Advice Column

By Martin Allen

 

“In my time as a student, I’ve seen people and teachers tell me about different types of learners. How can I find my type of learning style?”

 

-George Maxwell, North Ryde

 

First of all, I would like to thank you very much for the question, and I hope that you find the following information useful. In order to understand your learning style, you need to know the seven main learning styles. If you feel that one of the following patterns resonates or clicks with you, then that is a pretty good chance that that style is your style.

 

Visual/Spatial learning.

This style of learning is for people who like to see their work and ideas. Many spatial learners love to draw and explain their inner machinations through visual expressions. These may be graphs, illustrations, infographics or diagrams.

 

Aural/Auditory-musical learning.

Auditory learning is the type of learning that revolves around hearing new information rather than seeing it. Group discussions, podcasts, lectures and sound repetition are things that can identify you as an auditory learner.

 

Verbal/Linguistic learning.

For all the public speakers and writers out there, if you’ve ever wondered what type of learner or why you have an affinity for words and dialects it’s most likely that you are a verbal learner, meaning all those things are how you’re brain best learns naturally. Physical/Kinesthetic learning.

Kinesthetic learning relates to the sense of touch and physical action to convey a message or lesson. People who learn kinesthetically tend to be more hands-on.

 

Logical/Mathematical learning.

Logical learning is a learning style centred around numbers and seeing the clear flow of how a process is executed. Logical learners group and classify information to help them understand the concepts they are trying to get a grasp on.

 

Social/Interpersonal learning.

This type of learner may feel most comfortable when they learn in a social environment, talking, discussing and communicating (both verbally and non-verbally) with other people. Social learners are very attuned to the social dynamics of a situation and may often find themselves in a confidant and advice-giving role.

 

Solitary/Intrapersonal learning.

Solitary learners are the people who like to study and focus without people around and find it easier to get a task done by themselves. Being able to work in solitude is often a pretty standard feat that most things will require you to have, but a solitary learner is the one that really shines in that environment.