Choosing Learning Content to Match Your Learning Style
Everyone learns differently. Your learning style refers to the preferential way you absorb, process, comprehend and retain information. Understanding your preferred types of learning styles can drastically impact your learning experience. Part of your responsibility as a learner is to find resources and content that best fit your learning experience. This article will cover the major learning styles and recommendations in choosing content based on learning styles. This strategy has been beneficial for me when I participant in Vialchelmy’s knowledge sharing sessions.
Major Learning Styles
The following are learning styles with a brief description and also ways you can enhance your learning.
Visual Learners
Description: You have a preference for the use of images and graphic organizers. You comprehend better when you can see and observe things( including pictures, diagrams, and written directions.)
Actions to support learning:
Make use of graphic organizers such as charts, sketch notes, graphs, and diagrams.
Develop your coding system by replacing essential words with symbols or initials.
Highlight important information in corresponding colors.
Create handouts and use presentations
Auditory Learners
Description: You better understand new content through listening and speaking in situations such as lectures and group discussions.
Actions to support learning:
Record your notes and listen to them as recordings.
Have a discussion with others to expand upon your understanding of a topic.
Read aloud your notes or tasks.
Pose questions to yourself and answer your questions.
Watch videos and use music or audiotapes.
Kinesthetic Learners
Description: You prefer to obtain information through tactile representations of information and movements. You like hands-on learning experiences and experience through actions.
Actions to support learning:
Connect to real-life examples and applications for abstract concepts.
Utilize pictures and photographs that illustrate your idea.
Create a presentation.
Act out a particular scene from a book or an imaginary play about a concept or learning.
Reading/Writing Learners
Description: You learn better when there are words. You see yourself as note-takers or avid readers. You find translating abstract concepts into words and essays enjoyable.
Actions to support learning:
Write and rewrite your notes.
Do a mindmap or sketchnote on main learning ideas and principles to gain a deeper understanding.
Find books and articles on related topics to extend the learning
Choosing learning content according to your learning style
Visual Learners
Auditory Learners
Audiobook
Podcast
Book club discussion
Kinesthetic Learners
Makery workshop
Give talks and presentations
Reading/Writing Learners
Book club
Books
e-Books
Conclusion
We hope that you have learned more about different learning styles and also how you might learn better. If you are looking for book club or knowledge sharing session, make sure to check out our next Vialchemy sharing session where you will find like-minded individuals to accelerate your learning.