Learning Styles

People prefer to learn differently. One student may be partial to studying for an upcoming exam using an instructor’s podcast lecture while another student would rather study from the podcast’s transcript. These differences in the ways people prefer to learn are called learning styles. As you consider taking online courses, understanding how you learn best can help you study more effectively, communicate more efficiently, and help you develop your own ways to stay committed to your online classwork.

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WHAT’S A LEARNING STYLE?

The learning styles below refer to different aspects of learning. The first four describe the physical way content is delivered. “Logical” refers to how content is organized. The last two styles refer to the setting in which people prefer to learn.

  1. Visual. Prefer using pictures, images, and diagrams.
  2. Tactile. Prefer using body, hands, and sense of touch to draw diagrams, manipulate physical objects, or role play.
  3. Auditory. Prefer using sound, rhythms, music, and recordings.
  4. Verbal. Prefer using words, both in speech and in writing to assist in their learning.
  5. Logical. Prefer using logic, reasoning, and systems to explain or understand concepts, and have a good ability to understand the bigger picture.
  6. Social. Prefer learning in groups or with other people, and aim to work with others as much as possible.
  7. Solitary. Prefers to learn alone and through self-study.

As you read this list take it with a grain of salt. For starters, you are not restricted to learning one way. Just because you prefer to study while listening to classical music doesn’t mean you are incapable of learning without Beethoven. It’s just that you prefer to learn one way more than the other. Additionally, learning styles are not mutually exclusive. For instance, you may prefer verbal, logical, and social learning or you may look for visual learning in a solitary setting.

Long story longer, online courses will include content and assignments using multiple modes of delivery (video, audio, text, interactive activities, etc.). By understanding your learning styles and modifying them to best suit your needs and the requirements of the class, you will be prepared for anything that comes your way.