Learning style is not only an important consideration when teaching a class, but can be very important for the student as he/she prepares to study for a class. For a teacher, the fact that most classes contain more than one learning styles makes teaching a challenge. Conversely, when a student understands his/her learning style, it allows the student to adapt to the method which best fits his abilities. Your goal as a student is to learn the material, and the ability to adapt to the learning tools that best suites you is vital. Consider three types of learners and how best to develop a learning style that works for you.

The visual learner learns primarily through written materials, and tends to take down a lecture word for word. A visual learner learns by seeing and takes in many factors in their quest to understand a class lecture. It is important for the visual learner to sit near the front of the class. He/she needs more than just a voice to motivate learning, but needs to see the teacher’s body language and facial expression. They are often distracted by movement and the present of objects within their field of vision. Visual learners are motivated by diagrams, pictures, drawings, overhead transparencies, etc. Often ribbed for liking books with lots of pictures, the visual learner does retain more information due to the presence of pictures mingled into the texts. Visual learners often do not participate much in classroom discussions because they concentrate on taking down an almost word-for-word note set. Study time is most effective in a quiet place, away from distraction and noise. A visual learner is hindered by study groups because they usually are noisey and unproductive. Their time is better spend working alone.

The auditory learner learns primarily through listening, discussion, talking and interacting. They tend to pick up on many things missed by other types of learners such as voice, tone, inflection, etc. Reading is not their forte and most reading assignments make little sense to them until they engage in the class discussion or hear the lecture about the material. The auditory listener can benefit from reading his notes and assignments aloud so that his auditory skills are brought into the learning equation.Study groups are most helpful to the auditory learner because the group allows for discussion, questions, and the ability to verbally interact with the material. When alone, the most effective study is accomplished by repeating keep concepts or recording and replaying the concepts to allow for auditory stimulation.

The third type of learner is commonly called the tactile or kinesthetic learner, and must touch, feel, move, and do something in order to grasp the content. This time of learner often makes the statement, “I learn best by a hands-on approach.” They are the explorer, the inquisitive person who wants to see for themselves. This need for a hands-on, active approach makes it more difficult for them to sit and listen to a lecture. The most effective study strategy for the tactile learner is usually to highlight and take notes on the material as you read. Think about what you read and try to apply the information in creative ways to real life situations. In every classroom, all three learning styles are present. Unfortunately, many teachers do not take student learning styles into consideration when planning their lessons. Therefore, it is more important that students understand their personal style. Your must learn to adapt the teacher’ style to your own style.
By Dr M Smith