Introducing Learning Styles

Everyone has certain preferences with regards to receiving information. Some people prefer to learn solely by studying books, while some favour discussing ideas with others to assist themselves understand a subject or problem. Recognising what your requirements are is usually considered a great way to improve how you see and process new information. It’s really a very helpful skill for somebody still progressing through education.

This idea of “learning styles” is a subject of great importance and debate among educational professionals and academics through the years, with numerous models and theories arising consequently. Probably the most popular models may be the VARK model, which recognises three various kinds of learning style:

Visual – Describes individuals who choose to understand from written sources. This could include books, slideshows, charts and pictures.

Auditory – Describes individuals preferring to listen to and discuss new information. Which means that they sometimes favour educational formats for example lectures and workshops, using the former offering the opportunity to hear considerable amounts of knowledge as the other facilitates discussion, debate and group consensus.

Kinesthetic – Describes individuals who require to see the topic they’re being trained. What this means is they favour practical subjects where learning happens through real-world applying theoretical material where a student is permitted to consider a hands-on method of the topic. Bodily movement improves learning for those who favour this style.

These 3 learning styles cover an array of different educational activities, and many individuals will agree they have preference for a couple of styles over another. Understanding what your chosen learning style is can be quite useful, because it can help you tailor your personal learning towards your strengths, subsequently making education more efficient.

To be able to help students recognise their learning preferences, it’s been recommended that teachers will include within their lesson plans a number of activities over the three styles. Encouraging a comprehension of learning styles will also help students reflect better by themselves learning. Not simply will they understand where their strengths lie but additionally their weaknesses, that will permit them to begin to developing strategies to handle the tougher facets of their education.

However, you should observe that types of learning styles, such as the VARK model, have obtained some critique recently. One notable complaint continues to be that learning style theory unconditionally suggests we have one fixed or exclusive learning style that we have to adapt. This argument shows that focusing too narrowly on “inherited” learning styles can really damage our education, when really you should be developing learning strategies which supports us make the most from each kind of learning.

This argument highlights a well known misconception about learning styles being fixed and restricting. Actually, it’s broadly recognised that the very best learners utilize all learning styles, answering the requirements and advantages of each to increase remarkable ability to get and interpret new information. Possibly a great way that students may take would be to recognize where they stand with regards to learning styles, to enable them to tailor their education to take full advantage of their strengths whilst focusing on their weaknesses. This helps them pursue an adaptable and responsive attitude which, consequently, enables them to get the most from their education.