Diverse learning styles

What are learning styles?

Learning style can also be described as a set of factors, behaviors, and attitudes that facilitate learning for an individual in a given situation. Styles influence how students learn, how teachers teach and how the two interact.

The VASK  acronym refers to four types of learning styles:  visual, auditory, social and kinesthetic.

How to identify your learning style?

Looking back at learning experiences you found particularly positive or useful can often help you understand your learning style. Consider the type of learning experience you enjoyed or felt you benefitted from the most and identify their components.

Visual learning style:

Being a visual learner entails thinking in pictures rather than in word's. Visual learners best by utilizing graphs, tables, maps, colors and diagrams. They also tend to learn holistically, instead of sequentially or in parts. One of the benefits of being a visual learner is easily seeing the big picture. As a  result, these learners may sometimes miss out on the details.

Characteristics of visual learners

• They are typically good at reading maps and charts.
• They can easily identify patterns in what they see.
• They tend to make lists to recall information 
• They are usually good at using flash card's and highlighting information.
• They are perfectionists and usually highly organized.

Auditory learning style:

The auditory learning style means a person learns best by listening. Music, video clips and conversations are their ideal way of learning. Auditory learners tend to do well in traditional school environment listening to cultures, and also contributing to discussions. Multimedia curriculum is also great for improving on their auditory learning skills.

Characteristics of auditory learners

• Talk frequently, to self and to others 
• Prefers spoken directions 
• Enjoy lectures and discussions 
• Remembers names not faces 
• Musically minded 

Social learning style:

These type of students learn best through communication with other's, whether it's verbal or non-verbal. Social learners love being around people, working in groups, teams and overall thrives through social interactions. They are often seen as social butterflies as they like spending much of their time with others. Social learners like sharing knowledge with others, but also love listening to their peers.

Characteristics of social learners

• They like to hang out with large groups of people 
• They are natural leaders 
• They prefer social activities 
• They struggle working alone, especially project's 
• They are vocal and are not afraid to ask questions 

Kinesthetic learning style:

Kinesthetic and tactile  learners are often one in the same. Both of the learners are very hands-on. They learn best by touching, moving, and physical doing. Kinesthetic-tactile learners may get fidgety in the typical traditional classroom setting.

Characteristics of kinesthetic learners 

• Are highly coordinated 
• Learn through hands-on activities 
• Have a hard time staying still 
• Lots of energy 
• May have difficulty staying attentive 

In conclusion, understanding your learning style is crucial to achieving academic success. Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses, you can adapt your studying methods to better suit your learning style. Better learning styles lead to improve academic performance, increasedconfidence and reduced stress.