Learning Styles

Which learning style(s) represents you best?

Visual learners relate most effectively to written information, notes, diagrams, and pictures. Typically they will be unhappy with a presentation where they are unable to take detailed notes, to an extent information does not exist for a visual learner unless it has been seen written down. This is why some visual learners will take notes even when they have printed course notes on the desk in front of them. Visual learners will tend to be most effective in written communication, symbol, manipulation, etc.

Auditory learners relate most effectively to the spoken word. They will tend to listen to a lecture, and then take notes afterwards, or rely on printed notes. Often information written down will have little meaning until it has been heard – it may help auditory learners to read written information out loud. Auditory learners may be sophisticated speakers, and may specialize effectively in subjects like law or politics.

Tactile learners learn effectively through touch. Tactile and kinesthetic learners are often grouped into one category. However, kinesthetic learners employ more than simply touch.

Kinesthetic learners learn effectively through touch combined with movement and space, and learn skills by imitation and practice.

Conceptual learners learn by thinking things through, by asking and answering questions such as “Why is this important? How do we know? Why is it this way? What would happen if....?” These questions need not be asked aloud; rather a much more reflective form of learning takes place. Conceptual learners look for the larger picture. They try to create models, theories, and systems, and they look for patterns and make connections.