Unlock Your Study Potential by Understanding Learning Styles | by Apprentice Support Team

Imagine this: you’re at a friend’s place, eating a delicious dish they’ve prepared. You ask them about the recipe. How would you want them to share it? Would you be happy to just be told about it? Or would you rather have them write it down on a piece of paper, or maybe even just cook it along with them next time? 

Your answer is likely to depend on your preferred learning style, which is, in a nutshell, how you can most effectively retain information. In this article, we'll explore the different learning styles and tips on how they can help you learn more effectively.

A very important thing to remember before we start: while it can be a useful framework for understanding how to approach learning, learning styles are not an absolute concept. You want to approach it with a critical eye and be open to trying different approaches to learning, even if they don't align with your assumed learning style. Learning styles represent a preference, not an absolute, and we oftentimes have a mix of preferences for learning styles.

What learning styles are… and what they’re not! 

Different individuals have their own preferred learning style, which refers to their preferred way of absorbing, processing, and retaining information. Understanding the different learning styles and adapting to them can make a significant difference in how well a person learns and retains new information.

This has been a popular topic for educators and learners alike for decades, and we can find a number of different frameworks and ways to classify learning styles across different research, breaking them down anywhere from four to twelve different categories. 

For the purpose of this article, we will focus on four of them, regrouped into one of the most popular frameworks, the VARK model, developed in 1987 by New Zealand teacher Neil Flemming. 

The model is based on the idea that individuals have different preferences when it comes to receiving and processing information. It is an acronym for four primary learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic.

• Visual learners prefer to learn through visual aids such as diagrams, images, videos, and other visual representations. They may struggle with instructions that are purely verbal or auditory in nature.
• Auditory learners, on the other hand, learn best through hearing and listening. They prefer spoken instructions and discussions and may have difficulty with written instructions.
• Reading/writing learners prefer written communication and textual information. They may take detailed notes and prefer to learn through reading textbooks, manuals, and other written materials.
• Kinesthetic learners prefer a hands-on approach to learning. They enjoy physical activities, role-playing, and other interactive learning experiences.

There are a number of tests online that could help you identify your preferred learning style. Now, it’s critical to recognise that learning styles are not set in stone.  In fact, you may find that you prefer a combination of learning styles, or that your learning style preferences shift based on the context of the situation. And just because you've always considered yourself a visual learner doesn't mean you can't benefit from trying out other styles as well. In fact, it's often beneficial to mix and match styles to find the best fit for a particular task or topic. So don't be afraid to experiment and try new things!

Now, onto the tips! 

See It to Learn It: Tips for Visual Learners

1. Use visual aids: Use pictures, diagrams, mind maps, or flow charts to represent information. They can be powerful tools that help you visualise concepts, relationships, and ideas.
2. Watch videos: Watch videos that explain the concepts you need to learn. Videos can feel more engaging and informative than reading material. 
3. Use flashcards: Create flashcards with images or symbols to help you remember information. This technique is particularly useful for vocabulary, definitions, and formulas.
4. Draw or doodle: Use drawing or doodling to create mental associations and help you remember information. Sketching out an idea, even in a rough form, can help you remember it more vividly.
5. Use colour: Colour code your notes or use highlighters to emphasise key points. Use bright colours for important information, and dull colours for less important material.
6. Create visual metaphors: Create visual metaphors to associate ideas with memorable images. For example, you could visualise a complex process as a machine with many moving parts.
7. Use animations or simulations: Use interactive simulations or animations to help you visualise complex concepts. This is particularly useful for scientific or mathematical concepts.
8. Practice visualising: Try to create mental images of the concepts you are trying to learn. This technique helps to reinforce the information and make it easier to remember.
9. Visualise information in real-life scenarios: Try visualising how you would use the information in a real-life scenario. This technique helps to create context and can make the information more meaningful and memorable.

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Hear, Hear! Tips for Auditory Learners to Tune In and Learn 

1. Use recordings: Replay the recordings of your delivery sessions, or record your coaching sessions, and listen to them later. This allows you to listen to them multiple times to reinforce your understanding.
2. Repeat and summarise: Repeat the information you hear to yourself, either out loud or in your head. Summarise the key points to reinforce your understanding.
3. Voice out mnemonic phrases: Create mnemonic devices such as acronyms, songs or rhymes to help you remember information. For example, "Please excuse my dear Aunt Sally" can help you remember the order of operations in maths (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division, Addition and Subtraction).
4. Use audiobooks and podcasts: Listen to audiobooks or podcasts related to the topic you are studying. This can help you understand the material in a different way and reinforce your understanding. 
5. Group discussion: Participate in group discussions or study groups to verbally discuss the information. This allows you to hear different perspectives and reinforce your understanding.
6. Use verbal cues: Use verbal cues to help you remember information. For example, if you are trying to remember a phone number, repeat it to yourself and break it into smaller chunks (e.g. 555-1234 becomes "five-five-five, twelve-thirty-four").
7. Teach someone else: This allows you to verbalise the information and reinforces your understanding. For example, hold a lunch and learn session at work on a topic you’ve learned recently - a great way also to add to your 20% Off the Job time!
8. Engage in active listening: Pay attention to the speaker and engage in active listening. Take notes and ask questions to reinforce your understanding.
9. Use background noise: Some auditory learners may benefit from background noise such as music or white and brown noise to help them focus.
10. Practice regularly: Practice listening and verbalising the information regularly to reinforce your understanding and retention.

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Write On! Tips for Reading and Writing Learners to Excel 

1. Take Notes: Taking notes can help you remember important points and ideas. Write down the most important ideas, keywords, and concepts, and use bullet points and short phrases to make it easier to remember.
2. Summarise in your own words: After reading a chapter or article, summarise the main points in your own words. This will help you remember the information and also help you identify any areas that you may need to review.
3. Use Mnemonics: Mnemonics are memory aids that can help you remember information. For example, if you need to remember a list of items, create an acronym or a phrase using the first letter of each item.
4. Practise Active Reading: When reading, actively engage with the material by highlighting important information, asking questions, and making connections to other ideas. This will help you remember the information and improve your understanding of the material.
5. Use Flashcards: Flashcards are a great way to memorise vocabulary, formulas, or other types of information. Write the term or concept on one side of the card and the definition or explanation on the other. Make sure to create your own rather than borrowing them, as the creation is also part of the learning process!
6. Review Regularly: Regular review is important for retaining information. Set aside time each day or week to read and review your notes, flashcards, or other study materials.
7. Write Out Key Ideas: Writing out key ideas can help you remember them. Try writing out key concepts, formulas, or vocabulary words multiple times to reinforce your memory. If you're struggling to understand a concept, try writing out an explanation of it in your own words. This can help you identify gaps in your understanding and solidify your comprehension.
8. Use Closed Captioning: When taking part in virtual meetings or discussions, or watching videos, turn on Closed Captioning to allow you to process information via text.

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Get Moving and Grooving: Top Tips for Kinesthetic Learners

1. Use hand gestures: Use hand gestures or movements to reinforce your understanding of concepts. For example, if you're learning about the project life cycle, you can use your hands to demonstrate the various steps and variations.
2. Try role-playing and simulations: Act out scenarios related to what you're learning in order to physically experience concepts. Part of this role play can also be about teaching back your recent learnings to colleagues or even friends. 
3. Use props: Use physical props or objects to represent abstract concepts. For example, if you are trying to wrap your head around a maths problem, use a physical object (such as rice grains) to visualise it. 
4. Create: Take notes and draw diagrams to help you visualise and remember what you're learning. You can also use a whiteboard to write out key ideas or concepts.
5. Take breaks: Kinesthetic learners often have a lot of energy and need to move around frequently. Take breaks to stretch, exercise, or engage in other physical activities to help you stay focused and engaged.
6. Recall past events: Make connections between what you're learning, your personal experiences and what happened in a given situation at the time. 
7. Keep active: some kinesthetic learners find it easier to memorise information when revising while standing, or moving around. You may even find it useful to utilise a standing desk or other alternative aid.

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In conclusion, it's important to recognise that everyone can benefit from an awareness of their own unique combination of learning style strategies and that there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to learning. While it can be helpful to identify your preferred learning style, it's equally important to be open to trying new strategies and experimenting with different techniques.

By embracing a variety of learning styles and techniques, you can expand your knowledge and skills in new ways, and ultimately become a more well-rounded and effective learner. So don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Go forth and explore the many possibilities of learning!

This article was written by the Multiverse Apprentice Support Team.