The way you learn can shape how well you understand and retain new information. The different kinds of ways that people best learn new information is called a learning style. Maybe you like reading textbooks and taking notes, or maybe you prefer watching videos or using diagrams. You might also learn best when you're up and moving around.
All of these are examples of different learning styles, and understanding your learning style can make a huge difference in how well you process information and how enjoyable the learning process is for you.
What is a Learning Style?
A learning style is basically the way a person prefers to take in, process, and retain information. Everyone has their own learning style, which is why some students do well with traditional lectures and others might have a really tough time. Your learning style explains why certain methods and strategies help you learn better than others.
There are many different types of learning styles, and no one style is better than another. It just shows how different people learn best in different ways. Learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. While there are some people who exclusively have one preferred learning style, most people learn best by using a combination of a few different types.
You might learn best through reading and writing, but also like to use visual aids such as graphs or charts to better understand complicated ideas. With that said, most people do have a primary learning style that helps them the most.
The Different Learning Styles
There are tons of different learning styles out there, but the four most common types are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing learners. We’ll break down each of these four types of learning styles so you can get a feel for what they are, and begin to think about which type of learning style you align with the most.
Visual Learners
A visual learner is someone who understands information better when they can see it. They like using images, charts, and other visuals to help make sense of ideas. These learners usually find it easier to understand things when they can look at pictures or diagrams that show how different parts connect. They often prefer looking at information rather than just listening to it or reading a lot of text, and they pay close attention to how things are organized in a visual way.
Auditory Learners
An auditory learner is someone who learns best by hearing information. They understand ideas more clearly when they listen to explanations, lectures, or discussions. These learners often prefer listening over reading or watching, and they may enjoy activities like group discussions or talking through ideas with others. Auditory learners remember information better when they hear it, and they may find it helpful to repeat things aloud to fully understand them.
Kinesthetic Learners
A kinesthetic learner is someone who learns by doing and moving. They understand information better when they can physically interact with it, through hands-on activities or experiments. These learners prefer learning in a way that involves action, like building, touching, or moving around. They often have trouble sitting still for long periods and may find it easier to grasp concepts when they can actively engage in the learning process.
Reading/Writing Learners
A reading/writing learner prefers to learn through written words. They absorb information best by reading texts like books or articles and by writing notes or essays. These learners often enjoy tasks that involve reading or writing, and they may understand ideas more clearly when they write them down. They tend to do well with traditional learning methods that focus on reading and written assignments.
Why Does Knowing Your Learning Style Matter?
When you understand your own learning style, you can adjust your learning strategies to match what works best for you. This can lead to more effective learning and better learning outcomes. If a student doesn’t know what their learning style is, they might equate their performance in a certain class to a lack of intelligence. Knowing your learning style empowers you to take on academic challenges with confidence. When you know what your learning style is, you will be able to tailor your study methods to be more efficient.
Understanding your learning style can also help when you're in a classroom setting. You’ll be able to identify what teaching methods work best for you and find ways to adapt if the class isn’t catering to your preferred style. If the class is mostly lecture-based and you’re a kinesthetic learner, you can find ways to incorporate movement into your study sessions—maybe by taking breaks to move around or using physical objects to help explain concepts.
Using Your Learning Style to Improve Your Study Habits
Once you’ve figured out your learning style, there are plenty of study methods you can use to match it.
Strategies for Visual Learners
Use charts, graphs, and diagrams in your notes. Try color coding different topics to make them easier to distinguish. Drawing pictures or mind maps can help you visualize how different ideas connect. If you’re studying English or history, find ways to visualize timelines or concepts through pictures.
Strategies for Auditory Learners
If you're an auditory learner, try recording your notes and playing them back. You can also join a study group and discuss the material with others. Listening to podcasts or using audiobooks related to your subject can also be beneficial. Group discussions and question-and-answer sessions with teachers are great ways to learn too.
Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners
If you learn best by doing, find ways to incorporate physical activity into your study sessions. For example, you could use flashcards while walking around or perform hands-on activities related to the subject you're learning. Subjects like science, which often involve labs or experiments, are great for kinesthetic learners.
Strategies for Reading/Writing Learners
If you fall into this category, your best bet is to write, write, and write some more. Taking detailed notes during lectures, summarizing chapters from textbooks, and even rewriting your notes can help. You can also create quizzes for yourself or turn the material into essays to solidify your understanding.
Learning Styles Aren’t Set in Stone
It’s important to remember that no one is locked into just one learning style. People will often have different preferred learning styles depending on what subject they’re studying for. You might even find that your learning style changes over time. What worked for you in middle school might not be as effective in high school, and the strategies you use in high school might need to evolve when you get to college. This is perfectly normal, and it’s one reason why being flexible with your learning methods is so important.
Learning Styles in the Classroom
Teachers can also benefit from understanding students’ learning styles. When they are aware of the different ways students process information, they can incorporate a variety of teaching methods into their lessons.
During class, a teacher might combine lectures with visual aids like slides and diagrams, and hands-on activities or role-playing. This way, auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners are all getting to interact with the content in a way that suits them best. By addressing multiple learning preferences, teachers can create a richer and more inclusive learning environment.
Some teachers even use questionnaires at the start of the year to better understand their students’ learning styles. This way, they can adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of the class. If most students are tactile learners, the teacher might include more hands-on projects. If there are many auditory learners, group discussions or podcasts might be more common in the lesson plans.
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