The 4 Styles of Learning
Did you know that you can retain information better if it is presented to you based on your individual learning style? Not all people learn the same, so an auditory learner may thrive during a lecture whereas a visual learner would need an associated graphic in a PowerPoint.
Fleming and Mills (1992) organized styles of learning into four categories: visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic. Identifying your own style of learning will help maximize your learning experience and information retention. Learn more about each style here or take the quiz to find your own.
Types of Learning
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Visual learning style
Visual learners prefer to get information via maps, diagrams, charts, graphs, hierarchies, and other devices. Though photos and videos are helpful, visual aids such as patterns and shapes that convey information are needed.
Auditory learning style
Auditory learners prefer information to be spoken or heard. These learners digest information best in the forms of lectures, group discussions, and talking through ideas. Saying things out loud helps them to better understand compared to thinking about it beforehand.
Reading and writing learning style
Reading and writing learners prefer to consume information by writing it down or reading about it. Learning with this style would include describing charts through written statements, taking written assignments, manuals, reports, and gravitating towards PowerPoints, internet research, lists, and lots of words.
Kinesthetic learning style
Kinesthetic learners prefer learning through experience, examples, and practice or simulations. These learners gather information from learning by doing, so recreating an experiment themselves would be the best strategy to remember new concepts.