing their learning style makes it easier to be more patient and provide them with the necessary support. They sometimes struggle to take notes because they try to write down everything you say. Help them by working with them to pull out the most important parts of your lecture and paraphrase what they hear.

Lesson Ideas To Help Reading/Writing Learners

No matter what the lesson is about, providing handouts highlighting the most important information is one of the best things you can do to help reading/writing learners. It’s also important to give them enough time to write detailed notes.

Essays and reading assignments

These simple assignments work best for reading/writing learners. This is why they often thrive in the traditional classroom setting.

Vocabulary stories

Have students create stories or plays to make their vocabulary words more fun and exciting. This can be done in any subject area that has vocabulary words.

You can give students a topic or let them be creative, but all they have to do is write a story containing x number of vocabulary words. You can also extend this activity to help kinesthetic learners by having students act out their stories for the class.

Think, pair, share

Reading/writing learners often struggle with sharing their thoughts out loud. They ace their tests but freeze when you call on them in the class. Think-pair-share can help give them the confidence they need to verbalize their thoughts and is suitable for most age groups in almost any subject area.

First, ask students an open-ended question and give them time to think silently and write their answers. Then, have students pair up in small groups to share their answers. Then, open the discussion to the whole class.

The Think, Pair, and Share Method for Reading/Writing Learners

When you ask a question and want students to respond right away, you’ll likely get answers only from the auditory learners—they are the quickest at verbal processing.

With think-pair-share, the reading/writing learners get the time they need to process. In that time, they develop the confidence to construct a verbal response and are very likely to respond.

Kinesthetic Learners

Are you the first to stand up and volunteer to demonstrate an experiment for everyone else? Do you need to change the oil rather than look at a diagram to learn how to do it? If the answer is yes, then you are most likely a kinesthetic learner.

The root word “kines” means motion and a kinesthetic learner learns best by “going through the motion” or doing the task. It’s much easier for them to internalize the information when they are actively moving their body and combining that with what they are learning.

These students tend to shine in demonstrations and experiments. They also learn best from seeing something firsthand, like watching live videos and going on field trips.

Combining a physical motion, such as fidgeting, with a piece of information can help them learn better. They are likelier to use active gesturing and “talk with their hands.”

Careers For Kinesthetic Learners

Any career that allows physical activity and requires movement is right up the alley of a kinesthetic learner. These are the ones who often use the phrase “I don’t sit well.”

Kinesthetic learners typically don’t thrive well at desk jobs. Good career options for such learners include physical or occupational therapy, nursing, dance, theatre, music, automotive technology, welding, on-site engineering jobs, carpentry, agriculture, environmental science, forestry, and marine biology.

A Note On Kinesthetic Learners For Teachers

Just because you see a student fidgeting or being antsy, it doesn’t mean they aren’t paying attention or are bored. Their brain craves that movement to help them make connections.

There’s no need to force such students to sit entirely still as long as they aren’t distracting others in the classroom. Try to connect movement to the concepts you’re teaching as much as possible. Kinesthetic learners need to move, and they can benefit from active brain breaks.

Do your best to keep them active and allow movement in your classroom. If you notice a student with a glazed-over look, take a 30-second break from the lesson and have the entire class stand up, stretch, or do some jumping jacks.

Or you could ask your kinesthetic learner to run a quick errand to the office.

As students, kinesthetic learners often get punished for trying to move and follow their natural learning style. The more you can find ways to reward them for their learning style, the more engaged they will become.

Lesson Ideas To Help Kinesthetic Learners

Labs and experiments.

While labs and experiments are standard in science classes, they can also be successfully implemented in the curriculum of other subjects to benefit kinesthetic learners.

For example, an elementary math lesson could involve measuring each student’s height and creating problems based on the measurements. Geometry, for instance, could be taught using hands-on activities and tangible objects, like clay or building blocks, for better comprehension.

Field trips

With tightening school budgets, it can be hard to plan educational field trips, and that’s understandable. However, field trips need not have to be major events.

An art project, for example, could involve taking students outside and having them draw or photograph what they see. An English lesson could include a nature walk during which students journal or write a story about their little field trip.

Physical props

Use practical and/or memorable props; for example, when teaching a history lesson, dressing in the attire of the era you are teaching about will greatly impact kinesthetic learners. If you’re an anatomy teacher, consider using a model skeleton or demonstrating with your body as a helpful visual aid.

Take a stand

This activity is easy to set up and appeals to both kinesthetic and auditory learners. It requires you to prepare a series of questions that students can agree or disagree with.

For instance, if your students read “To Kill A Mockingbird,” your questions could revolve around racism. (Note: when tackling a sensitive subject such as racism, make sure you know your students and their maturity level)

Have signs on either side of your classroom indicating “agree” and “disagree.” Read through each question and have students move to the side of the room that fits their beliefs. Once there, they can discuss their thoughts with the group that follows their beliefs, and then you can open the discussion to the whole class.

This works well for literature and history lessons. Instead of reading silently, assign students parts and have them act out the story.

Tableaux Vivants

Tableaux Vivants is a time-tested process drama technique that can enhance students’ engagement and comprehension of abstract learning material across the curriculum. It works well in literature and history classrooms and is a great review activity. It is very similar to charades .

It involves breaking students into groups and assigning each group a “scene” – this could be from a work of literature or a scene from history. Each group then works together to create a silent re-enactment consisting of “snapshots” of the scene.

Students pose and pause for 5-10 seconds before moving on to their next pose. Once they have moved through all their poses, the rest of the class guesses what scene they were re-enacting.

Demonstration speeches

Einstein once said: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Demonstration speeches allow students to explain something they understand well to their peers.

Ask your students to pick a topic, such as how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Ask them to give a speech explaining the process while simultaneously demonstrating it.

The demonstration part appeals most to kinesthetic learners. Since students can choose their topic, it also appeals to all other learners, creating an engaging learning experience.

Logical Learners

If a child is good with numbers and asks many questions, they might be a logical learner. A logical learner has a core need to understand what is being learned. For them, simply memorizing facts is not enough. They thrive on orderly and sequential processes.

Individuals who excel at math and possess strong logical reasoning skills are usually logical learners. They notice patterns quickly and have a keen ability to link information that would seem unrelated to others. Logical learners retain details better by drawing connections after organizing an assortment of information.

As a logical learner, you can maximize your ability to learn by seeking to understand the meaning and reasoning behind the subject you’re studying. Avoid rote memorization.

Explore the links between related subject matter and ensure you understand the details. Use ‘systems thinking’ to better understand the relationship between various parts of a system. This will not only help you understand the bigger picture but also help you understand why each component is important.

Social Learners

Social learners have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They are at ease speaking to others and adept at comprehending other people’s perspectives. For this reason, people frequently seek counsel from them.

Social learners learn best when working with groups and take opportunities to meet individually with teachers.

If you like bouncing ideas off others, prefer working through issues as a group, and thoroughly enjoy working with others, you may be a social learner. Seek opportunities to study with others. If your class doesn’t have formal groups, form one.

Solitary Learners

Solitary learners prefer working by themselves in private settings. They avoid relying on others for help when solving problems or studying and frequently analyze their learning preferences and methods.

Solitary learners tend to waste a lot of time on a complex problem before seeking assistance. If you are a solitary learner, you must consciously recognize this limitation and try to seek help more often/sooner when stuck.

Generally, solitary learning can be a very effective learning style for students.

Tips to Simultaneously Help Learners of All Types

Lessons tailored to suit multiple learning styles are often the most effective, as they reach and appeal to most students. Another reason they are best suited is because most people have a combination of learning styles.

The activities discussed in this article provide ample opportunities for all types of learners to benefit. As a teacher, if you try to be creative, you can make little tweaks in almost every lesson to reach different learning styles.

Following are some ideas and ways by which to reach all four VARK learning styles:

Split your space into multiple stations (or centers) spread throughout the classroom. Break your students into groups so there is a group at every station.

Then, assign activities for each station that focus on a learning style. Have the students rotate with their groups from one station to another.

Split the classroom space into centers suited to different learning styles

While the obvious benefit of rotation is that it ensures the activities cover each type of learner’s needs, there is more to it.

Even if you don’t have a center that caters to kinesthetic learners, the simple act of getting up and moving around different stations in the classroom helps them. The same goes for auditory learners; being in small groups and rotating throughout the room encourages discussion.

Give options

Irrespective of what subjects you teach your students, give them options as far as possible. For instance, instead of assigning an essay at the end of a unit, assign a project that can be completed with multiple activities.

Don’t mention which choices align with which learning style—let the students decide. Here is an example of 4 different options for a homework project:

Write an essay (appeals to reading/writing learners)
Record a podcast or TED talk (appeals to auditory learners)
Film a video (appeals to kinesthetic learners)
Create a poster or multimedia project (appeals to visual learners)

Quite often, students will naturally gravitate toward the option that best suits their learning style.

Allow students to use headphones when working independently in class. This helps cut out distractions for most learning types. Particularly for auditory learners, it can help make connections between what they hear and what they’re learning, which can be very helpful for them when they need to work silently.

Technology has made great strides and deep inroads into education. Several apps and websites can help students in various ways. Here is a list of apps for elementary math that could appeal to all four learning styles.

Games that include pictures and sound can help visual and auditory learners. Reading explanations and lessons on apps helps reading/writing learners. Physically manipulating and touching a device helps kinesthetic learners.

A quick online search will reveal several beneficial websites and apps for almost any discipline.

Final Words

There is no right or wrong when it comes to learning styles; they are simply names and categories assigned to how people’s brains process information.

It is generally easier for those with a dominant reading/writing style to succeed in a traditional academic setting, thus securing the “good student” label. However, education has come a long way, and schools and teachers can cater to various styles.

As a teacher, it’s important to remember that every student is unique. Even two visual learners might differ significantly in terms of what works for them. The best approach is to learn about and understand each student’s unique educational requirements.

After all, students are human beings with unique needs and feelings; teachers who remember this can approach them empathetically.

If you are a student interested in knowing about your learning style, you can begin by taking the VARK questionnaire . Having your students take the questionnaire is a good idea if you’re a teacher. Not only will you discover your student’s learning styles, but they will also be able to identify which techniques work best for them.

Remember, learning style is only a partial explanation of a student’s preferred way of learning. It is never the complete picture. These styles change over time, and every student can have differing degrees of inclination toward a given style.

However, regardless of your position in education, recognizing both your own learning styles and those of others around you can be highly beneficial.

8 Types of Learning Styles | The Definitive Guide

March 7, 2024

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Every student has a strategy they use to remember information more efficiently while studying. Some of them take notes; some make diagrams; some prefer to listen to lectures, etc. Since no learning style fits all students, scientists have conducted research in order to understand the way students learn new information best.

Let’s look at the different types of learning they have distinguished.

What Are the Main Four Types of Learning in Education?

We mentioned before that scientists have for years tried to understand the best ways students learn through research. One of the popular theories, to this day, is the VARK model. This model identifies four types of learners: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing .

Most people are a combination of these four styles, but more times than not, they have a predominant style of learning. Each of these styles has a complementary way of teaching. Now, let’s see the characteristics each of these styles entails and how best to make use of them.

Visual learners are individuals who prefer to take in their information visually—be that with maps, graphs, diagrams, charts, and others. However, they don’t necessarily respond well to photos or videos, rather needing their information using different visual aids such as patterns and shapes.

The best way to present to visual learners is by showing them the relationship between different ideas visually. For instance, when explaining a scientific process, it can be done by using a flow chart.

Auditory learners are individuals who learn better when they take in information in auditory form when it is heard or spoken. They are prone to sorting their ideas after speaking rather than thinking ideas through before. Since, to them, saying things out loud helps them understand the concept.

If they are learning a second language or a new theory, auditory learners learn best when information is presented to them via strategies that involve talking, such as lectures and group discussions. They can benefit from repeating the lessons, utilizing technology for recordings of the lectures, doing group activities that require classmates to explain ideas, etc.

Kinesthetic learners are individuals who prefer to learn by doing. They enjoy a hands-on experience. They are usually more in touch with reality and more connected to it, which is why they require using tactile experience to understand something better.

The best way to present new information to a kinesthetic learner is through personal experience, practice, examples, or simulations. For instance, they can remember an experiment by recreating it themselves.

Reading/writing learners consume information best when it’s in words, whether that’s by writing it down or reading it. To them, text is more powerful than any kind of visual or auditory representation of an idea. These individuals usually perform very well on written assignments.

There are different ways to get a reading/writing learner to engage and understand a certain lesson. For instance, it would be best to have them describe charts and diagrams by written statements, take written quizzes on the topics, or give them written assignments.

Other Types of Learning Styles

Now that we have discussed some learning styles that have been around for a while, it’s time we dug a little deeper and introduced some other lesser-known learning styles. It is important to note that not everyone agrees on the types of learning styles, their names, or even their number. Recent studies and theories from psychologists and experts in the field suggest that there are anywhere between 3 to 170 different types of learning styles . Other types of learning styles, based on one of the senses and a social aspect, include:

As the name suggests, analytical learners depend on logic and analytical skills to understand a particular subject. These types of learners search for connections, causes, patterns, and results in their learning. A teacher can engage and motivate these students by posing questions that require interpretation, using material that activates problem-solving skills, and stimulating students to reach conclusions based on facts or reasoning.

These types of learners favor educational lessons that include peer work or participation. Social/ linguistic learners get two things out of this participation: socializing (which they love) and a better understanding of a subject. Teachers can motivate these types of learners by using role-playing and different communication activities , such as encouraging student interaction (asking questions, sharing stories, etc.).

Otherwise known as solo learners, these students are the opposite of social learners. Solitary learners prefer to study alone without having to interact with other learners. Individual work is a solo student’s forte. Teachers can help these types of learners by using activities that require individual work (including keeping a diary) and problem-solving skills, recognizing a student’s individual accomplishments, etc.

These types of learners excel when in contact with nature. A nature learner’s ideal study environment is a calm and relaxing environment. If we had to compare nature learners with another type, it would be tactile learners. The only difference is the nature part of this deal, as nature learners need to be outside to learn better. While learning in nature may not always be possible, teachers can still nurture this learning style in students by assigning hands-on activities, having classes outdoors when possible, and using nature examples when explaining a new lesson.

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Given that everyone has a unique learning method, it would be wrong to say that a specific learning style is the best way to go. However, understanding your or your child’s style of learning is very important.

Since the way someone best consumes information can be a deciding factor in their academic success, understanding what kind of learner they are is vital. You can do this by trying all four methods of learning and then deciding which one helps you remember best. Once you know what kind of style fits you, you can tailor your studies to fit your needs.

Additional Insights into Learning Styles

Understanding learning styles encompasses a broader spectrum beyond just the VARK model, delving into cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors influencing how individuals prefer to learn.

Cognitive styles, such as sequential versus global processing, contribute significantly to learning preferences. Sequential learners thrive on step-by-step instruction, while global learners prefer grasping the big picture first. Factors like attention span, memory capacity, and processing speed also shape learning preferences.

Emotional elements, including motivation and self-esteem, play a crucial role in individuals engaging with different learning styles. Students with high confidence and motivation may readily explore various learning approaches, while those with lower self-esteem might stick to familiar methods.

Moreover, the learning environment, encompassing aspects like noise level, lighting, and physical comfort, can significantly impact receptiveness to different learning styles. Flexibility in the environment, such as offering study location choices or adjusting classroom setups, helps accommodate diverse preferences.

Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learning Styles

Personalized strategies tailored to individual learning styles can enhance engagement and comprehension in teaching. Teachers can provide various learning materials, allow students to choose assignments, or offer alternative assessment methods to cater to varied preferences.

Integrating technology, such as interactive multimedia presentations or online forums, further supports different learning modes. Collaborative learning opportunities, including group activities and peer tutoring, benefit students with social or linguistic learning preferences by fostering interaction and discussion. Conversely, solitary learners may thrive in environments where they can work independently.

Continuous assessment and feedback mechanisms are integral in identifying students’ preferred learning styles and adjusting instructional strategies accordingly. Regular feedback enables students to reflect on their learning processes and refine study habits based on their unique styles.

Moreover, professional development programs for educators can provide training on recognizing and accommodating diverse learning styles in the classroom. Teachers can learn effective instructional strategies tailored to different preferences and gain insights into creating inclusive learning environments.

By embracing the multifaceted nature of learning styles, educators can cultivate environments that cater to the diverse needs of all students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Learning styles refer to individual preferences and approaches to acquiring knowledge. Understanding one’s learning style can enhance comprehension and academic success by tailoring study methods to fit individual needs.

Teachers can accommodate diverse learning styles by offering a variety of learning materials, allowing for student choice in assignments, integrating technology, fostering collaborative learning opportunities, and providing personalized feedback and support.

No, there is no single best learning style for all students. Every individual has a unique learning method that suits them best. It’s essential to explore different learning styles and determine which one works most effectively for each student.

Students can identify their preferred learning style by experimenting with different study methods, such as visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing techniques. Reflecting on which methods result in better comprehension and retention can help determine their preferred style.

Yes, besides learning styles, other factors such as cognitive abilities, emotional factors like motivation and self-esteem, environmental conditions, and teaching methods also influence how students learn. It’s essential to consider these factors holistically when designing educational strategies.

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8 Types of Learning Styles and How to Plan Your Education

Learning styles refer to the various ways individuals prefer to absorb, process, and retain information. Recognizing and understanding one’s learning style can significantly enhance the learning experience, making it more effective and enjoyable. This blog aims to explore the different types of learning styles and provide guidance on tailoring education to align with these preferences.

Types of Learning Styles

Various learning styles cater to individual preferences and strengths, enabling learners to better understand, retain, and apply information. In this section, we will delve into the characteristics and strategies of each learning style to help you identify your preferences and maximize your educational experience.

Visual Learning Style

Visual learners excel when information is presented in a visual format, such as diagrams, charts, or images. To enhance learning, visual learners can use color-coding, mind maps, and flashcards to organize and remember information effectively.

Auditory Learning Style

Auditory learners thrive in environments where information is presented through spoken language. They may find it beneficial to attend in-person lectures, participate in group discussions, or listen to audiobooks and podcasts to absorb information more efficiently.

Kinesthetic Learning Style

Kinesthetic learners prefer hands-on experiences and learn best by physically engaging with the subject matter. These learners can benefit from participating in activities, experiments, or role-playing exercises that connect them directly with the learning material.

Reading/Writing Learning Style

Reading/writing learners excel when information is presented in written form, such as textbooks, articles, or online resources. To maximize their learning, they can take detailed notes, rewrite information in their own words, and use written summaries to reinforce their understanding.

Logical/Analytical Learners

Logical or analytical learners have a strong affinity for reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding complex concepts. They can benefit from activities that challenge their critical thinking skills, such as puzzles, logical exercises, or working through hypothetical scenarios.

Social/Linguistic Learners

Social or linguistic learners enjoy learning in group settings and benefit from interacting with others. Strategies for these learners include participating in study groups, engaging in debates, and seeking feedback from peers or instructors.

Solitary Learners

Solitary learners prefer to study independently and often excel in self-directed learning environments. They can benefit from setting personal goals, creating a structured study plan, and regularly reflecting on their learning progress.

Nature Learners

Nature learners are drawn to learning experiences that involve the natural world. They can benefit from outdoor activities, field trips, or incorporating environmental themes into their studies to connect with their learning preferences.

How to Determine Your Learning Style

Understanding your learning style is essential for maximizing your educational experience. To identify your preferred learning style, consider the following steps:

Assess your personal preferences and strengths : Reflect on the methods that have worked best for you in the past. Think about the activities and environments that make you feel comfortable and engaged when learning. This self-assessment can provide insights into your preferred learning style.

Try different learning methods and observe the results : Experiment with various learning techniques and strategies to see which ones resonate with you. Pay close attention to how well you retain and apply information when using these methods, as this will help determine their effectiveness for your learning style.

Seek guidance from teachers or educational professionals : Don’t hesitate to consult with educators, academic advisors, or career counselors who can help you better understand your learning preferences and offer tailored advice. Their expertise and experience can provide valuable insights into your learning style and how to optimize it for success in your educational journey.

Matching Education to Learning Style

To optimize your educational experience, it’s essential to tailor your approach to learning based on your preferred style. Here are some key strategies to consider when planning your education according to your learning style:

Select courses and programs that align with your preferred learning methods : Choose educational programs that emphasize your learning style, whether it’s visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or another preference. This will enable you to engage more effectively with the course material and enhance your overall learning experience.

Utilize study techniques suited to your learning style : Adopt study strategies that cater to your preferred learning style, such as creating visual aids for visual learners or engaging in group discussions for social learners. This will help you absorb information more effectively and retain it for longer periods.

Communicate your learning preferences to instructors and peers : Share your learning style with your teachers and classmates to foster a supportive and understanding learning environment. This open communication can help instructors adapt their teaching methods to better cater to your needs and help peers collaborate more effectively during group projects or discussions.

Adapt to different teaching methods while maintaining focus on your personal learning style : In some cases, you may need to adapt to teaching methods that do not fully align with your learning style. However, you can still find ways to incorporate your preferred learning strategies into these situations, ensuring that you remain engaged and continue to learn effectively.

english, english language, language-2724442.jpg

Additional Resources for Learners with Different Learning Styles

In addition to selecting courses and programs that align with individual learning styles, it’s essential to explore other resources that support diverse learning preferences. These resources can enhance the educational experience and contribute to personal growth and success.

Career and education blogs offer valuable insights, tips, and advice for learners of all styles. These blogs often cover a wide range of topics, from study strategies and learning techniques to career development and industry trends. By regularly reading and engaging with career and education blogs, individuals can stay informed and up-to-date on the latest developments in their field, as well as discover new ways to optimize their learning experience.

Financial guides and strategies for paying for education can also be immensely beneficial for learners, as they provide valuable advice on managing tuition costs, finding scholarships and grants, and navigating the financial aid process. By utilizing these resources, students can make informed financial decisions and minimize the financial burden of their education.

Online learning platforms and courses offer additional opportunities for learners to pursue their education in a format that suits their unique learning style. These platforms provide a diverse range of courses and online programs , often featuring multimedia content, interactive elements, and self-paced learning options. By exploring online learning platforms, individuals can tailor their educational experience to their learning preferences, ensuring a more engaging and effective learning experience.

By embracing the diverse learning styles and preferences of students, education providers can create inclusive and supportive learning environments. By utilizing a variety of resources, including career and education blogs, financial guides, and online learning platforms, learners can optimize their educational experience and achieve their goals.

Learning Style Quiz

The following learning style quiz can help guide you toward identifying the learning style that you’ll most likely benefit from. We’ve only included the three most common styles: Auditory, Visualization, and Kinesthetics.

Remember, these categories are generalizations, and individuals may have a mix of learning styles. Use this quiz as a starting point to understand your preferences and adjust your study habits accordingly. Keep in mind that everyone may have a combination of learning styles, but one style might be more dominant for you.

1. When trying to understand a new concept, I prefer to:

Read about it in a book or written materials.
Listen to a lecture, podcast, or discussion about it.
Watch a demonstration or video explaining the concept.

2. When studying for a test, I find that I remember information best when:

I write out notes and key points.
I discuss the material with classmates or a study group.
I create visual aids like diagrams, charts, or mind maps.

3. In a group project, I am most likely to:

Take responsibility for researching and organizing information.
Participate actively in discussions and contribute ideas.
Work on visual aspects like presentations or design.

4. When faced with a problem, I usually:

Analyze the situation and think about possible solutions.
Talk through the problem with someone to gain different perspectives.
Sketch or visualize possible solutions.

5. If you had to learn a new skill (e.g., cooking, playing an instrument), you would prefer to:

Follow written instructions or a manual.
Have someone show you how to do it first.
Watch online videos or tutorials.

6. When recalling information, I am most likely to remember:

Facts and details.
Conversations and discussions.
Images and visual cues.

7. In a classroom setting, I learn best when the teacher:

Provides clear written instructions and materials.
Engages the class in discussions and interactive activities.
Uses visual aids, diagrams, or presentations.

8. When you have free time, you are most likely to:

Read a book, article, or blog post.
Listen to a podcast, audiobook, or music.
Engage in visual activities like drawing, painting, or watching videos.
For each ‘1 response, give yourself 1 point.
For each ‘2’ response, give yourself 2 points.
For each ‘3’ response, give yourself 3 points.
8-14 points: Visual Learner
15-22 points: Auditory Learner
23-24 points: Kinesthetic/Tactile Learner

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Personal Statement on My Most Effective Learning Style

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A learning style is a different way a person perceives and processes information. Understanding their learning mode allows one to incorporate their learning style with other methodologies and acknowledge how and when to use it. Each one of us has different ways of learning and comprehending. If I need to teach myself, the technique I first take and follow is visual. I like to see things and learn because the best way to educate myself is by looking at things. It is a more uncomplicated form of learning as I can observe things through whiteboards, images, and pictures, which help me, realize a particular concept.

The virtual learning method works for us humans as we can remember what we see that lasts for a while in our memory. The plan is affordable compared to buying books as it just requires an internet connection and a laptop or computer. For instance, when a teacher demonstrates a concept using an image, the skills and knowledge one acquires from them are retained for a long time. Visual learning is practical and essential as it increases our understanding of a particular concept. In addition, it is easier to capture information through images than texts and lectures, which can be monotonous and boring. The visual method works every other time for me, as through lectures notes and handouts in class, I can create charts and graphs while the facilitator is teaching. Thus I believe my mode of learning is the best to use when studying.

The method is successful for me to better understand and retain information by associating concepts, words, and ideas with images. Through the use of this method, I have found learning to be more exciting and captivating. Visual learning is a better learning tool as compared to reading. It has improved my learning capacity as I do not depend on a facilitator to teach a topic presented through a video. The method has also helped improve my interaction with the teachers, which has eased my learning experience. When analyzing the subject, complex issues such as math have become easy and understandable through graphs, charts, and images.

It has also improved my brain retention power as it’s easy for me to remember, which has reflected in my results as my grades have improved. The method is fascinating; thus, I find it a motivational tool to study, saving me from distraction and helping me remain focused. There is various significance associated with the method; thus, I will advise a person searching for a methodology for learning to apply the virtual learning method.

To truly master the academic material, I have taken responsibility for my learning. Whereby I set the pace in my education where if I fail, I take the opportunity to go back, rethink a new strategy in learning, set new goals, and try again. The second form of initiative I have taken is using technological sites to gather research and analyze instead of relying on the teacher for the basic knowledge. Despite being able to master academic concepts on my own, I need support to achieve higher goals. If teachers could take the initiative of adopting active learning in institutions, such a measure can be effective.

When the knowledge is passive, it tends to be boring; hence, many students are in class but are not concentrating. Instead, institutions should apply an active learning model where students are engaged in classrooms like the lessons are more skill-oriented than reading books. A new adaption of the new system that is not monotonous is rigid for an institution where learning will be more enjoyable. Moreover, the grading design should be rethought as it should not measure what students can accomplish; keen interest should be on person capabilities and interests.

I became aware of my preference of active learning after receiving experience of working as a tutor in Muslim American Society organization. I used to tutor 5 children of different ages in the development of reading and writing skills. It was then that I saw a correlation between their engagement and the outcome of the tutoring session. Hence, I tried to focus on engaging skill-building activities because I did not want to waste anyone’s time. When the tasks were creative and fun, the student’s progress increased and was clearly evident within months of tutoring. Therefore, I apply this strategy to my learning process by mixing routine tasks with creative activities.

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What Are Learning Styles, and How Should Teachers Use Them?

Encourage every student to explore material in a variety of ways.

What are Learning Styles? #buzzwordsexplained

Teachers are often told to make sure their lessons include a variety of activities to cover all learning styles. But what exactly does that mean?

FAQ: What Are Learning Styles?

Imagine you’re teaching a lesson on the presidency of John Adams. You’ll be giving a quiz on Friday, and you ask your students how they’ll be preparing. Some might say they’ll reread the text, then write down the answers to the review questions you’ve given them. Others might plan to watch a video on John Adams’ life, then talk over what they learned with a study partner. Another could plan to take the timeline handout you provided, cut it up into sections, and practice putting those sections in the proper order.

Each of these students is using different ways of learning in an effort to retain and understand the same information. Some like written words, some prefer to hear it and talk about it. Others need to do something with their hands, or see images and diagrams. These are all various learning styles.

What is VARK?

Visual-See It Auditory-Hear/Say It Read/Write-It Kinesthetic-Do It (Learning Styles)

Source: Nnenna Walters

In the mid-1980s, teacher Neil Fleming introduced the VARK model of learning styles. He theorized that students learned in these four general ways, known as styles or modalities:

Visual: Seeing images, diagrams, videos, etc.
Auditory: Hearing lectures and having discussions
Read/Write: Reading the written word and writing things down
Kinesthetic: Movement and hands-on activities

Fleming developed a questionnaire ( try a version of it here ) that a student could take to see which learning styles they preferred. The results indicate how their learning preferences spread across the spectrum.

One important detail Fleming noted was that just because you prefer or are good at a certain learning activity, that doesn’t mean it’s actually the style that helps you learn the most. “It is possible to like something (preference) and not be good at it (skill or ability). Similarly it is possible to be very skilled at using strategies aligned with one of the VARK modalities but not use that for learning,” he explained . “As an example, a learner who was very skilled at freehand drawing did not use it for her learning and did not enjoy doing it.”

Are learning styles a proven theory?

There’s a lot of argument over the validity of learning styles. Some studies claim to have debunked the theory entirely , stating that everyone uses each of the various styles at one time or another. Critics worry that pigeonholing a student as an “auditory learner” or a “visual learner” might cause them to limit the ways they approach new material.

That said, learning styles are accepted and used in most education programs. Fleming himself published an article in 2012 defending his theory , explaining that it has been misunderstood and misused. His intention was never to limit the ways in which individual students were encouraged to learn. Rather, he wanted teachers to better understand all the different ways they could reach their students.

Does a person have just one learning style?

Source: VARK Research

Absolutely not, says Fleming. “Because learners have different preferences between the four modes, it is unlikely that any particular mode will be dominant. That is why multimodality is the most common profile for two-thirds of learners.”

In other words, while some people lean strongly toward one learning type (modality), most are more evenly spread across the spectrum. The way they learn best will depend on the material and situation. The key isn’t to find a single best way for a student to learn. It’s to discover all the ways all students can learn.

The key isn't to find a single best way for a student to learn. It's to discover all the ways students can learn.

How should teachers use learning styles in the classroom?

The biggest takeaway for teachers is that they should design their curriculum with activities that fit all four learning styles. If you’re teaching students about earthquakes, plan to provide reading material, watch videos, explore diagrams, and do some hands-on classroom experiments. This array of activities allows all students to find a way of learning that suits them best.

Avoid classifying particular students as one type of learner, even if you note a particular preference. Rather than thinking of “visual learn ers ,” think of “visual learn ing .” Encourage every student to explore material in a variety of ways, finding the methods that help them the most.

If a student is having trouble mastering material one way, offer alternatives. For instance, one student can’t seem to memorize their math facts. They spend time doing flash cards with their parents every day at home, but it’s just not sticking. Encourage the student to try something different. Maybe they can watch a video that sets the math facts to music. Or they might benefit from playing a matching game with the flash cards, or even hopping along the floor from one card to the next as they practice. Engage different senses in the process until you find one that brings the learning home.

The Four Learning Styles in the Classroom

Take a closer look at what the various learning styles look like in the classroom, and discover activities that support those styles.

Visual Learning

Infographic detailing different ways to teach visual learners

Source: TeachThought

When you’re learning visually, you’re engaging your eyes. These activities involve bright colors, graphic representations of concepts or materials, and lots of visual aids.

What It Looks Like:

Diagrams, charts, graphs, and maps
Videos, photos, and other images
Drawing and doodling
Interesting layouts and formats of written material
Colors and shapes

Classroom Activities

Math: Represent numbers and problems in a variety of ways, including pictures , 10-frames , videos, and diagrams
Language Arts: Add images to support the text, like photos, charts, and maps; encourage students to make drawings representing what they read
Science: Watch videos, look at pictures, analyze charts and diagrams
Social Studies: Explore maps in detail, look at pictures, provide charts and diagrams, watch videos

Auditory Learning

Source: Argo Prep

Auditory (also called aural) learning is all about sound, both listening and talking. The more students get a chance to hear, say, and discuss the information, the better.

Videos with sound
Text-to-speech translation
Discussion and debate
Asking and answering questions
Teaching others
Math: Sing songs to learn numbers or math facts, talk through problems out loud while solving them, repeat formulas out loud, watch math videos
Language Arts: Read out loud (to self or others), listen to audiobooks , practice spelling words out loud
Science: Watch videos with sound, learn songs about concepts, discuss ideas and experiments
Social Studies: Debate or discuss a topic, read articles out loud, watch videos with sound

Read/Write Learning

Source: Kwik Pass

As the name suggests, this style focuses on the written word. Whether reading or writing, it all comes down to seeing things in words on the page. Some people lump this modality with visual learning, but this style relies much more on written text than images.

Textbooks, articles, and handouts
Video with subtitles turned on
Essays and papers
Speech-to-text translation and transcripts
Making lists, with subheads, bullet points, etc.
Taking detailed notes
Writing answers to questions instead of answering out loud
Math: Complete worksheets, write down math facts and formulas, turn numerical problems into word problems
Language Arts: Read independently, write essays or answers to questions, take notes during discussions or lectures
Science: Read texts and articles, watch videos with subtitles turned on, take detailed notes during hands-on experiments and activities, write down concepts in your own words during lectures
Social Studies: Read texts and articles, watch videos with subtitles turned on, write answers to review questions, take detailed notes during lectures, provide transcripts of videos

Kinesthetic Learning

Source: Open Library

When you tie movement to learning, that’s the kinesthetic style. This modality involves lots of hands-on activities and the ability to try things for yourself. Dancing and even exercise can reinforce this type of learning.

Hands-on practice
Educational craft projects
Experiments and demonstrations
Trial and error
Exploring real-life examples of concepts and ideas
Moving while learning
Math: Play active math games ( see a list here ), practice counting while jumping or performing other movements, show how concepts apply in real-life situations, use lots of math manipulatives
Language Arts: Read nonfiction and autobiographies, write letters in the air while spelling the words, perform a skit that summarizes a story, use active reading games ( see a list here )
Science: Complete hands-on demonstrations, design and perform experiments , apply the concepts to real life
Social Studies: Visit museums and historic sites, draw timelines, reenact historical events, try the dances and arts of a culture

Next, try these 21 Differentiated Instruction Strategies Every Teacher Can Use .

Plus, get all the latest teaching tips and ideas when you sign up for our free newsletters .

Learn about the 4 main learning styles (visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic) and how to accommodate these styles in the classroom.

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Our page Learning Approaches explains some of the general approaches to teaching and learning.

This page builds on that to discuss two theories of learning styles: one based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle and the other based on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).

The idea of a learning style is that we all have a way in which we prefer to learn. For example, some people like to sit down and read about a subject while others prefer to get on and have a go at it. However, it’s not usually quite as clear-cut as this since preferences can change over time and as you are required to do different things at work and in life more generally.

However, an understanding of your preferred learning style may help you to find new ways of studying that better work for you.

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle

Kolb’s learning cycle proposes that we all learn from our experience in a cyclical way.

People observe something happening and reflect on their observations. This experience and reflection is then incorporated into the theoretical knowledge that the person already possesses, or is supported by reading and training, building up a framework into which to fit their experience.

To complete the cycle, people then need to be able to practice the new skills they have learned.

Learning Styles - Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle

Four Different Learning Styles

Kolb proposed this as a cycle. But there’s no question that while we all go through the cycle when we learn something, we also all prefer to start in different places and to spend more time on some aspects than others.

Two men called Peter Honey and Alan Mumford noticed this and built on Kolb’s work to propose the theory of learning styles.

Honey and Mumford identified four separate learning styles:

Activists learn by doing.

They don’t want to hear what they should be doing, they want to dive in head-first and have a go.

Activists are likely to say:

“ Let’s just give it a go and see what happens ” “ Can I try it out? ”

Pragmatists care about what works in the real world.

They aren’t interested in abstract concepts, they just want to know if it works.

Pragmatists are likely to say:

“How will it work in practice?” “I just don’t see how this is relevant”

Reflectors like to think about what they’re learning.

They want to understand things thoroughly before they try them out.

Reflectors are likely to say:

“Let me just think about this for a moment” “Don’t let’s rush into anything”

Theorists like to understand how the new learning fits into their ‘framework’ and into previous theories.

They’re likely to be uncomfortable with things that don’t fit with what they already know.

Theorists are likely to say:

“But how does this fit in with [x]?” “I’d just like to understand the principles behind this a bit more”

In order to learn effectively, it’s important to be able to use all four styles, but most people have a preference for one or two.

Particularly common mixtures seem to include Activist/Pragmatist and Reflector/Theorist.

As it’s possible to learn and develop other styles, learning style preferences change over time - unlike other psychological assessments, such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicators , which tend to stay remarkably consistent over time.

People often notice that their learning style has changed in response to different job demands or changes in their life.

VAK Model of Learning

One of the most common models of learning styles, taught to teachers and therefore familiar to many children, is based on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) .

It describes learners as V isual, A uditory and K inaesthetic and describes how you prefer to take in information.

Visual learners prefer to take in information by seeing and often process it in pictorial form. This means that they will often think or remember things in pictures and like to read, see graphs, and use symbols.

Auditory learners prefer to listen and take information in by what they hear. They favour lectures and discussions over reading.

Kinaesthetic learners learn by experience and particularly by tactile exploration of the world. They prefer to learn by experimentation. As most parents will testify, it’s not unreasonable to describe very young children as natural kinaesthetics, always wanting to feel something or put it in their mouths!

Use of Language: Identifying the Way Someone Thinks

You can get clues to whether someone is visual, auditory or kinaesthetic from the kind of language that they use.

Visual thinkers will use phrases like “I see what you mean”, and “Let me get the picture straight in my mind”.

Auditory thinkers will be more likely to say “I hear what you’re saying”.

Kinaesthetics , on the other hand, will “feel your pain” and give you a hug.

Practical Implications of Learning Styles

There is no question that each of us has particular preferences for how we learn. There is equally little doubt that we all have slightly different things that we are good at, which may or may not be related to our learning style.

The original theory suggests that we should tailor learning experiences to fit our preferred learning style.

Unfortunately, there are a huge number of theories of learning styles out there, and very little evidence that teaching in a particular style is beneficial for a particular type of learner.

A major review study looked at the VAK model of learning styles, and suggested that in order to prove that it was useful in teaching, you would need to have studies that grouped students by learning style, and then taught part of each group in different ways. There would need to be teaching methods that worked best for each type of learner and did not work for the others . The review authors concluded that there had been almost no studies that did this.

The jury, therefore, is still out on whether teaching should be tailored to learning styles.

However, just because there is no evidence from a formal study does not mean that considering your learning style is not worthwhile.

A knowledge of learning styles may help you to identify different ways of learning that might be enjoyable or better for you. For example:

Activist ways of learning include brain-storming, practical experimentation, role plays, group discussion and problem-solving.

Pragmatist study styles include case studies and time to think about the practical applications of what you are learning.

Reflector-style learning includes spending time reading around a subject, and watching others try things out.

Theorist learning involves models and theories, with plenty of background information.

Understanding that there are different ways of learning, and that learning ideally happens in a cycle, helps you to vary your learning experience, and that is likely to improve your ability to learn and to retain information.

If you find that there are particular types of teaching or learning that really do not suit you, do not be afraid to tailor your experience a bit. If you are considering a course, whether for long-term study or shorter-term learning, you may want to phone the person organising it and discuss the type of learning. It may be that you could avoid certain aspects of it, or the tutor may be able to suggest a more appropriate course for you.

If you are unable to choose your experiences, you can always try to adapt them

For example, even if you struggle with sitting in a lecture, listening to someone talk, do not be tempted to abandon the experience! Instead, try making it into something different. Take notes, or draw a picture such as a mind-map to help you remember it more visually, or organise a discussion session afterwards over coffee with others to consider the learning in a different way.

If your course is examination-based, you also need to think about how you are going to revise the subject matter. For example, you may like lectures, but will you want to revise by reading over your notes? Maybe you should ask your lecturers if you can record the lecture, or perhaps record your notes onto a digital voice recorder? Then you can play back your ‘notes’ afterwards and listen again to revise them.

Learn and Adapt

The science of learning styles is still a bit hazy, and there is a distinct lack of evidence about whether teaching and learning should be tailored rigidly to suit learning styles.

There is, however, no doubt that varying learning experiences helps everyone to stay interested, teachers and pupils alike.

Even if there are elements of your chosen course which do not particularly suit you, bear with it. Different experiences will broaden your ability to learn in different ways, which is always going to be helpful.

Continue to: Understanding Your Preferences to Aid Learning The 8 Types of Learning Styles

See also: Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Revision Skills and Learning Styles

Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > What is an Auditory Learning Style and How Can it Help You?

Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

What is an Auditory Learning Style and How Can it Help You?

Updated: August 28, 2024

Published: August 26, 2024

a female student learning via the auditory medium in an online college class

Everyone learns differently, and knowing your learning style can greatly affect how well you absorb information. Learning styles are important because they help you figure out the best ways to understand new material. One main learning style is auditory learning, which means you learn best by listening.

This differs from visual learners, who prefer seeing information, or kinesthetic learners, who need hands-on experiences. By understanding your auditory learning style, you can use techniques that make learning easier and more effective.

a male college student learning his lessons the auditory medium

What is an Auditory Style of Learning?

Auditory learning is when you take in information mainly through listening and talking. If you’re an auditory learner, you probably remember spoken instructions easily and enjoy group discussions or lectures.

You might find that reading aloud or talking through problems helps you understand better. These learners often do well when they can hear information, whether it’s from a teacher, a podcast, or a discussion with classmates.

This style of learning is all about using sound and speech to process new information.

Main Benefits of Auditory Learning

Auditory learning offers several advantages that can enhance the educational experience and make studying more enjoyable and effective. Here are some key benefits:

Information Retention

Auditory learners excel at remembering things they hear, which makes them great at retaining spoken information. Whether it’s a lecture, podcast, or conversation, hearing information can help them store it in long-term memory. They can often recall details from discussions and presentations more easily than visual or hands-on learners.

Language Skill Development

Listening is a powerful tool for picking up new words, improving pronunciation, and learning languages faster. Auditory learners benefit from hearing the natural flow of language, which can accelerate their understanding of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Engaging with spoken language in various forms, such as audiobooks and conversations, can significantly boost language acquisition.

Multitasking Ability

Auditory learners are skilled at handling multiple tasks simultaneously. For instance, they can listen to a lecture while taking notes or following a conversation while working on a project. This ability to process auditory information while engaging in other activities can enhance their productivity and efficiency in learning environments.

Improved Focus

Hearing information out loud helps auditory learners concentrate and stay on task during classes or study sessions. Listening to lectures, discussions, or audio recordings can create a focused learning environment, allowing them to absorb material more effectively and maintain attention over extended periods.

a female college student planning her study schedule

Best Tips for Auditory Learners to Receive Information Faster

Auditory learners can benefit from various strategies to enhance their learning experience and make the most of their listening skills. Here are some practical tips:

Use Voice Recording Apps

Recording lectures or personal notes allows auditory learners to revisit the material at their own pace. Listening to these recordings reinforces understanding and retention. It also provides an opportunity to review complex topics, clarify doubts, and ensure they have captured all critical points.

Implement Text-to-Speech Technology

Using text-to-speech software can transform written material into audio format, making it easier for auditory learners to engage with the content. This technology is helpful for reading assignments, documents, and articles, allowing learners to listen and absorb information more naturally.

Listen to Educational Podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent way for auditory learners to learn on the go. They offer a wide range of topics and can easily fit into daily routines, whether commuting, exercising, or relaxing. Educational podcasts provide valuable insights and knowledge in an accessible format.

Use Mnemonic Devices and Rhymes

Creating mnemonic devices or rhymes can help auditory learners remember complex information. These sound patterns make recall more accessible and enjoyable, enabling them to retain key concepts and details.

Verbalize Your Thoughts

Talking through ideas and discussing concepts with others helps auditory learners reinforce their understanding and strengthen their memory. Speaking out loud clarifies thinking, identifies gaps in knowledge, and solidifies learning.

Practice Active Listening

Active listening involves engaging with the material by asking questions, summarizing key points, and reflecting on what is heard. This practice enhances information processing and retention, enabling auditory learners to extract maximum value from their learning experiences.

Are there Specific Careers that Suit Auditory Learners Particularly Well?

Auditory learners thrive in careers where listening and verbal communication are essential. Here are a few professions that align with their strengths:

Music Industry Professional

Auditory learners who have a keen ear for sound and music can excel in careers like music production, sound engineering, or music therapy. These roles leverage their sensitivity to audio details and allow them to create, analyze, and enhance musical experiences.

Language Specialist

Careers such as interpreting, translating, or teaching languages are ideal for auditory learners due to their strong verbal and listening skills. These roles require excellent communication abilities and a knack for understanding and conveying nuanced language details.

Radio Host or Podcaster

In roles like radio hosting or podcasting, auditory learners can use their verbal skills and passion for audio content to create engaging programs. They excel at storytelling, interviewing, and connecting with audiences through spoken word.

Customer Service Representative

Auditory learners’ ability to listen carefully and communicate effectively makes them well-suited for customer service roles. These positions require empathy, active listening, and problem-solving skills to address customer inquiries and concerns.

Psychologist or Counselor

In counseling and psychology , auditory learners’ listening skills and empathy are vital for helping others. They can understand clients’ needs, provide support, and facilitate meaningful conversations that promote healing and growth.

Can Someone Have Multiple Learning Styles?

Most people don’t stick to just one learning style. You might find that you learn best through a combination of listening, seeing, and doing. You can become a more effective learner by recognizing and using different styles.

Blending styles allow you to adapt based on the material and context you’re studying. For example, if you’re primarily an auditory learner, adding some visual aids or hands-on activities can give you a more rounded understanding and help you tackle new challenges with confidence.

Are there Disadvantages to Having a Strong Auditory Learning Preference?

While being an auditory learner has its perks, there can be some downsides. If you rely mostly on listening, you might find it harder to deal with visual or hands-on tasks, like understanding charts or diagrams without verbal explanations.

Written information might be a bit challenging if it’s not accompanied by spoken context. Focusing can be tough in noisy environments or situations with little verbal input. Being aware of these potential challenges can help auditory learners find ways to overcome them and adapt when needed.

Recognizing and Improving Your Personal Learning Style

Figuring out your learning style can really boost your educational experience. Start by paying attention to how you study and learn best: Do you remember things better when you hear them, see them, or do them? There are self-assessment quizzes online that can offer more insights.

Once you know your dominant style, try incorporating other methods to create a balanced approach. For instance, if you’re an auditory learner, add some visual aids or hands-on activities to enhance your understanding and learning abilities.

What are the common characteristics of auditory learners?

Auditory learners excel at processing information through listening. They remember conversations and spoken instructions well and prefer lectures and discussions over reading texts.

How does auditory learning differ from visual or kinesthetic styles?

Auditory learning focuses on listening and speaking, while visual learning involves seeing and reading, and kinesthetic learning is about hands-on activities and physical interaction.

What strategies best support auditory learners in classroom settings?

Strategies like participating in discussions, listening to recorded lectures, using rhymes and mnemonic devices, and talking through information can help auditory learners succeed.

Are there disadvantages to having a strong auditory learning preference?

Yes, there can be challenges. Auditory learners might struggle with tasks that require visual skills or hands-on activities, like interpreting graphs or reading, without verbal guidance. They may also find it hard to concentrate in noisy environments or when auditory input is limited.

What role does active listening play in auditory learning?

Active listening is key for auditory learners as it helps them process and remember information. Engaging with material by asking questions and summarizing points improves comprehension and retention.

Can auditory learning skills be developed or enhanced over time?

Yes, auditory skills can be strengthened through practice. Listening to audiobooks, participating in discussions, and using audio tools can enhance auditory processing and make learning more effective.

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