What are Learning Styles? Definition, Types, and Identify Yours

It might seem that all students have, more or less, the same abilities and will follow the lesson being conducted. Nearly all of them might also seem attentive and listen in class.

This is my experience that they all may pay attention and POSE to listen, whereas they absolutely have no clue about what the teacher is talking about. The reason is that children have distinct LEARNING STYLES.

Some students will, of course, follow the lesson, understand it, and learn the concept being taught. While others will struggle to keep up, as traditional teaching methods are not meant for them. Sounds bizarre?

It also took me a while to understand the idea of learning styles when I first started teaching. And now, there isn’t anything more important to me than my students’ learning style.

Wait, let me explain it to you.

Learning styles are the ways in which a person is likely to observe, analyze, and retain information from the environment.

Simply put, it’s the VARK model that is an acronym for Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic modes of learning. Neil Fleming, an educator from New Zealand, developed the VARK framework in 1992.

He and his colleague had observed how different students responded to lessons in the classroom. Later on, they concluded that while some students could understand and follow all 4 modes of learning.

• Visual: Some of them could understand better only when given a visual.
• Auditory: The same was the case with learners who responded to auditory information.
• Read/Write: Some students need to read or write information to retain knowledge.
• Kinaesthetic: Students who need hands-on experience to retain knowledge have a kinaesthetic learning style.

The concept of 4 learning styles demands that teachers create comprehensive lesson plans to equally meet the learning needs of all the learners in the classroom. 

To understand how the VARK model works, I’ll share the explanation and examples for each of them.

These are learners who understand better by looking at models, frameworks, and diagrams. It doesn’t necessarily mean that pictures, videos, and movies will make up for visual learning.

As much as they need to see the concept, it should also explain the connection between the ideas. Some examples of visual learning strategies I’ve used in the classroom are:

• Venn diagrams to make comparisons and overlapping concepts
• Flowcharts to explain a science experiment
• Symbols and graphs in geography to explain landforms and maps

Auditory or aural learners rely on verbal instructions in a lesson. Again, it is not to be mistaken with long, monotonous lectures in the classroom. An auditory learner also needs to speak what they’re thinking to filter through the concepts.

This also includes the repetition of a concept so they’re able to register it. The exchange of ideas through speaking and listening involves different strategies. 

• Listening again to the lectures after having attended them through audio recordings
• Collaborative work in teams to discuss ideas
• Pair work for peer-to-peer discussion

These students learn best when they read or write a concept that’s being taught. Such learners use their linguistic skills, coupled with the power of writing, to develop their understanding.

Both visuals and listening are ineffective for them as they need text to read or write for better learning. For these students, some ideas that work best in the classroom are:

• Taking notes during lectures
• Writing the descriptions of diagrams, graphs, and tables
• Written assignments and assessments

For learners who enjoy and learn through hands-on or experiential learning, they must use materials to understand concepts. The tactile form of learning involves handling material as well as personal experiences.

Kinaesthetic learners need multisensory techniques to see how something works. AI tools have enhanced the learning strategies for kinaesthetic learners. Let’s see how!

• Use of VR to simulate different learning environments and settings
• Playing basketball to prove concepts related to physics and math
• Creating a model of the Middle Ages to understand and retain historical facts

An exception to having 1 or 2 learning styles at a time is called Multi Modal Learning. It is either when learners are fast enough to apply all styles, or those who need extra time to learn a concept and go through each style at a time.

VARK Type 1

Some multimodal learners comfortably transition between the VARK styles of learning. Their learning style isn’t restricted, and they switch between the modes depending on the concept they’re studying.

They will rely on the auditory learning style for languages but switch to visual learning for math.

VARK Type 2

There are some learners who take time to grasp concepts when they’re being taught. Moreover, they might need to go through each of the VARK learning styles to understand a concept.

These multimodal learners eventually develop an understanding of the concept after they have thoroughly gone through each of the learning styles.

With the awareness about the different types of learning styles, it’s easier for you to decide what works best for you.

Here I’ll enlighten you with tips on identifying your individual learning style, which does magic for you!

If you do the following to assist your learning, then you’re a visual learner:

• Highlighting important text in neon
• Large chunks of text disorient you
• You draw diagrams to ease concepts for yourself

To identify whether your learning style is auditory, look for the following signs:

• The text seems burdensome to read
• You read aloud to listen to the text in your own voice
• You don’t like a noisy environment when learning

This is not a tricky one to recognise, I’ll tell you why. You’re a read/write learner if:

• You prefer having written text with you while presenting
• You enjoy reading and retain information through it
• You prepare notes extensively to study

You can identify if you’re a kinaesthetic learner if you do this:

• Constantly manipulate material like stress balls or fidget toys
• Enjoy movement and need frequent study breaks
• Get bored during lessons that are lecture-based

As complex as learning is, breaking it down into learning styles facilitates the process for teachers and students alike. Knowing the learning styles is the first step to identifying your own style. Next, you can examine your habits to understand how your learning functions. 

I read in a journal article recently that, “understanding and applying the visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinaesthetic models is a key approach to have an inclusive learning style.”

Once a student concludes on their style of learning, or that they can apply all 4 simultaneously, it will reflect in their academic success. There have been times when my students have guided me in understanding their learning style.

It’s probably time you guided your parents and teachers in identifying your learning style.