4 Types Of Learning Styles
Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but whoever hates correction is stupid.
We all experience the world in unique ways, 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, in part because their unique learning style hasn't been
activated.
1. Visual learners
How to recognize visual learners:
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 smart board 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:
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 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:
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: 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.