Learning Styles

Have you ever sat in class wondering if you would ever grasp the information that was being
taught? Maybe the presentation didn’t fit your learning style.
Our minds and bodies gather information in different ways and from all around us: seeing,
hearing and doing. Then our brains process that information, organizing it and making
connections to things we already know. This process can also work in different ways. Do we
think in pictures or words? Do we remember details or the big picture?
When we are trying to learn, it helps to know how our brain works. How do we best gather
and organize information? Different people have different learning styles and techniques.
Everyone has a mix of learning styles. For example, one person might struggle with written
information but understand it immediately in an illustration. Another person might have
problems with the picture, but not the written text.
Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the
other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no
right mix. Nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as
further develop styles that you already use well.
Using multiple learning styles and multiple intelligences for learning is a relatively new
approach. This approach is one that educators have only recently started to recognize. Traditional
schooling used (and continues to use) mainly linguistic and logical teaching methods. It also uses
a limited range of learning and teaching techniques. Many schools still rely on classroom and
book-based teaching, much repetition, and pressured exams for reinforcement and review. A
result is that we often label those who use these learning styles and techniques as bright. Those
who use less favored learning styles often find themselves in lower classes, with various not-so-
complimentary labels and sometimes lower quality teaching. This can create positive and
negative spirals that reinforce the belief that one is "smart" or "dumb".
Psychologists have identified seven basic learning styles, you could be included in this style.
1. Verbal (linguistic)
These people learn by using words, both in speech and writing. To improve the verbal
style, you can use this following ways:
- Try the techniques that involve writing and speaking.
- Make the most of the word-based techniques such as assertions and scripting.
- Record your scripts using a tape or digital audio recorder (such as an MP3 player), and
use it later for reviews.
- When you need content aloud, make it dramatic and varied.
- Try working with others and using role-playing to learn verbal exchanges such
negotiations, sales or radio calls.
2. Visual (spatial)
 These people learn by seeing what you are learning. They prefer using pictures, images,
and spatial understanding. Some ways to improve the visual style, such as:
- Use images, pictures, color and other visual media to help you learn.
- Use color, layout, and spatial organization in your associations, and use many visual
words in your assertions.
- Use mind maps.
- Replace words with picture, and use color to highlight major and minor links.
3. Aural (auditory-musical)
Instead of finding music a distraction, these people learn well when information is
presented through music. The way to have good aural style:
- Use sound, rhyme, and music in your learning.
- Use sound recordings to provide a background and help you get into visualizations.
- When creating mnemonics or acrostics, make the most of rhythm and rhyme, or set them
a jingle or part of a song.
- If you have some particular music or song that makes you want to ‘take on the world’,
play it back and anchor your emotions and state.
4. Physical (kinesthetic)
These people use movement and physical activities (using your body, hands and sense of
touch). To help this learning style, some ways to recommend:
- Focus on the sensations you would expect in each scenario.
- For assertions and scripting, describe the physical feelings of your actions.
- Use physical objects as much as possible.
- Keep in mind as well that writing and drawing diagrams are physical activities.
- Use role-playing, either singularly or with someone else, to practice skills and behaviors.
5. Logical (mathematical)
These people learn by applying formulas and scientific principles, such as prefer using
logic, reasoning and systems. To improve this learning style, you can use these ways:
- Aim to understand the reasons behind your content and skills.
- Create and use lists by extracting key points from your material.
- Remember association often works well when it is illogical and irrational.
- Highlight your ability to pick up systems and procedures easily.
- Systems thinking helps you understand the bigger picture.
- You may find it challenging to change existing behaviors or habits.
- If you often focus from analysis paralysis, write ‘do it now’ in big letter on some signs or
post-it notes.
6. Social (interpersonal)
These people learn well by working with others or groups. The techniques to improve this
learning style are:
- Aim to work with others as much as possible.
 - Role-playing is a technique that works well with others, whether its one on one or with a
group of people.
- Work on some of your associations and visualisations with other people.
- Try sharing your key assertions with others.
- Working in groups to practice behaviors or procedures help you understand how to deal
variations.
7. Solitary (intrapersonal)
These people prefer to work alone and use self-study. They can learn best if they
associate new information directly with their own experiences. If you have this learning
style, you can use these ways:
- Align your goals and objectives with personal beliefs and values.
- When you associate and visualize, highlight what you would be thinking and feeling at
the time.
- You drive yourself by the way you see yourself internally.
- Modelling is a powerful technique for you.
- Be creating with role-playing.
- Your thoughts have a large influence on your performance and often safety.
Your learning styles have more influence than you may realize. Your preferred styles guide
the way you learn. They also change the way you internally represent experiences, the way you
recall information, and even the words you choose. You will often encounter situations that do
not match your strongest learning style. If you know what your strengths are, you can develop
strategies to balance your weakness, for a more successful learning experiences.