Learning more is the secret to growing in life. To learn new skills in life is paramount but it calls a variety of learning methodologies to cater for individual differences among the learners.
Every learner learns differently. It is therefore crucial for the tutor/teacher to have a good understanding of the type of learners he/she encounter in daily life.
Why? Knowing the type of learners will help the teacher to choose the best teaching and learning techniques for efficiency.
In this article, I will highlight types of learners teachers meet in life and proposal of most suitable learning techniques or styles to use while handling the learners.
Here is detailed information on the common categories of learners, and possible appropriate learning techniques for each type.
1. ‘Visual’ Learners
This type of learner leans specifically to the basic sense of vision. This category of people learns best through charts, animations, graphics, and maps.
They are capable of condensing the information into visual perceptions or rather complex ideas into simple diagrams and retain them effectively.
Learning technique: Make and use flowcharts as short notes to memorize what you’re learning. What you are trying to learn put it down in the form of a flowchart in a logical manner.
2. Reading/Writing Learners
This forms the most categories of learners. It is the basic type of learner. It is also the most important and all of us have tried to learn by reading or writing.
These learners learn best through the aid of written information and cannot learn effectively by the use of flowcharts /diagrams and audios.
Such learners should try to write good and well-summarized notes and highlight the information that they will want to revisit later.
In case they are taking online courses, the best option should be those that have written transcripts alongside audio or video lectures.
3. Auditory Learners
This exploits their hearing ability to understand and retain information. They can absorb information in class even without eye contact.
Auditory learners often easily get offended or notice when the speaker changes his or her tonality.
They the ability to learner better through listening should be encouraged to listen to as many high-quality audiobooks on their topic of interest.
Such learners are also encouraged to record whatever they want to memorize in audios and then keep listening to them repeatedly.
Lastly, such learners can try speaking words to stimulate their hearing senses.
4. Kinesthetic Learners
They are application-oriented because they can connect theories and practical applications.
They learn best through information application. They constantly reflect on how to make information more practical and also easy to use.
They put less emphasis or interest on theory. They are poor readers. Instead of reading books, they face it and try to learn along the way.
The greatest challenge with this type of learner is waste more time trying to figure it out by themselves.
These learners should be advised to supplement their learning with a high-quality source of information (written, visual or auditory).
Do always expect to learn everything by yourself; it may lead to a waste of time.
5. Group/Social Learners
This is quite a common and interesting group of learners. They work best in a group surrounded by people that are trying to learn similar information.
They have a strong sense of teamwork and are always complimented with good leadership qualities.
Group or social learners are advised also to enrol in physical class courses and not online ones.
6. Multimodal Learners
Statistics indicate that multimodal learners make up to 60% of the population. This is a group of learners who can in-cooperate more than one learning style in learning.
They can adjust to different learning styles. Such learners learn and adapt easily to different styles of teaching.
Understand yourself and the most appropriate learning style.
