Every day we learn new things, but sometimes it’s challenging to remember everything.
Over the years, there are many barriers in the form of attention span, memory, and other activities and responsibilities that can interfere with the learning process.
However, there are ways to surpass those obstacles with concepts of different learning styles.
Even though we are a relatively young online school, we’ve educated hundreds of students so far. Working with such an amount of students has brought us some significant insights and lots of teaching experience.
By following our pupils’ progress daily, we realized that their preferred learning styles differ.
Here at EduWW, we strive to adjust our teaching methods to meet the needs of different types of learners.
Some children have a dominant learning style, while others learn differently based on the circumstances. And while there are many learning styles theories, the most famous is the VARK model.
We all retain information in a different way, and that is why it is important to identify your learning style, which will boost your learning experience.
What is a learning style?
A learning style is a method of learning which is the most suitable for an individual. It determines the learning preferences and relates to how you assimilate information best. There are different types of learning styles.
How people learn differs from person to person, and the benefit of personalized learning is that you can have more than one learning style or mix them all together.
VARK Learning Styles model – The main 4
Every student has their own learning strategy on how to remember things more efficiently.
However, these 4 styles stand out as general classification of the majority of those strategies.
They are known as the VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing and Kinesthetic) model.
Visual
Visual learning style is one of the most common ways to help effective learning.
Students who prefer this learning method use:
- charts;
- maps;
- diagrams;
- tables;
- illustrations;
- other visuals to process information.
For example, in trigonometry, it’s always easier if you visualize the pyramid for math problem-solving.
Photos and videos are also considered as visual aids, but students mostly use shapes and patterns. For visual learners the most important thing is to visually make connections in study materials.
They say “ A picture is worth 1000s of words”. Visualizing a picture while describing it can be similar to remembering 1000 words of a concept you are trying to learn. That is the potential power of visual learning.
If you are one of those students who remember that the answer is located in the top left corner of the book and underlined in pink, but you can’t recall what it says – then you are probably a visual learner.
Tip: Use maps, outlines and charts – anything that would make the learning process fun and trouble-free. Coloring your notes with different pens and highlighters might greatly help as well.
Also, if you are artistic, try drawing lectures instead of writing, whenever you can. You will probably find it easier to read and remember information from pictures rather than notes.
Auditory
Auditory learning style is receptive, where students respond well to sound and music to better retain knowledge. Hearing or speaking the words makes lectures more understandable and easier to remember.
For example, when studying a foreign language, there are often group discussions and recorded lessons for learning and repeating.
Another example can be learning the lyrics of songs. If you listen to a song enough times, you can memorize the lyrics word to word regardless of how long the lyrics are. Keep that in mind if you are this type of learner!
A strong point of this type of learner is that they don’t hesitate to ask questions and speak freely in the classroom. In addition, they enjoy discussions and working in groups.
Tip: Whenever you get the chance, listen to an audiobook instead of reading a voluminous textbook. Similarly, when studying, you can record the notes instead of writing them down.
Feel free to initiate debates and discussions, as that might help you master the material faster.
Reading/Writing
This type of learner understands information best by reading and writing.
If you often find yourself writing out the material you’re trying to memorize – you probably belong to this group of learners. Instead of just listening during the class, take important notes and then re-read them frequently.
Students who use reading and writing as a preferred learning style excel at written assignments.
They best absorb the knowledge through writing a thesis, describing charts and diagrams, or taking written quizzes. Summarizing lessons in notebooks is usually their choice of action.
Tip: Write assignments and essays as often as possible, as they enable you to showcase all your knowledge comfortably.
In addition, ask your teacher to provide you with handouts of the essential information from the lesson. In that way, you will make sure not to miss the crucial facts.
Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic or tactile learners learn best by going through a motion or doing something manually. They are always first in the line to do an experiment or demonstrate something for the rest of the class.
If you prefer to learn with hands on experience, then kinesthetic learning style is definitely for you. These students enjoy exploring and seeing firsthand what they learn about in the classroom.
Hands-on activities are a way to go with kinesthetic learners. They like to learn through personal experience, practice, examples, or simulations. Recreating experiments by themselves helps them strengthen their knowledge.
Tip: Labs and experiments can help you better internalize specific ideas and topics. Similarly, you might enjoy reviewing school material while walking or even exercising.
That would enable you to release some energy and return fresh and focused. Whenever you can, use physical props. If you are studying the anatomy of the human body, use a skeleton or even your own body as a prop.
Other learning style variants
Aside from the VARK model, there are many different types of learning styles that are less well-known among student ranks.
Logical
Logical learners rely on logic and analytical skills to grasp a subject. They seek connections, causes, patterns, and results in their learning.
After gathering all the information, they create mind maps and organize all of the materials into a system, a model, a scheme, or a structure.
Tip: Turn information into systems or patterns. Use flowcharts, decision trees, and mind maps to break complex topics into cause-effect relationships. Ask “why” and “how” questions to deepen your understanding.
Organize your notes in hierarchical structures and use logic-based tools like spreadsheets or concept frameworks to model what you’re learning. Solving problems, making comparisons, or creating classifications can also help reinforce concepts.
Social
These types of learners prefer educational lessons that involve peer work or participation. With this method, they get the best of both worlds—socializing and a better understanding of the subject.
Cooperation is vital, as they gain many ideas from listening and talking to others.
This can also be used as a teaching method, with activities such as role-playing and sharing notes and stories.
Tip: Form or join study groups, where discussing concepts, asking questions, and teaching others can solidify understanding.
Role-playing, debates, or group projects also help them stay engaged and retain information. They benefit from talking through material rather than just reading or watching.
Solitary
Individual learners prefer to study alone and do not enjoy interacting with other students. They excel in independent work and develop a problem-solving mindset, usually keeping diaries of accomplished work.
Tip: Set aside a quiet, distraction-free environment to study alone. Keeping a learning journal or writing personal reflections on what they’ve learned can reinforce memory and understanding.
They benefit from setting clear personal goals and using tools like planners or apps to track progress privately.
What Type of Learning Style am I?
The answer often lies in how you naturally absorb and retain information. Do you remember things better when you see diagrams? Or do you learn better when you hear explanations, write notes, or physically interact with materials?
Reflect on your habits—do you enjoy working alone or in groups? Do you connect ideas through patterns, logic, or real-world examples?
Recognizing which methods help you understand deeply and retain knowledge efficiently is best done by trying them all and seeing which one fits you the best.
Teaching techniques at Education World Wide
Our whole education program was created with different types of learners in mind. We provide individualized learning experiences to all our students, thanks to our interactive and user-friendly platform. The platform itself contains exciting and engaging materials for all types of learners.
For instance, visual learners would enjoy watching captivating videos that are embedded on our platform. Colorful pictures and graphs are also there to make the lesson more appealing. Similarly, auditory learners would love to listen to audio lessons instead of reading long texts.
Children who learn best by reading and writing would shine in writing essays and other assignments. Lastly, kinesthetic learners would enjoy projects requiring skills and creativity, such as making different objects out of clay or cutting different shapes out of paper.
With self-paced learning on a 24/7 accessible platform and constant support from tutors, students are able to develop and take advantage of learning styles that suit them.
In Conclusion
Every person is unique, including their way of learning. It’s important to understand your learning style because it makes it easier to acquire knowledge, leading to better academic accomplishments.
And remember, while learning styles are still a valid way to improve your studying, adding hard work, commitment, and developing good study habits is the ultimate combo for a quality educational journey!
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How learning styles affect learning?
The best way to absorb information differs from student to student, and that’s why it’s important to know your learning style. Once you find it, it will make studying go smoothly and more efficiently, and it may give you some extra time for extracurricular activities.
How do you determine your learning style?
The best approach is to try various types a few times to see which one helps you be the most productive. You can also try combining them; it may be even more effective.
Are there really different learning styles?
For years, the learning styles theory has waited to be accepted. It took time for schools to acknowledge the uniqueness of students and that different learning styles are real and helpful for students in a big way.
How does knowing your learning style help you be successful?
By making it easier to obtain knowledge! Easing learning with study techniques will lead to better information retention, followed by motivation to try and study more. And the more you know, the more successful you will be!
