When it comes to learning, we all have our own way of approaching tasks. Each of us has a particular mix of skills and preferences that enable us to grasp and absorb new information more easily. Although we use all our senses in the learning process, we tend to have a preference or better aptitude in a particular area.
This dominant aptitude or style is known as a learning style. Discovering your learning style helps you not only to understand your strengths and weaknesses, but also to find the optimal way to learn in the most enjoyable and effective way, enabling you to flourish in your personal, academic and professional life.
Your learning style could be the key ingredient in maximizing your learning potential!
So let’s embark on this exciting journey to understand your unique learning style. Get ready to unleash your inner super-learner!

Diverse ways of learning: defining learning styles

Your brain has its own way of working efficiently when it comes to processing, understanding and learning new information. This natural learning preference or style determines how easily and quickly you grasp something new.

A learning style encompasses a distinct combination of individual skills and preferences that determine how you perceive, gather and process information. It guides you towards the most effective study methods that will enable you to learn more easily and quickly.

Learning styles define the way our brains absorb and retain information. According to experts, your learning style can have an impact on your ability to memorize information, understand procedures, develop skills and apply specific abilities in practical situations.

In fact, your learning style influences various aspects of your behavior and cognition, including how you learn, collaborate within a group, think, relate to others, solve problems, communicate and work.

In short, learning style is like the prism through which your brain absorbs and stores information, affecting every stage of your learning journey.

“If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”

Ignacio Estrada

Exploring learning styles: Traits and strategies for every learner

When it comes to learning something new, what’s your preferred approach?

• Browse written material and read about the concept? 
• Absorb information by listening to someone explain the concept? 
• Observing or witnessing a demonstration of the concept?

If you find that drawing diagrams or creating mind maps helps you retain new information, it’s likely that you have a visual learning style. Similarly, writing down the concepts you’re reading about can improve your understanding and help you retain knowledge.

On the other hand, if you find that you absorb information best by listening, you probably have an auditory learning style, i.e. you consider spoken words, music, conversations and lectures to be the main sources of learning.

If you’re drawn to tutorials, hands-on demonstrations and learning activities that involve physicality or movement, you probably have a kinesthetic learning style.

By discovering your preferred learning style, you can adapt your learning methods accordingly, ensuring a more effective and enjoyable learning experience.

People don’t adhere strictly to one particular style, such as being solely visual, auditory or kinesthetic learners. Rather, they tend to integrate elements of several learning styles depending on the situation or context.

Visual learner: Learn by seeing and writing

Visual learners, who make up around 65% of the population, absorb and retain information primarily through visual stimuli.

Characteristics of visual learners :

• They absorb information best through visual elements and visually appealing materials.
• They excel at spatial reasoning and creating visual presentations.
• They enjoy books, magazines and reading material.
• They adapt better to written information, notes, diagrams, maps, graphs, flashcards, etc.
• They prefer to have a pen and paper at hand to take notes.
• They benefit from copying or creating their own notes.
• They need to see the instructor’s facial expressions and body language.
• They prefer a quiet study environment.
• They often see words as mental images or objects.
• They may have exceptional photographic memory.

Suggestions for visual learners :

1. Use flashcards as a visual learning tool.
2. Ask for handouts or written documents to visually follow information presented at conferences or meetings.
3. Watch videos or visual presentations to enhance comprehension.
4. Use highlighters, color coding and underlining techniques to visually mark important points in lecture notes or work documents.
5. Take notes and write down information to reinforce visual memory.
6. Create graphs and charts to visually organize and understand information.
7. Use post-it notes to record important points and display them in visible places.
8. Use diagrams with headings, subheadings and bullets to visually structure and navigate large amounts of information.
9. Create visual representations or diagrams to recall auditory information.
10. Use mind maps as visual tools to summarize and organize large amounts of information.

Auditory learner : Learn by listening

Auditory learners, who make up around 30% of the population, absorb and retain information primarily through hearing.

Trends in auditory learners:

• They learn effectively from lectures, audio books, oral presentations, music or verbal instructions.
• They prefer to read aloud.
• They have difficulty remaining silent for long periods.
• They follow verbal instructions more effectively than written ones.
• They are distracted by background noise and lose focus easily.
• They are able to present oral reports and explain concepts in the room.
• They repeat telephone numbers to help memorize them.
• They participate actively in discussions and debates.
• They tend to talk to themselves to process information.
• They easily follow oral instructions.

Suggestions for auditory learners :

1. Record lectures, meetings or important discussions and listen to the recordings again while taking notes on essential information.
2. Actively participate in class discussions, team meetings or work-related discussions to engage with the material.
3. Listen carefully to lectures, presentations or training sessions and take notes immediately afterwards.
4. Ask for clarification by having important concepts or instructions repeated, whether by teachers or colleagues.
5. Ask questions during lectures, meetings or collaborative work sessions to deepen understanding.
6. Repeat and explain concepts or instructions in your own words to reinforce learning and understanding.
7. Recite formulas, procedures or definitions aloud while studying or preparing for work tasks.
8. Read course notes, important documents or business papers aloud to reinforce auditory learning.
9. After reading books, reports or relevant documents, describe the content aloud to reinforce comprehension.
10. Record explanations or instructions relating to academic subjects or professional tasks, and listen to the recordings to reinforce knowledge and improve retention.

Kinesthetic learner : Learn by doing

Kinesthetic learners, who make up around 5% of the population, absorb and retain information primarily through physical activities and hands-on experiences.

Learning preferences:

• They learn by physically moving and actively performing tasks.
• They find it difficult to sit for long periods and prefer to stand, walk or use large motor muscles during learning.
• They remember information by using their senses, manipulating objects and using tools.
• They learn effectively through demonstrations and physical examples.
• They better grasp concepts when abstract theories are combined with practical experience.
• They experience learning through emotions, and remember the feelings associated with it very well.
• They thrive on hands-on teaching methods and interactive activities.
• They master skills through imitation, practice and repetition.
• They benefit from role-playing, simulations and real-life applications of knowledge.
• They prefer active participation to passive observation.

Suggestions for kinesthetic learners :

1. Divide study or work sessions into short intervals with regular breaks, focusing on smaller parts at a time.
2. Engage in hands-on, laboratory-based learning activities whenever possible.
3. Act out or physically demonstrate concepts or tasks studied or performed.
4. Reinforce knowledge by integrating field trips or hands-on experience into the learning process.
5. Study or work with a group of peers for interactive discussions and collaborative learning.
6. Create physical models or tangible representations to enhance understanding and recall.
7. Demonstrate principles or theories through practical applications and real-life scenarios.
8. Practice techniques or skills through hands-on exercises and interactive tasks.
9. Participate in simulations or role-playing to gain practical experience and enhance learning outcomes.
10. Find a comfortable position for studying or working, recognizing that this doesn’t have to be limited to sitting in a chair.

Experimenting with different approaches can help you discover new methods that match your individual learning style and improve your ability to acquire and retain information effectively.

But what if you have a strong preference for a particular style? 

It’s important to exploit the strengths of that style, but to really enhance your learning experience, it’s necessary to develop styles that are currently under-utilized.

For example, if you possess a visual learning style, you might encounter challenges with lectures. Knowing that, you can then benefit from recording your lectures and taking detailed notes as you listen. By reading through your notes, you can reinforce your learning effectively.

Benefits of knowing your learning style

Academic Benefits

• Personalized study strategies for more effective learning.
• Better absorption of information, making learning faster and easier.
• Improved test and exam results through personalized learning techniques.
• Reduced stress and frustration in learning experiences.
• Expanding existing learning and study strategies.

Personal Benefits

• Improved self-confidence.
• Better use of brain capacity for optimal learning.
• Knowledge of strengths, weaknesses and habits.
• Increased curiosity and motivation for learning.
• Exploitation of natural skills and inclinations.

Professional Benefits

• Knowing your preferred learning style enables you to better perceive your ideal work environment.
• Having a clearer vision of your strengths and weaknesses helps you choose your future career path.
• Up-to-date professional knowledge and skills.
• Competitive advantage over peers.
• Effective team management, adapted to each individual’s style.

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”

Anthony J. D’Angelo

Conclusion

When it comes to learning styles, there’s no right or wrong approach. Each style has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The aim of understanding your learning style is not to lock you in, but to empower you by enhancing your efficiency in work, learning, and daily life.

Tips for identifying your learning style:

• Take an assessment. A variety of online assessments are available and can help you determine your predominant style. 
• Experiment with different learning methods. By trying out different approaches to understanding the same subject, you can discover the style that best suits your individual needs. 
• Reflect on your past learning experiences. By examining your previous experiences of acquiring knowledge, you can identify the methods that have proved most effective for you over time.

There are many benefits to understanding how you process information most effectively. 

Knowing your learning style doesn’t limit you; on the contrary, it helps you become a more competent learner. You can leverage your preferred style in your daily activities to grasp new concepts quickly and effortlessly. 

Remember, there’s no wrong way to learn, so capitalize on your strengths when approaching the acquisition of new knowledge.

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