The Importance Of Different Learning Styles

Enrolling onto a course with a contrasting learning style may be counterproductive and turn out to be a waste of time and money.

It’s not just learners who have to consider this either. As a training provider, the way you deliver your course has to be particular to different learning styles. Whether you opt for an inclusive approach that appeals to most or specialises in just one learning style, you need to figure out the most effective way of course delivery to drive the best results.

But what learning style are you most suited to? And is it actually that important? Don’t worry if you’re not sure, this post will explain everything you need to know about the importance of learning styles and the differences between the varieties.

We’ll cover:

• The Importance of Different Learning Styles
• What is an Auditory Learner?
• What is a Visual Learner?
• What is a Kinesthetic Learner?
• Which Method of Learning is More Suited to You?

The Importance of Different Learning Styles

Learning styles emphasise how unique each person really is. What works effectively for one person, might not necessarily be the most suitable choice for another. People engage with and process information differently, which means there are various types of learning – even within the same course.

The key to excelling when learning is to find the perfect course that suits your learning style. For example, you may pick things up a lot quicker by listening to somebody talk about a chosen subject. That would make you an auditory learner. So choosing a course that includes lectures and Q&A sessions would be more beneficial than hands-on practicality.

The three main learning styles are:

• Auditory learners
• Visual learners
• Kinesthetic learners

When developing a new skill or increasing your existing knowledge, you’ll use a combination of the above-mentioned styles. However, you’re likely to be stronger in one of these areas and will depend on that one a lot more than the others. If you’re not sure what type of learner you are, we recommend that you use this free tool to work out which styles suit you the best. That way, you can position yourself better when choosing courses.

What is an Auditory Learner?

Auditory learners pick up information most effectively when listening to or hearing basic principles, theories and conversation. These individuals learn best when they understand and remember things that they’ve heard. The information is stored exactly as it’s heard and instructions are remembered a lot easier when spoken, rather than written down.

One of the key signs of auditory learners is that they’re often humming away or talking to themselves when on their own. We’re all guilty of that to a certain extent, aren’t we? You’ll also find yourself chatting to others at any given opportunity, this doesn’t mean that you’re not paying attention though – you’re likely to be hearing and understanding everything around you.

As an auditory learner, when looking for a course that suits your needs, we recommend organisations that propose lectures, expert talks and Q&A sessions. That way, you can engage your brain with the chosen subjects being spoken about, whilst remembering clearly the way things are being explained.

Tips for auditory learners to get the most out of their courses:

• Use flashcards for key points. Read them aloud to help the information sink in properly.

• Record your revision notes and play them back. Rather than having to read your notes back, you’re more likely to benefit from listening back to them and hearing them read to you.

What is a Visual Learner?

Visual learners acquire knowledge by reading or seeing pictures – they learn by sight. They form pictures around what they’re learning in their heads and learn best by using methods that are predominantly visual.

Visual learners are usually very organised and neat people – you’ll be able to tell this from the way that they work. Are your notes super neat and laid out immaculately? Then it’s likely that you’re a visual learner. Can you cope with scribbles and clutter on the page? Visual learners need things laid out perfectly to get the right image in their heads to remember things.

Visual learners are often distracted by noises and need quiet to be able to envisage the scenario. They often close their eyes so that they can get a clear picture of the information they’re being told and take everything in. If you’re a visual learner, it’s good to look out for courses that offer visual aids included in the syllabus – the majority of courses are more suited towards this style.

Some key tricks and trips to try out to enhance your learning as a visual learner are:

• Use different colours. When making your notes, colour code them! Not only does it look a lot more organised, but visual learners are attracted to colours, so it’ll make the information a lot easier to remember.

• Avoid all distractions when learning. So that you can create the perfect image in your head of the information being taught, remove any distractions. This includes any noises or physical items, such as your phone.

• Draw diagrams and pictures when learning new information. You’ll be able to easily relate to the information being taught.

What is a Kinesthetic Learner?

Kinesthetic learners are taught by doing. Practical work is one of the key pillars of a course that’s designed for kinesthetic learners. For example, apprenticeships are based in the classroom but also on-the-job training too. That way, students have access to all the methodology that they need and can then learn by putting it into practice in industry.

Kinesthetic learners take a more hands-on approach than other styles. They’re more comfortable learning by actually carrying out the task that they’re trying to learn to do. Without putting it into a real-life situation, they struggle to comprehend the information being fed to them and can quickly switch off if they’re not doing something to stimulate the brain.

You’ll find that this type of learner prefers to build, draw and touch when learning – as opposed to sitting there and taking notes. They can easily remember processes and methods when carrying them out, however, may find it difficult to walk through a method that’s been taught purely auditorily or visually.

Whilst it’s important for each style of learner to find the right course, kinesthetic learners MUST find the perfect match. Otherwise, they’ll disengage quickly and won’t make any progress if there’s no practical work within the modules.

Some helpful tips to enhance learning are:

• Use a computer where relevant. For the unavoidable methodology in modules, using a computer can enhance the touching sense, which makes it easier to consume required information.

• Take short and frequent breaks. Challenging the mind by carrying out practical work can be draining. Therefore, short and sharp breaks keep the mind switched on and on point at all times.

Which Method of Learning is More Suited to You?

Whilst it’s important to match your learning styles to a course, it’s also imperative that you find the right delivery method too. The most common delivery methods are:

Classroom Learning

Some courses are carried out in the classroom with a tutor leading the session. For example, first-aid courses and management classes are often done in classrooms and consist of group work. Classroom learning is perfect for auditory and visual learners, as they have the chance to listen to an expert, engage in helpful conversations and take in-depth notes.

On-the-Job Training

This method is widely used throughout a lot of industries that are targeted towards manual and practical jobs. Learning on-the-job allows a third-party to come into the workplace and coach you as you work. Kinesthetic learners will benefit from the practicality and will adapt to processes quicker when they’re actually doing the work – not just sitting there watching somebody else.

Online Learning

As technology continues to advance, online training is becoming more prominent than ever. It’s suited to everybody who has sound knowledge when using computers, plus, it can slot nicely into even the busiest of schedules. Obviously, there are limits on some practicality that can be carried out, however, useful exercises and online tasks plug this gap and help enhance the learning experience.

Finding the Right Training Provider is Crucial to Achieving Amazing Results

As you can see, there’s huge importance in researching the delivery styles of a course as a learner – and the most common learning styles within different industries for training providers. By carrying out this research, you ensure that you’re enrolling onto the right course that meets your needs and requirements.

The last thing you want is to start a course, only to find out shortly down the line that there aren’t any modules that are suited to your strongest learning style. You’ll likely disengage from the course and won’t give it your all. Likewise, for the training provider, you don’t want to fill your course with the wrong students who are likely to hamper your pass rates and your educational reputation.

By using Course Finder 365, you have access to thousands of industry-leading training providers, universities and colleges that’ll have an array of options to meet your every need. You can be sure to find the right option for you or your workforce. Similarly for training providers, partnering with us allows you to rub shoulders with industry leaders, plus, advertise your course to like-minded students who are wanting to better themselves.

For more information on how we help our partners succeed in finding their perfect match, grab your free copy of our Partner Pack today!

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