1. Visual (spatial)
Are you a visual learner?
Do you need to draw things out?
Are you constantly doodling? If you find it easier to understand something if it is in a diagram, you are probably a visual learner. Knowledge or concept maps use visual symbols as a way to express knowledge, concepts, thoughts or ideas, and the relationships between them. These are a great tool for visual or spatial learners as you can draw connections or use colour coding to group ideas.
By representing information spatially and with images, learners are able to focus on meaning, reorganise and group similar ideas easily, and utilise their visual memory to learn.
2. Aural (Auditory-Musical)
Are you an auditory learner?
Do you dislike reading?
If you need someone to tell you something out loud to understand it, you are an auditory learner. You depend on hearing the information to fully understand it, rather than just reading it from a book. Group discussions are a great way for auditory learners to grasp new ideas.
Auditory learners have the aptitude to notice audible signals like changes in tone, or pitch. For example, when memorising a phone number, an auditory learner will say it out loud first and take note of how it sounded to remember it.
3. Verbal (Linguistic)
Do you love words and writing?
People who find it easier to express themselves by writing
or speaking can be regarded as a verbal learner. You love to write and read.
You like to play on the meaning or sound of words such as tongue twisters,
rhymes and so on. You’re familiar with the definitions of many words and
regularly make an effort to learn more meanings of new words.
Techniques used by verbal learners involve mnemonics,
scripting, role playing and anything that involves both speaking and writing.
4. Physical (Kinaesthetic)
Are you a physical hands-on learner?
Are you a hands-on type person?
In this style, learning happens when the learner carries out
a physical activity, rather than listening to a lecture or watching a
demonstration. Those who have a preference for kinaesthetic learning are called
‘do-ers’ and much prefer hands on learning. Kinaesthetic learners make up about
five percent of the population.
5. Logical (Mathematical)
Do you have a logical learning style?
Are you great with numbers?
When you like using your brain for logical and mathematical
reasoning, you’re a logical learner. You easily recognise patterns, and can
connect seemingly meaningless concepts easily.
Logical learners often lean towards classifying and grouping information
to help them further understand it.
You excel in numbers and are fine with doing complex
calculations such as basic trigonometry off the top of your head!
6. Social (Interpersonal)
Are you a social learner?
Are you a people person?
Other learners prefer social or interpersonal learning. If
you’re at best in socializing and communicating with people, both verbally and
non-verbally, this is what you are; a social learner.
People often come to you to listen and ask for advice. They
do because of the apparent sensitivity you have to their feelings, moods and
even motivations. You listen well and empathize with what others are thinking
and going through.
7. Solitary (Intrapersonal)
Do you have a solitary learning style?
Do you prefer working alone?
You have a solitary style if you are more private,
independent and introspective. Your concentration is at its best when you focus
on your thoughts and feelings without the distraction of others.
Authors and researchers often have a strong solitary
learning style. However, having a good solitary grounding is evident for many
top performers in a range of fields. Being able to learn introspectively works
well with some of the more dominant learning style discussed above.