Learning is a very important and personal experience. In the past, it was assumed that everyone acquired knowledge in the same way. However, researchers have found that there are several different learning styles that people use to process and retain information.
Even though every person is unique in the way he or she processes information, researchers have identified 7 different learning categories or styles.
1. Verbal (Linguistic)
Verbal learners tend to learn most efficiently by writing or under verbal instruction and usually excel with both. For instance, a verbal learner will read a definition of a word out loud or write it down several times in order to process the new information. They also like it when someone speaks the new information so they can process it. These are the people that typically go into writing, journalism, debating, and public speaking.
Here are some traits that verbal learners share:
- Enjoys writing and reading
- Communicates well in both spoken and written form
- Affinity to rhymes and tongue twisters
- Enjoys learning new words and having an extensive vocabulary.
2. Logical (Mathematical)
The majority of logical learners work in the scientific field, as mathematicians, or engineers. They’re always trying to understand the reason behind the material, find some sort of a system behind the concepts or skills, and see the bigger picture. Logical learners often enjoy doing brain teasers or playing games like chess.
Logical learners share the following traits:
- Easily performs complex calculations
- Groups and categorizes information to better understand it
- After coming up with a solution to a certain problem, they create a procedure for future use
- Making itineraries, planning agendas, and extracting key points from the material they’re learning. Logical learners like to be organized and neat.
3. Kinesthetic (Physical)
Kinesthetic learners need to be moving because they learn best by going through the motions of the skill or concept they are trying to grasp. In fact, they find it hard to learn something until they do it. Role-playing or drawing out diagrams is their favorite way to acquire knowledge. They’re also constantly speaking with their hands.
Common traits of kinesthetic learners:
- Enjoys exercise, sport, manual work, and outdoor activities
- Appreciates the physical world around them
- Enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles or making models
- Uses a lot of body language.
4. Visual (Spatial)
Visual learners learn best when they have a picture to help them process the information. For instance, a visual learner in a literature class might process the information better by watching a video or a film that adapts the literature it was based on, instead of listening to the literature being read aloud. They also tend to use mind maps and cues.
Here are some traits that visual learners share:
- Easily visualizes outcomes, plans, and objects
- Has a good sense of direction and spatial sense
- Affinity to doodling, drawing, and coloring
- Is good at using maps and hardly ever getting lost
- Have a good color balance.
5. Musical (Aural)
Musical learners are those that respond primarily to sound. They prefer using clever rhymes to memorize things or tend to learn through rhythms. For instance, a song might help them remember the alphabetical order of all US states. As expected, musicians fall into this category. This learning style is difficult to teach outside of music class, so it isn’t addressed in many schools.
Musical learners share the following traits:
- Prefers listening to music in the background when learning
- Finds that certain tunes invoke emotions
- Often hears songs and jingles in their head
- Having a good sense of rhythm and pitch.
6. Interpersonal (Social)
Unsurprisingly, interpersonal learners learn best in a group. When it comes to students, those that fall under this category tend to be involved in many different extracurricular activities. Adult interpersonal learners like working in teams and often ask peers for help or feedback.
Common traits of interpersonal learners:
- Enjoys group sports
- Feels good about hanging out with peers after class or work
- Is a good listener
- Prefers to work out issues in a group
- Other people often seek advice from them.
7. Intrapersonal (Solitary)
Intrapersonal learners prefer to be alone when they’re learning. This learning style might indicate that the person is an introvert, but that’s not always the case. Some pretty extroverted people can also prefer to learn alone. In general, intrapersonal learners are very concerned with outcomes and goals. You’ll often see them reading self-help books and/or sitting on their own when studying.
Here are some traits that intrapersonal learners share:
- Prefers to travel or relax in quiet places
- Prone to self-analysis
- Records and writes personal events and thoughts as a way to improve
- Thinks independently.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what type of learner you are, you can start applying suitable learning techniques to grasp skills and concepts faster and with ease.
Being informed about these 7 learning styles will help you (or your kids) be more prepared next time you need to learn a new language, concept, idea, or skill, regardless of the material.
For more great tips on all things related to college, check out the other blogs on College Basics.
Source: Online Bachelor Degrees
