Learning Styles – The Complete Guide

When it comes to learning, it’s probably no surprise to discover that we all learn differently. Most teachers are very aware of the different learning styles and use a variety of strategies to help pass information on to students, like yourselves, in the classroom. However, it is possible to take matters into your own hands in order to improve your own learning. If you are aware of your own learning style you will be able to make your study and revision time much more effective, which will not only help ensure academic success, but leave more time for all the fun stuff!

Not sure what your learning style is?  Take the Quiz

Learning Style vs. Multiple Intelligence     Visual Learners     Auditory Learners    Kinesthetic Learners

A Brief Background of Learning Styles

Stewart and Felicitti (1992) defined learning styles as “educational conditions under which a student is most likely to learn.” We can also understand learning styles as the way in which information is absorbed, processed, understood and retained. Basically, we are looking at how people learn best. The way in which you approach certain tasks can be indicative of your learning style. For example, some people will always read the instructions before assembling a piece of IKEA furniture whilst others will dive straight into the assembly process and figure it out as they go. If both people achieve a safe and aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture, then no one approach is more beneficial than the other. However, by figuring out which approach works best for you will save you a lot of time a grief.

Learning Styles vs The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Firstly, we need to understand the difference between learning styles and multiple intelligences. Intelligence used to be measured as a single entity, using the results of a single test. The result was known as your IQ. In 1983 a man named Howard Gardner challenged this idea. According to Gardner, intelligence is “the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural setting.” Gardner formulated a list of seven intelligences, claiming that people have a range of intelligences that are often used in conjunction with each other. Multiple Intelligences are:

• Linguistic intelligence (word smart)
• Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart)
• Musical intelligence (music smart)
• Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence (body smart)
• Spatial intelligence (picture smart)
• Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart)
• Interpersonal intelligence (people smart)
• Naturalist intelligence (nature smart)

A few years later, in 1987, Neil Fleming initiated the idea of learning styles, calling it the VARK model. He created a set of systematic tests and help sheets to allow students and teachers to understand the various learning styles. He identified these as visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic (VARK). Quite often, as is the case here, read/write is omitted as a learning style, shortening the acronym further to VAK. The VAK model helps focus on student-centered learning and create valuable and constructive learning environments.

Learning styles are different to the theory of multiple intelligence. We can simply clarify them as such:

Multiple intelligences are the different ways of processing information and learning styles are the ways in which tasks are approached.

Despite the different definition and context, learning styles and multiple intelligences do have a relationship when it comes to learning. For example, many people who process information using linguistic (or verbal) intelligence are likely to be visual or auditory learners because they are good at, and like to use, the written and spoken word. However, this is an assumption and generalization, and therefore may not always be the case.

 So What is Your Learning Style?
This article will help you distinguish your preferred learning style and offers you a range of study tips and advice to help you get the most out of learning. The first step is to complete this simple questionnaire. Try and do this before reading the explanations that follow, and answer the questions honestly. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, this is designed to help you reach your full learning potential.

There is no right or wrong learning style, and you may find that whilst you favor one in particular, you use a combination of all three learning styles. Your preferred learning style may also change over time so it is important to develop a useful set of skills to help make your learning easier.
See our Learning Styles Quiz

Visual learners learn through seeing and like to use symbolism in different formats. They will often be able to compete tasks after reading instructions or watching somebody else complete it first. Map reading is often an easy task and they favor bright and matching colors.

Auditory learners learn through listening, questioning and discussions. They can remember spoken instructions and are often able to recall all the words to songs! Auditory learners can usually recall the specific details of conversations and you will frequently find them humming or singing a tune.

Kinesthetic learners learn through doing and enjoy practical examples, using trial and error, and using their senses. They take a ‘hands-on’ approach and are generally very good at figuring things out without having to read or hear the instructions. Their favorite subjects at school are those that involve being active, such as PE.

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