Figure out your learning style to reach your full learning potential.
At some point in your life, you might find yourself wondering why your classmates pick the lesson up faster than you or you faster than them. You are not to blame for this, as it might be the way teachers present the information. People digest and take in information differently even though they receive the exact same data, with your learning style having a significant impact on the way you understand and solve problems.
In theory, there are three primary learning styles, which are visual (spatial), auditory (aural), and physical (kinesthetic). Among the three, many educational institutions around the world tend to adopt auditory and visual learning as the ways to disseminate information, even though some students might not fall into either style of learning. While most people tend to stick to only one method of learning, it is possible for one person to have several learning styles, who are called “multimodal learners”.
Understanding your own learning style can enable you to do better self-learning outside of the school setting. Based on the VARK model, created by Neil Fleming, an experienced educator based in New Zealand, there are four learning approaches that are categorized into visual (V), auditory (A), reading-writing (R), and kinesthetic (K). Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory, which is an expanded model from the VARK model, goes beyond this, outlining seven learning styles:
Visual Learner (Spatial)
This type of learner depends mainly on visualization, such as images, videos, maps, charts, or symbols in order to better understand things. Most of the time, visual learners tend to be very quick to translate charts or diagrams and they process information based on their observations. In theory, people who need strong visuals to understand things are usually fast talkers.
Aural Learner (Auditory-Musical)
Auditory learners learn best through sound, like music or podcasts. They memorize things using methods that involve listening rather than seeing. People who fall into this category of learning might even remember things better if they are able talk to someone, because by talking, they will be able to recall the conversation when needed. However, auditory learners tend to speak and read slowly.
Verbal Learner (Linguistic)
People who are verbal learners absorb information by jotting down or highlighting important information in their own words. They learn best through verbally explaining things to other people and vise versa. This group of learners have a great passion for words, both written and spoken. Career-wise, they tend to work in the field of administration, journalism, public speaking, and politics.
Physical Learner (Kinesthetic)
Different from the three learning methods mentioned above, people who are physical learners take in new information by touching and physical activities. In short, they learn better by doing and they remember things best by actually doing it. In terms of personality, this group of people tends to find it hard to remain in one place without engaging in any hands-on activities.
Logical Learner (Mathematical)
If you are always curious about things around you, you might be a logical learner. This type of learner is full of curiosity, so they tend to ask a lot of questions. And, they always expect logical, reasonable, and systematic answers in return. This group of people wants to seek understanding everything in the bigger picture. In order to do so, they usually organize and group information they’ve received. This leads to them being able to quickly see patterns when problem solving.
Social Learner (Interpersonal)
Social learners grasp information by surrounding themselves with other people, enjoying group learning rather than on their own. This kind of learner believes that knowledge is all about sharing. They feel they can learn best when people ask them questions or advice. For careers, this group of people are likely to work as teachers, counselors, or in human resources.
Solitary Learner (Intrapersonal)
People who value privacy and independence, this group of people concentrate on their learning best without other people’s company. To them, other people mean the start of distraction. In order to get the most from a lesson or absorb new information, this type of learner likes to spend time analyzing things alone. Most of the time, authors or researchers have this approach of learning.
This post is also available in: KH