When it comes to education and studying, it’s important to recognise that each individual absorbs information differently. Therefore, each person should have a different preferred learning style and should, in theory, study differently in order to acquire the best possible result. Once these differences have been acknowledged, students can approach studying in the best way for their specific needs. This will result in students being able to study and retain information easier and faster than if they used ineffective methods.
In this article, we’ll discuss various learning styles and how to determine which is best suited to you as a student.
A learning style refers to your preferred and most effective way of processing, understanding, retaining, and applying information. It’s a concept that suggests that each of us has different cognitive and sensory strengths. These differences lead you to absorb and process knowledge in distinct ways.
Learning styles are not fixed traits but rather tendencies or preferences that can be influenced by a number of factors. These factors can include personal experiences, culture, and individual development.
The idea of learning styles assumes that tailoring teaching methods to match a student’s preferred style can lead to improved learning outcomes and better academic performance. However, it’s essential to note that the concept of learning styles has been a subject of contentious discussion among educators and researchers for a long time.
Perhaps the most famous learning style theory is the VARK theory, developed by Neil Fleming and his colleagues in the late 1980s. VARK is an acronym that stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic, representing four main learning preferences or styles that individuals may have. The theory suggests that people have different ways of processing information and that understanding these preferences can help to optimise each learning experience.
Based on the VARK theory, each learning style has certain identifiable characteristics and methods of study, which help students excel in their educational journey.
Kinesthetic learners, also known as tactile learners, thrive through hands-on experiences and physical activities. Therefore, if you are a kinesthetic learner you’ll typically prefer to engage with the material actively, using movement and touch to process information. As a kinesthetic learner, you’ll excel in learning environments that allow you to participate in experiments, simulations, and role-playing activities.
In order to study effectively, kinesthetic learners can incorporate certain study methods into their routines and approach.
Visual learners are individuals who best comprehend and retain information through visual aids, such as images, diagrams, graphs, and videos. Therefore, if you are a visual learner you possess a strong affinity for spatial information and will prefer to visualise concepts in your mind's eye. Chances are that when you are presented with textual information, you often translate that information into mental images to better understand and remember it.
As a visual learner, there are certain study methods and techniques that you can apply to improve your understanding and retention of information.
Auditory learners learn most effectively through sound and auditory input. They have a keen ability to process spoken information and are skilled at retaining information through discussions and lectures. Therefore, if you are an auditory learner you’ll notice that you often benefit from verbal explanations and enjoy group discussions where you are able to engage in active listening and verbal participation.
While this might not always seem possible while studying for an exam, there are ways in which you can incorporate these elements into your study methods.
Reading and/or writing learners have a strong preference for written information. If you are a reading and/or writing learner you’ll typically excel in absorbing knowledge through reading, note-taking, and writing. You’ll, therefore, prefer to process information by reading and organising it into structured, written formats. It’ll not be uncommon for you to take detailed notes and rely on the written word as a primary source of understanding.
There are certain study methods that will work exceptionally well for you and help you retain information easily.
While you might have already been able to determine what your preferred learning style is, it won't hurt to confirm your suspicions. It can be helpful to take a learning style assessment. Such an assessment will confirm which learning style best suits you and will allow you to personalise your study methods to achieve the best results possible.
You can easily access a learning style assessment here.