Not everyone learns the same way.
Educators and others who present
information to learners can enhance the effectiveness of their lesson
plans and instructional activities by incorporating strategies that appeal
to students across all types of learning styles.
Visual Learning Style
Visual learners retain knowledge best by what they see. This learning
style is sometimes referred to as spatial. Visual/spatial learners retain
more knowledge from the use of charts, graphs and spreadsheets than
from oral lectures or other more auditory teaching aids.
These types of learners should use notes that they can read and review
later on.
These types of learners should use notes that they can read and review
later on.
Computer-based training modules and other types of visual aids can
enhance their comprehension.
Flashcards are also a great source of learning for visual style learners. A
visual learner can maximize the use of flashcards if they are responsible
for creating and reviewing them.
Visual learners can benefit from organizing material, as this will require
them to examine information closely.
Memory tools like visual chains and mnemonic devices can be very
useful for visual learners.
Auditory Learning Style
Auditory learners gain the most knowledge from what they hear.
Lecture and discussion methods can be effective with people who prefer
to learn this way. Teaching strategies that involve the use of music or
other forms of sound can also be beneficial to auditory learners.
Auditory learners should be encouraged to summarize orally what they
have read after they have read it. This will allow an auditory learner to
hear the information, so they can get a better handle on it.
Auditory learners tend to retain information from funny little jingles that
they make up or that can be taught. Jingles, songs and poems spoken
aloud can help auditory learners remember dates and events of
importance.
Videos or audio recordings may help auditory learners to gain the
necessary knowledge that is required of them in a given setting.
Study groups where topics can be discussed and debated aloud can also
help auditory learners grasp the information they are learning.
Physical Learning Style
Physical learners tend to retain knowledge the best when they learn
through hands-on activities and when they move around while learning.
This learning style can also be referred to as tactile,
kinesthetic or haptic learning. It is more difficult for the tactile learner
to retain knowledge by reading a textbook, either to themselves or aloud,
than it is for other types of learners.
When tactile learners must comprehend textbook material, they should
be encouraged to get up and move around the room while reading.
Additionally, they can be encouraged to move their hands or tap their
feet while they are otherwise sitting still.
Computer usage can help tactile learners by allowing them to use their
sense of touch.
Tactile learners can have a hard time sitting still and focusing, but
concentration can sometimes be improved by allowing them to sit in the
front of the classroom where there are fewer distractions.
Comprehension can be enhanced by allowing tactile learners to point
things out as they explain concepts, allowing them to exaggerate their lip
movements, or having them learn from auditory sources that they can
listen to while they move around.
This type of learner can learn concepts by putting them to a beat and
being allowed to tap out the beat as they recite what they need to know.
Verbal Learning Style
Verbal learners tend to learn best through the use of words, including
via reading, writing and speaking. They tend to learn well when
provided with opportunities to discuss, explain, present, or write about
information they are learning.
Writing essays and other activities that involve writing, such as
journaling and summarizing, can be very effective with verbal learners.
Outlining textbook content or notes can be beneficial for verbal learners.
Having opportunities to present information aloud, such as through
reading essays or delivering speeches, can be helpful to people who
learn this way.
Word games, such as crossword puzzles, anagrams and word searches,
can be a particularly effective activity for verbal learners.
Encouraging learners to follow along in a book during lectures can be
beneficial for verbal learners.
Small group discussions can be beneficial to verbal learners, especially
those who also tend to enjoy opportunities for social learning.
Logical/Mathematical Learning Style
People with a logical/mathematical style tend to learn best through
finding patterns or otherwise organizing information into logical
structures. This applies to all learning, not just math class.
When presenting verbal content to students, organize it in ways that
show the relationships between different concepts.
Include data and statistics relevant to the subject matter that is being
covered in lessons.
Provide specific examples of ways in which the information can be used
for practical purposes.
Assign projects or worksheets that involve sorting or organizing
information into categories, classifications or taxonomies.
Include some content analysis type projects, in which students seek out
occurrences within the text. (For example, have students look for
occurrences of certain types of language usage in a work of literature in
addition to the more traditional interpretation-focused activities).
Social Learners
Social learners are sometimes referred to as interpersonal learners.
People who prefer social learning tend to learn best when they have
opportunities to collaborate and engage with others as they are learning.
This style is not so much about how a person best processes information
but is more focused on how they prefer to engage with others during
learning. Social learners may be visual, auditory, physical, verbal
learners, or logical learners. What they have in common is a preference
for collaboration.
Social learners tend to thrive when they have opportunities to participate
in group projects or other collaborative learning opportunities.
Group discussions that provide opportunities to share perspectives and
discover what others think are appealing to those who have a social
learning style.
Small group or team activities are particularly appealing to social
learners.
Social learners also tend to like to work with study buddies.
In remote learning environments, being able to chat with other learners
and see others via video can be very important for social learners.
Solitary Learners
Solitary learners are sometimes referred to as intrapersonal learners.
As with social learners, solitary learners may prefer visual, auditory,
physical, verbal, or logical approaches to acquiring new information.
What solitary learners have in common is that they prefer to learn
individually rather than through collaborating with others. They would
rather study on their own than be assigned to work with a study buddy.
Solitary learners prefer assignments and activities they can perform
individually, so be sure to assign tasks that can be completed
individually.
When assigning group work in class, specify the amount of time
allocated to the activity so solitary learners will know when it will end.
Allow for choice when it comes to collaborating. For example, for some
projects, allow students to choose to work on their own or with a partner
or in a small group.
When it comes to sharing in class, allow students to volunteer rather
than forcing the matter, especially when the content is personal (such
as reflective writing). This will allow solitary learners to opt out of
situations that they find demotivating or uncomfortable.
Meeting Learner Needs
It's important for teachers to use differentiated instructional
strategies that incorporate elements that will appeal to all learning styles.
Not only will this help improve the learning experience for all students
by ensuring that their preferences are considered, but it will also help
individual learners expand their capabilities beyond their own natural
tendencies. While individual students may have a preference for a
certain approach to learning, it's important for everyone to develop a
well-rounded approach to learning.
