Learning Styles: What Is The Right Learning Style For You And How Do You Take Advantage Of It?
You may never have heard of Learning Styles. But, even if you don't, you're probably got a general idea of the learning style that's best for you. For example, you may know very well that it's hard for you to absorb new information by listening only, but once you move and start working, the information gets firmly in your head faster.
Or you may like to listen to audiobooks, but you can't afford to read a paper book! What you describe yourself when learning new things is what we mean by the learning style.
Theories About Learning Styles
In fact, there are many different theories on the subject of learning styles, and here are two of the most famous of these theories:
1. VARK model
One of the most famous theories or models of learning styles is the VARK model, which is an abbreviation of the four basic learning styles:
- Visual.
- Auditory.
- Reading/ Writing.
- Kinesthetic.
It can be really frustrating to sit in a classroom without understanding why you can't understand the lesson. You know you're not stupid, but you seem unable to get the information into your head.
You may have another problem, you may find yourself able to absorb the lesson excellently from one teacher while failing to understand the simplest information from another teacher!!
If you've ever felt such feelings, it's mainly up to your learning style. Once you understand how and why you learn in a certain way, you can improve your learning experience, and that feeling stupid or foolish will disappear completely.
Simply put, you can defend yourself and your own way of learning.
2. Memletics model
Another theory or other model of learning styles is the so-called Memletics, which combines two main words: Memory and Athletic.
This theory takes its foundations from its predecessor (VARK model) but adds some other learning styles, including visual, auditory. kinesthetic style as well as:
- Verbal.
- Logical.
- Social.
- Individual.
It is worth noting that there is a lot of overlap between the learning styles in this model due to the nature of its categories. For example, individual learners (who prefer to learn alone) can be either logical in learning or more inclined to oral style.
It is very common for everyone to have a predominant learning style over the rest of the styles, but it is rare for everyone to have only one style. The vast majority have a mix of multiple styles.
Let's get to know these styles better, and discuss their most important features and how best to enhance them:
First: visual style
Do you remember going into the exam room one day, and then thinking to yourself, "I don't remember answering that question, but I remember keeping it red in my notebook!"?!
If you did, it's because you're a visual learner. Visual learners remember what they see more than anything else. This may include videos and photos, for example.
Visual learners are better at dealing with graphics and graphs, and often see "words" as shapes or objects.
In other words, when a visual learner sees the word "apple", for example, he will immediately imagine the shape, color, and possibly taste of the apple as well.
Visual learners usually use the right side of the brain to process the information they receive.
Benefits of visual learning style
One of the most important benefits of visual learning is that the brain processes visual information much faster than rigid texts. So, if you're visually educated, you'll find that you can take a lot of information and remember it very quickly because you prefer this method of data processing, which the human mind is already naturally proficient in.
What are the ways to write information down in visual learning style?
During the study, the visual learner prefers to use one of the following:
When taking notes, they arrange them in visual styles. They may therefore use graphs or graphics. They may separate the page into master sections, and most use multiple colors to shade important notes.
The Most Suitable Jobs For Visual Learners
Visual learners are often attracted to areas of technical knowledge or stem, which refers in short to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Examples of jobs suitable for this type of learner include:
- Photography.
- Construction.
- Graphic design.
- Décor design.
- Architecture.
How do you use this style for a better learning experience?
Here are some tips to help you make more use of your visual learning ability:
1- Use colors
The first step is by using colors during the study process, you can write notes in different colors, or, for example, shade dates in blue and names in yellow.
Colors are your weapon, use them by any means you think are suitable to better remember information.
2- Drawing
Instead of expressing your thoughts by writing, you can simply draw them. Instead, write down steps to resolve a particular issue, expressed in illustrations. Here again, use colors to enhance your ability to remember information.
This method is not only effective in scientific subjects or mathematics, but you can use it in learning language and literature.
Let's say, for example, that you have a complex paragraph that you have to analyze, instead of trying to save it or read a detailed explanation of it, how about you draw a painting that expresses its content?!
3- Charts and Graphics
It is a very effective method, especially in scientific subjects such as mathematics and science. But you can also use it in other materials such as geography!
Always try to represent numbers and statistics in the form of charts and drawings, which will help you better analyze and remember them. With available technologies, you can use various software and applications for this.
Second: Auditory Style
Do you talk to yourself sometimes when you're thinking? During school? Or during the arrangement process? If you are, you're probably a hearing learner!
The owners of this style learn better by listening. This may be by hearing information from outside sources, or by hearing themselves talk. They often volunteer to answer questions in the classroom or to participate in classroom discussions.
Benefits Of Auditory Learning Style
Auditing learners have a great advantage in the classroom because they are not afraid to express their opinions, ask questions and get answers. Unlike those with a literacy-based learning style, they may only realize that they have a question when they return home and review their observations.
What are the ways to write information in the auditory learning style?
Any form of listening would be an effective way for this type of learner. Some of these methods may include:
- Seminars.
- Audiobooks.
- Discussions.
- Oral processing of information.
Auditing learners excel in storytelling and speeches as well. Many prefer to work and study in groups because they can then talk and share information. This makes them Social Learners according to the Memletics theory.
The Most Suitable Jobs For Auditing Learners
Any job that requires a lot of listening and/or conversation will probably be very suitable for the auditing learner. These functions include, for example:
- Radio and television broadcasting.
- Areas of rights and law.
- Education.
- Treatment of speech and language problems.
- Consulting.
How do you use this style for a better learning experience?
If you are an auditing learner, you may want to try some of the following techniques or methods in your study, which help you achieve better results:
1. Audiobooks and Text-to-Speech
It's a very great way, whether you want to acquire or benefit from the habit of reading in academic study. You can record your lectures instead of writing them, or find an audible copy of your course instead of suffering to read and save the paper version.
2. Socratic Seminars
It is a kind of panel discussion, in which students lead the dialogue. In this case, the teacher asks a set of questions for discussion, and the students take over the dialogue. By sitting in a loop and enjoying a more open atmosphere, more students join the discussion.
If you are an auditing learner, you may want to lead such discussions. This will allow you to shine and get rewards for what you say. But you have to be careful, you may also get into trouble as a result of what you say.
Choose your words carefully!
3. Debates
Pre-prepared debates are a great way for auditing learners to communicate their ideas. Try to organize discussions on different subjects with your friends and colleagues who enjoy it and take advantage of it to save and store information.
Third: Reading/Writing Style
Do you get your mind off when you listen to a lecture? Do you tend to read the text or get information from a book instead of hearing it?
If you are, you are probably educated in the reading/writing style, as this type of learner acquires information better by reading or writing.
They often agree with the famous saying of American novelist Mary Flannery O'Connor: "I write because I can't figure out what I'm thinking until I read what I said."
For reading/writing style learners, oral information will enter from one ear and out of the other! So they prefer to see the information written in front of them on the board or through presentations on PowerPoint or others.
What are the ways to write information down in the reading/writing learning style?
Methods of noting information for this type of learner include:
- Lists and notes.
- Written notes.
Some students may resort to rewriting their notes or adding a description/comment to the photos. They will probably choose paper books instead of audio. They will choose to show the words written under the videos.
The Most Suitable Jobs For Reading/Writing Style Learners
The most obvious and common functional option for reading/writing style learners is, of course, writing, but it's not the only one. Other functions that owners of this style can do are:
- Editing and scrutiny.
- publicity and announcement.
- Search and translation.
How do you use this style for a better learning experience?
If you are educated in the reading/writing style, the following methods will help you achieve better results in your study and undoubtedly increase your performance:
1- Take advantage of the summaries
Whatever subject you want to save or understand, you can always write summaries of the most important ideas and information. Writing notes in detail is a good way to remember subjects.
2- Read more
Even if your teacher doesn't assign you reading duties, you can do it alone, always try reading more about the subjects on your curriculum, or any other topics of interest to you, you'll find that your stock of information is getting bigger.
3- Convert graphics and charts into words
Being reading and writing as an essential way to learn can be difficult for you to understand a lot of graphs and charts. But that does not mean that there is no solution to this problem.
You can simply express these graphics in words or text descriptions, making it easier for you to save and remember this information.
Fourth: Kinesthetic Learning Style
Are you the first to volunteer to explain a particular practical experience in the classroom? Do you feel that you need a practical application with your own hands to understand the information instead of seeing someone do it or reading details about it?
If you are, you are undoubtedly a kinesthetic learner! kinesthetic learners achieve better results when doing something, or when moving their bodies and combining it with what they learn at a given moment.
What are how information is recorded in the style of kinesthetic learning?
The best way for kinesthetic learners to write and save information is through practical experiences, as well as other methods such as:
- Watch live videos.
- Make field trips.
- Integrate the learning process with any other form of movement.
This type of learner is often bored listening to lessons and lectures, and they are the ones who notice the use of hands and body movement more than other learners.
The Most Suitable Jobs For Kinesthetic Style Learners
Functions that allow physical activity and body movement are a great choice for a kinesthetic style learner. This type of learner often expresses their inability to stay in one place, and office jobs do not suit them. So they tend to have jobs like:
- Sports professionalism.
- Agriculture.
- Carpentry.
- Physical therapy.
- Mechanical works.
How do you use this style for a better learning experience?
If you are a type of learner, the following methods will definitely help you increase your study efficiency and achieve better results:
1. Field trips
Even if your school or university doesn't organize field trips, you can do it yourself!
It doesn't have to be an expensive trip to a remote location, for example, you can visit a nearby factory to learn about the manufacturing mechanism of a particular product, or tour the museum to learn about history and civilization. You can also go for a short walk and think of a foreign language if you want to develop your language abilities!
2. Study intermittently
Kinesthetic style learners are known to have a relatively short attention span during the study. But that does not mean that they have to study less than others.
The best solution is actually to study for shorter periods and take shorter breaks as well.
It may be difficult for you to study for an hour, but it's easier and even more productive if you take five-minute breaks every half hour, for example.
3. Do something while studying
It's like clicking on the table with a pen, pressing a ball to relieve stress or anything else that satisfies your hands' desire to do something, making sure it's not distracting.
4. Use music
It is usually noted that kinesthetic learners can maintain their attention with music in the background. Although this is a constant topic of discussion and varies from person to person, playing some quiet music in the background can have a positive impact on your performance.
Fifth: Memletic Model Styles
In this model, we will focus on the following three styles:
1. Logical style
Individuals who excel in mathematics and possess logical analysis skills often have a logical learning style. They notice patterns quickly and can link information together even if it seems irrelevant.
How do I use this style for better results?
If you have a logical style of learning, you can enhance your ability and competence to acquire and remember information by searching for the purpose and purpose of the subject in your hands. Don't waste your time saving by heart, instead explore the links between different information and make sure you understand the details of the subject well.
Use methodical thinking methods to do so, not only will they help you understand the relationship between the parts of the course, but will also enable you to understand why each part of the course is important.
2. Social style
Learners with a social learning style usually have strong oral and writing skills. We find that they can speak comfortably with others and understand their views. For this reason, people often seek help and advice from social learners.
This type of learner does well when working with groups, and they always have the opportunity to meet their teachers individually. If you enjoy studying with others and like to express your thoughts aloud, you are undoubtedly socially educated.
How do I use this style for better results?
The best way to take advantage of this learning style is by working in groups. If there are no formal classroom groups at your school or university, create them yourself!
3. Individual style
Learners of this type prefer to study alone. They are not dependent on others and do not seek help to solve their problems. They also always analyze the methods they use in the study.
Because they prefer to work alone, they are sometimes likely to waste a lot of time before they turn to seek help, but this style is often effective for students.
How do I use this pattern for style results?
If you prefer to study alone, here are some tips to help you make the most of this study style:
- Find a quiet place to study.
- Don't isolate yourself completely from others, it can make you involve yourself a lot and forget the outside world around you.
- Feel free to ask someone else for help or advice if you have a difficult problem that you have not found a solution to. Keep a notebook to write down your diary.
- Link your work or study to your personal life, so you can have more fun and raise your motivation to learn.
What Is The Best Education Style In The World?
In fact, it cannot be said that there is a better style of education than others. All the styles we've talked about in this article are different ways in which the brain processes the information it reaches. Each style has its own pros and cons, and the trick is for everyone to know their dominant style and thus benefit from it in achieving better results.
So have you been able to identify your own learning style? Have you known ways to help you exploit it better?
Share your opinion with comments on social media platforms, and don't forget to register on our site to get you all new!
Sources: education corner, the study gurus
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