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Effective Learning Style – What is yours?

Published 04/07/2014 | By info@intertag.com.au

Wikipedia states that a “Learning style is an individual’s natural or habitual pattern of acquiring and processing information in learning situations. A core concept is that individuals differ in how they learn”.

A common and widely-used model of learning style is Fleming’s (2001) Visual Auditory Kinesthetic (VAK) model.

Learning modalities are the ways in which we physically take in, process and remember information.

The three primary learning modalities are:

Visual – learning by seeing
Auditory – learning by hearing
Kinesthetic – learning by touching or doing

Visual Learning Style

Photo courtesy of Rob Unreall(CC ShareALike)

Visual learners need to read, see, watch and observe information – their eyes are the key to learning. They respond to information more effectively when they see it in either pictures, diagrams, video or demonstrations.

Visual Learners remember what they see rather than what they hear. They can remember images and prefer to read rather than listen.

On the down side they have trouble remembering verbal instructions and need an overall view and purpose of a project before they start. They can often tune out to verbal instructions and have difficulty paying attention.

To help Visual Learners, provide written notes and use colours to highlight important information. Use images to portray information.

Auditory Learning Style

Photo courtesy of Travis Isaacs(CC Attribution)

Auditory learners need to hear information – their ears are the key to learning. They are the opposite of Visual Learners and perform better when listening to teachers, instructors or participating in class discussion.

Auditory learners can follow instructions and like to have things explained to them. They like debating and group discussions..

To cater to this learning style, provide opportunity for class discussion and read any written information out loud in the class.

Kinesthetic Learning Style

Photo courtesy of maessive(CC No Derivatives)

Kinesthetic learners need to interact with information – their hands and bodies are the key to learning. They like to be actively involved in doing the work.

You can identify a Kinaesthetic learner because they will be taking notes or even drawing pictures or doodling while listening. They find is easier to remember things by doing them.

Students will be dominant in one of these modalities when it comes to learning yet probably engage two if not all of them.

It is easy to find a student’s main learning modality by asking these questions;

Do they prefer to be shown what to do? “Show me and I’ll know what to do”.
Do they prefer to be told what to do? “Tell me and I’ll know what to do”.
Do they prefer to just do it. “I’ll learn as I go and learn from my mistakes.”

Your Feedback is always appreciated.

The next time you find yourself in the classroom take note of when you feel the most comfortable, is it when you are reading something, hearing something or doing something?

A well structured training course will include all three styles.

Most reputable training organisations will ask you to evaluate the training session. This is a great time to ask that they include more of the styles that you feel comfortable with. Your fellow students will thank you!