Educational researchers have studied the concept of learning styles since the 1970s. Although there’s still no definite consensus on how to categorize every learner into a clear-cut box, it is no secret that everyone is different. We all respond better to particular teachers or specific methods over others. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching, tailoring your mode of communication to suit your audience’s varied learning preferences is sure to yield better results.
7 Unique Learning Styles
Some theoretical models describe seven general learning styles. These include; visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social, and solitary. Each unique type relies on different regions of the brain to process new information. The majority of people employ a mix of learning styles, with some being more dominant than others. By adding a combination of media and changing gears with different activities throughout the progression of a course, an instructor is more likely to engage a wider net of student interests and strengths.
Visual learners tap into the occipital lobes at the back of their brains to make sense of new concepts spatially. By painting a mental image of the information presented, visual learners can digest the lesson. These types of learners benefit from the incorporation of diagrams, puzzles, videos, animations, and photographs to deliver a message, rather than just the use of words. Pairing a lecture with interactive visuals is critical for those who fall into this category.
Aural or auditory learners respond best to music and sound. Rhyming and sound effects are helpful and exciting for aural learners. Adding music to accompany visual explanations can improve an aural learner’s ability to interpret the mood and intention of the lesson. The temporal lobes of the brain help aural learners process information. Generally considered “good listeners,” auditory learners may care a little bit more about the way an instructor’s voice sounds, the background noises present during the lesson, and the volume of the speaker and sound effects. Being mindful of these aspects can help prevent an aural learner from tuning out.
For verbal learners, the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain focus primarily on speech. These oral learners pay close attention to words, whether they are listening to a lecture or reading instructions on a page. Reading and writing are clear strengths for verbal learners. They tend to have a better vocabulary than most and may enjoy tongue-twisters and acronyms as a way to understand ideas and remember new concepts. Oral learners do well in debates and with script-reading. Giving them opportunities to negotiate or explain a topic to others can enhance their ability to internalize it.
Instead of verbal (or linguistic) learners, many people are kinesthetic (or physical) learners. Physical learners enjoy practical application and working with their hands. Gestures and body language appeal to physical learners who tend to interpret concepts through their motor cortex and cerebellum. Role-playing, engaging in hands-on activities (such as labs or scavenger hunts), and taking movement breaks can help physical learners excel through distance learning programs. Even the motion of flipping through flashcards or drawing diagrams can give physical learners a chance to act out as they are learning to gain a better grasp of the material.
If you know a “math person,” there’s a good chance that they are a logical learner. Logical learners prefer to follow a sequential line of reasoning to form conclusions. Solving problems and learning through organized systems makes it easier for logical learners to understand new information or nebulous concepts. Give logical learners the task of classifying items, performing calculations with numbers, or checking off a to-do list to work their way through the curriculum. Logical learners find statistics fun and can be engaged in learning through brain games. Logical learners also value the deeper meaning of concepts. They would rather delve deeply into a topic rather than memorize information. Logical learners can also be called “left-brained.” This term references the highly developed left-side parietal lobe that assists them with problem-solving.
The last two types of learning styles include social and solitary. The limbic system, which manages emotion, plays a significant role in how social or solitary a learner tends to be. As the name implies, social learners prefer to work in a group. They enjoy bouncing ideas off of others and collaborating in teams. Social learners tend to be good communicators. Great activities for social learners include brainstorming with others, hearing others’ viewpoints and critiques, playing the role of teacher or a coach, or participating in games and activities that facilitate learning with others.
On the other hand, solitary workers are diligent at self-study. They prefer to reflect on ideas independently, perhaps through a journal or log. Self-improvement and goal-setting are priorities for solitary workers. They enjoy having time to research a topic and might be put-off by having to listen to others’ questions and discussions if they feel they don’t apply to them.
The Advantages of E-Learning
Exploring the limitless versatility of e-learning allows both solitary and social learners to become fully engaged. As an instructor, consider having the class take a learning style quiz at the start of your session to help guide the break-out groups and trajectories that you offer for students during the course. There are many ways to navigate the same ultimate knowledge base. Why not do in it in a way that makes the most sense to those who are just learning the new roadmap?
When done right, e-learning programs appeal to a range of learning styles, optimizing students’ ability to absorb and retain information. E-learning opens up opportunities for learning in diverse ways where traditional classroom settings often fall flat. E-learning also gives students the option to revisit sections at their own pace, take breaks as needed, and learn in their preferred environment.
Most experts agree that taking mental breaks every hour or so improves our brain’s ability to focus. In a traditional classroom setting, time constraints and scheduling can make frequent breaks less feasible. Teachers or trainers may prefer to power through and cram as much information into each session as possible. Even when offered frequent breaks, students may not have the opportunity to unwind and gear up for the next learning module within the confines of a campus or training center.
E-learning done from the comfort of home (or even while away on vacation) offers the ever-present option to take meaningful breaks. Students can get away from the computer screen to go for a walk outside, take a shower, exercise, or cook a meal. They can take the time they need to recharge before embarking on the next set of learning modules.
Having the opportunity to learn during any time of day (or night) through e-learning is also a significant plus. Some people are sharper in the morning, while others focus best in the evening hours. E-learning offers students the ability to make choices, such as when to focus on learning. It also allows for family obligations and caregiving schedules to be accommodated. With students of all ages and stages re-entering the education system or tackling that new job training, this flexibility is the wave of the future.
