As diverse as our personalities, our learning styles also exist in a myriad of forms. From those who benefit from visual learning to the ones who learn best in auditory form, each of us has a unique approach to absorbing and processing knowledge. In the guide below, we’ve dissected the 12 learning styles to enable you to better cater to a whole range of student needs. Ready to unearth strategies to make education a more engaging and enjoyable experience for all? Let’s do it!
1. Visual (Spatial) Learning
Picture this (pun intended): a learner who understands best when concepts are visualized. Spatial learners excel when information is presented in diagrams, charts, or any other visual form. These types of learners have an eagle eye for details and can better bind information to memory when assisted with pictures.
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2. Aural (Auditory-Musical) Learning
Ever met someone who remembers the lyrics of a song after hearing it once? That’s an aural learner for you! They’ve got a keen ear for sound and learn best when information is either spoken in rhythmic form or sung.
Learn More: Time 4 Learning
3. Verbal (Linguistic) Learning
Linguistic learners are your wordsmiths- the folks who thrive on written or spoken wordplay. They take pleasure in reading, writing, and even in the art of conversation. These learners are often adept at taking complex ideas and articulating them with ease.
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4. Physical (Kinesthetic) Learning
Kinesthetic kiddos are those action-packed individuals who prefer a hands-on approach to learning. These movers and shakers learn best when they can touch, feel, and physically interact with the material at hand.
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5. Logical (Mathematical) Learning
These are the problem-solvers, the pattern-seekers, and the logical thinkers. Logical learners thrive on clarity, reasoning, and complex calculations. When concepts add up with ease, these logical, often analytical, learners light up!
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6. Social (Interpersonal) Learning
For the social butterflies, learning is best accomplished when it forms part of a group activity! Social learners thrive on interaction where they’re able to bounce ideas off others and absorb knowledge through collaboration and conversation.
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7. Solitary (Intrapersonal) Learning
Intrapersonal learners, often introspective and self-reliant, prefer their own company when it comes to digesting new content. They reflect, analyze, and draw conclusions in solitude- with internal dialogues fueling their comprehension.
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8. Naturalistic Learning
Naturalistic learners flourish outdoors! They have an innate capacity to understand patterns, systems, and structures of the natural world, and often apply this understanding to their learning process.
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9. Existential Learning
Existential learners are the philosophers of your classroom- otherwise known as those who possess the ability to dive deep into abstract thought. They question things and frequently connect their learning to these big-picture thoughts.
Learn More: Mental Up
10. Multimodal Learning
Known as the chameleons of the learning realm, multimodal learners adapt their learning style based on the environment and task at hand. They’re able to flexibly shift between visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and other modes to optimize their learning feats.
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11. Active Learning
For active learners, knowledge intake is best achieved when it’s integrated into an energetic process. This type of student thrives on lively debates, group discussions, and any other form of active engagement. Simply put, they learn by doing!
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12. Passive Learning
These learners absorb knowledge like a sponge. They’re the listeners, the observers, and the ones who often learn by simply sitting back and taking in the information presented to them. Passive learners thrive when information is delivered in the form of lectures or demonstrations.
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