Learning Styles

Learning Styles

What Are They and Why Important?

Learning styles are the different ways people learn. Understanding and identifying your own learning style can help you learn, problem solve and make decisions in work. Read on to find out more about each style and learn how to identify your own learning style.

The 4 Most Common:

·       Visual Learning

Learning through seeing. If you use this style then you prefer using images, pictures and diagrams to help understand the content of a lesson. During a lecture visual learners will take lots of detailed notes to help them absorb and understand information. They will respond best to handouts, diagrams, videos, illustrated textbooks and use lists to help organise their thoughts. 

Auditory Learning

Learning through hearing This type of learner learns best through listening to lectures, discussion groups and simply by listening to what others say. Written information such as textbooks may have little meaning to this learner unless they read them aloud or use tape recordings to play back information. They solve problems by talking about them with others and use rhythm and sound as memory aids.

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learning

Learning through moving, touching and doing This learner uses the hands-on approach. They prefer to “jump in” and learn by taking something apart and re-building it to see how it works, rather than reading a manual or looking at diagrams. Sitting through a lecture is difficult as this type of learner finds it hard to sit still for long periods. They would much rather be doing something. 

Logical Learning

This type of learner uses their brain to reason things out. They break down and group information automatically to help them understand it. They work through problems and issues in a systematic and logical way. They set targets, create lists, use budgets and will track progress and back up points with logical examples or statistics. 

Most people use a combination of these styles but usually there is one that is more dominant.

If you would like to learn more about your own personal learning style, check out the web sites listed below:

Education Planner Learning Styles: The models, myths and misconceptions- and what they mean for your learning

The following site contains a Learning Styles Questionnaire that will help you to identify your own personal style and give tips to help you learn in a way suited to you. Vark Questionnaire

The following books may also be of interest:

Title:             Learning Styles Questionnaire: 80 item version

Author:          Mumford, Alan         

ISBN:            9781902899077

Found on Learning Centre Shelves at 658.312404

Title:             Ways of Learning

Author:          Pritchard, Alan        

ISBN:            9780415466080

Found on Learning Centre Shelves at 370.1523