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Learning styles is an area that is quite valuable to consider in the context of teaching and working with students. In any area of learning and acquiring new information, and especially in classroom type settings, the various ways in which people learn and process information becomes an important consideration. The following article will seek to define and give brief explanation of various learning styles, examine what impact those preferences have on learning and the student, and consider various ways in which teaching and imparting of information should take into account the variety in teaching styles that exists.
The learning styles that will be considered here are sensory, intuitive, visual, verbal, active, reflexive, sequential, and global. These various styles all exist in couplets with an opposite on the spectrum. Thus a sensory style usually stands in contrast to the intuitive, visual contrasts verbal, and so on. Sensory styles of learning prefer concrete, factual information and respond well to practical and procedural information. Intuitive styles on the other hand prefer conceptual and theoretical information, and stress meaning over cold hard facts. A visual learning style likes to learn and process information through visual representations of information, and responds well to graphs, pictures and diagrams. A verbal learning style prefers explanations with words and word pictures, and would rather hear or read information to absorb it. An active learning style likes hands on processing, working in groups, and values manipulating objects, doing physical experiments, and learning by trying. Reflective learners enjoy thinking things through and figuring out problems on their own, preferring to evaluate options, think things through, and learn by analysis. Sequential learners prefer to process information in a linear, orderly manner and put together details into a big picture they can grasp. Global learners like to see the big picture first and then fill in details later, and therefore prefer a holistic and systematic approach.
The impact that learning styles have on learners is varied and extensive. All people have varied preferred learning styles and combinations of learning styles. All information processed is affected by the learning style the individual prefers. The ability to process and retain information will depend in great part on the particular learning styles that are in play. All styles have particular strengths and weaknesses, and although people have a default or preferred learning styles, at times we all must learn or process information in ways that is not natural or comfortable to us. Therefore, a learner cannot use learning styles as an excuse for forgetting or a justification for a lack of learning. However, understanding the various learning styles and particularly one's own learning style can be greatly beneficial in the learning process. Recognizing strengths and diligently working on strategies to improve in areas where one is weak will benefit any student.
The other important consideration is the understanding of learning styles for a teacher. Traditionally teachers seek to distill information in the styles that are in line with the ways that they process information, or ways in which they have been taught. Having a grasp of all of the various styles of learning helps a teacher to be more rounded in their approach to teaching, and incorporate strategies that will target all students. Considering the various learning styles will help teacher to teach to all preferences. To best serve both sensory and intuitive learners, teachers can give general concepts as well as factual data and facts. To accommodate visual and verbal learners, a teacher can incorporate both visual and verbal examples and tools. By giving time and activities that focus on experiential learning and evaluation and analysis a teacher can be sure not to miss active or reflective learners. Sequential and global learning styles will benefit from a teacher that seeks to give the big picture, but also communicate in a detailed, structured way. Learning styles are a key component to effective teaching. By understanding the various ways that people learn and process information, teachers can better meet those needs, and become more effective at communicating and imparting information.
