LEARNING STYLES are various approaches and strategies that individuals use to acquire and process new information and skills. These styles reflect differences in how people prefer to learn and can influence their effectiveness in educational and training settings. While learning styles have been a topic of interest in education and psychology, it’s important to note that the concept has faced criticism and is not universally accepted within the academic community. Nonetheless, understanding learning styles can be useful for tailoring teaching methods and study techniques to better suit individual preferences.
Many teachers are aware that each student prefers different learning styles and techniques. Learning styles tend to group common ways that people learn. This means every one of us has a mix of learning styles.
One of those stray emails you receive from time to time got me into thinking. It had four key questions:
- Does one of your class have high readiness to learn but lacks motivation?
- Does another have a low ability but with high levels of interest?
- Does one of your class have high readiness to learn but lacks motivation?
- Does another have a low ability but with high levels of interest?
The key question, however, was HOW DO YOU FIND A WAY TO ENGAGE LEARNERS OF ALL LEVELS?
An individual person may have a dominant learning style with far less use of the other styles. Still there are others, who find that they use different styles in different circumstances.
Ultimately, there is no right mix, nor are one’s learning styles fixed. Any person may develop ability in less dominant styles as well as further develop styles that they already use well.
It is commonly recognized that educational settings tend to lean towards certain learning styles. These learning styles are based on the idea that individuals have different preferences on how they process information and learn effectively.
Common Learning Styles
VISUAL LEARNERS: These learners prefer to see information in the form of charts, diagrams, images, or videos. They benefit from visual aids and often have a strong spatial understanding.
AUDITORY LEARNERS: These learners learn best through listening and verbal communication. They prefer lectures, discussions, and audio recordings to absorb information effectively. These students prefer using sound and music.
KINESTHETIC LEARNERS: These learners are hands-on and learn through physical experiences and movement. They benefit from activities, demonstrations, and practical applications of knowledge.
READING/WRITING LEARNERS: These learners prefer to learn through reading and writing. They excel in written assignments, note-taking, and reading materials to absorb and process information.
SOCIAL LEARNERS: These learners thrive in collaborative environments and learn best through interactions with others. They enjoy group discussions, teamwork, and cooperative learning activities.
LOGICAL LEARNING STYLE: Logical learners prefer to learn by thinking and reasoning. They may learn best by solving problems, analyzing data, or doing experiments.
SOLITARY LEARNERS: These learners prefer to work independently and learn effectively in quiet, focused settings. They excel in self-paced learning, individual study, and personal reflection.
It’s important to note that individuals may exhibit a combination of learning styles and can adapt their learning preferences depending on the situation. Teachers and educators often employ a variety of instructional strategies and materials to accommodate different learning styles in the classroom and promote a well-rounded learning experience.
It is important to note that people do not always fit neatly into one learning style category. Most people have a combination of learning styles, and they may learn best in different ways depending on the subject matter or task at hand.
There are many benefits to understanding your learning style. When you know how you learn best, you can choose learning strategies that will help you succeed. You can also ask your teachers to accommodate your learning style.
Here are some tips for learning in your preferred learning style:
- Visual Learners: Use images, charts, and graphs to help you understand information. Take notes using pictures or symbols.
- Auditory Learners: Listen to lectures, read aloud, or record yourself reading the material.
- Kinesthetic Learners: Take breaks to move around or do something physical while you’re learning. Act out what you’re learning or creating a model.
- Read/Write Learners: Take notes, write summaries, or create mind maps.
- Social Learners: Study with a group of friends, join a study group, or ask your teacher or professor for help.
- Solitary Learners: Find a quiet place to study where you won’t be interrupted. Take breaks when you need them.
- Logical Learners: Break down the material into smaller steps. Solve problems or do experiments to help you understand the material.
Thus, by recognizing and understanding their learning styles, students can use techniques that are better suited to them. This, ultimately, improves the speed and quality of one’s learning.
ULTIMATELY, in practice, teachers and learners can benefit from considering learning styles as one of many factors when designing instruction and studying. However, it’s crucial to use a variety of teaching methods and strategies to cater to diverse learning needs and not rely solely on a single learning style model.
From Kegan and Laskow Lahey’s work, it is clear that we have to attack both our assumptions and our competing commitments in order to stop sabotaging our own principles and beliefs. In the example teased out above, this might be about questioning the big assumption and/or developing different strategies.
However, when all is said and done, the only person with that commitment is YOU. This is the only way you can challenge your own behaviours. Hence, CHALLENGE YOURSELF first!