What are the Different Learning Styles?
Identifying different learning styles, their validity in education, and how they can be used for educational purposes.
Introduction
Every learner is different, and not everyone learns the same way. The concept of different learning styles exist because there should be different ways of teaching that allows one to learn. In total, there are seven different learning styles. They are as follows:
- Visual
- Auditory/Aural
- Kinesthetic
- Social
- Solitary
- Logical
- Verbal
Are Learning Styles a Myth?
There are some which debunked them as a myth. In other words, the idea that everyone can learn only one way is false. They are not a myth in the sense that there are different ways to teach, and learners are able to grasp information through a variety of different methods (ex. charts, oral lectures), and many learners use a combination of different learning styles to process information. Therefore, it is a myth that every learner can only benefit from one type of learning style. In fact, many learners benefit from several learning styles. For example, a learner could benefit from a visual-type of learning style, and they could simultaneously benefit from a logical-type of learning style. On the contrary, the concept of a learning style can cause more harm than good if the learner is not open to adapting to other learning styles.
Several articles such as this one from The Atlantic highlight how learning styles, more specifically, the VARK/VAK questionnaire attempts to put learners in a box by labelling them with only one type of learning style. This, in turn, makes learners believe that they will only learn if they are accommodated based on their learning style, and this does allow them to be open to adapting to other learning styles. Furthermore, the article argued that there is a lot of evidence which suggests that no learner fits into one learning style. The article highlights several studies which prove that one’s education should not be confined to one way of learning.
What is the Solution?
It is important to acknowledge the existence of different learning styles, because there are different approaches in education so that everyone can learn. Being exposed to this does not mean that every learner can be labelled with only one learning style. In order to be fully educated, a learner should be exposed to all learning styles, and gradually learn to adapt to all of them. Not every learner will adapt all of them right away.
Types of Learning Styles
Visual: Includes the incorporation of visuals such as maps, charts, lists, or tables. A learner who is able to process information by looking at visuals.
Auditory: Includes the incorporation of sounds, and spoken words, such as lectures, speeches, or any component which requires one’s ability to hear. A learner who is able to process information by hearing.
Kinesthetic: Includes the incorporation of actions such as building, destroying, or creating. A learner who is able to process information through actions.
Social: Includes the incorporation of social activities including group work. A learner who is able to process information by socializing with others.
Solitary: Includes the incorporation of individual activities where one is required to be alone. A learner who is able to process information when working alone.
Logical: Includes the incorporation of logic-based activities, including activities with shapes and numbers. A learner who is able to process information with information that is organized through steps.
Verbal: Includes the incorporation of reading, linguistic, and writing activities. A learner who is able to process information by reading, writing, or speaking.
Conclusion
The idea that a learner can be identified with one preferred learning style is an outdated one, because this does not allow the learner to explore other learning styles. Furthermore, this does not allow the learner to acknowledge that an individual can benefit from several learning styles at a time. These should be acknowledged, and every learner should be given the opportunity to explore all of them.
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