What Are Learning Styles

People tend to perceive information in different ways and this has an impact on how we learn. For example, some people are visual learners, they learn better if they can “see” the information. Other people may learn better through hearing, or touch. Although each of us is able to learn through all of the different learning styles, a person will learn and retain information easier through their learning style.

Most people will learn through more than one learning style, however, they will learn best through a specific style. This is not to say the will not combine different ways of learning, for example, although someone may learn best through seeing, they may find that both listening to a lecture and seeing the words together provide the best way for them to learn.

Why Are Learning Styles Important

Understanding your learning style is certainly important in a school setting. It can help in studying for upcoming tests by giving you concrete aids, such as note cards and visual cues for visual learners or by listening to taped recordings for auditory learners.

In addition to studying, understanding learning styles can help improve other areas of life. Communication with a spouse, child or a friend can improve if you understand both people’s learning styles. For example, if your child is a visual learner, using visual aids to communicate instructions can help them to better retain the directions you have given them.

The activities we choose to participate in and our jobs are also impacted by how we learn. Knowing and understanding learning styles gives information on how someone solves problems and generally relates to information and other people. 

Learning Styles 

Although learning styles impact many different aspects of a person’s life, the following information is based on a person’s learning style as it relates to classroom learning.