Different Learning Styles
Everyone has a
unique style of learning that works best for them. Understanding the different
learning styles can help both educators as well as students gain productivity. Learning
styles can broadly be categorized as social and solitary. While some people
learn best when on their own, others have better grasping and retaining power
when they study in a group. A vast majority of people do not fit in a single
category, but rather have a mixture of learning styles that they find effective.
The key here is that there is no single style that works for everyone. Identifying
what kind of a learner one is can greatly enhance results.
There are several
models that have been used to identify and describe different learning styles.
One of these, commonly referred to as VAK, divides the way people take in knowledge
by three different modes i.e. visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Visual learners
learn best by seeing, which means that they find learning with the help of
pictures, shapes, sculptures and paintings most effective. For auditory
learners, hearing what they are being taught is the best way to learn
something. According to the VAK model, this category includes listening
rhythms, tones and chants. Finally, kinesthetic learners, also known as tactile
learners, use methods like gestures, body movements, object manipulation and
positioning to learn. As in any other categorization, a lot of people learn
best through a combination of two or more of these modalities.
Another important consideration while
identifying different learning styles is the effect of environmental factors. A
common example of this is noise levels for learning. Some people require
complete silence to be able to learn effectively. However, for others, some
ambient noise helps them focus better. This is commonly observed in students
who prefer listening to music while studying, or those who are most effective
when studying in a public place like a coffeehouse. Another environmental
factor that affects learning styles is formal versus informal settings. For
some students, a formal environment, such as a study room with a desk and chair
is a key to boost their productivity, while for others, comfort and an informal
setting helps them learn better.
Learning styles are also impacted
significantly by how lessons are designed. Some students prefer a logical and
structured curriculum, where the previous lesson is related to the next one,
and so forth. Other students find it easier to learn in a more flexible
learning environment, where they are allowed to study what they feel like at a
particular time, instead of being bound by a rigid plan.
It is important for both students as well
as teachers, and everyone else involved in designing lessons to understand
different learning styles, and make an effort to accommodate a wide range of
styles both in the classroom, as well as outside the classroom.
