Everyone is different. We all have different personalities, interests, and tastes.

We even have unique

ways that we learn best. As a student, it is important to know your learning style. Experts believe that
learning styles come in four categories – those that learn best by looking at a picture, those that learn
best by listening, those that learn best by reading and writing, and those that learn best by doing. Of
course, a person can possess strengths in each of these areas, but typically a student will have one area
that is their dominant learning style. Read on to learn more about each style.

Kinesthetic - Kinesthetic learners prefer to apply what they know to discover new things. Kinesthetic
learners are most comfortable with real-world activities and increase their knowledge by making
mistakes. These problem solvers often employ other modalities such as reading, writing, and listening
but learn best by doing. They enjoy group activities and hands-on exercises. If you identify as a
kinesthetic learner, there are ways to incorporate your preference into otherwise non-kinesthetic
experiences. For instance, when listening to a lecture, draw diagrams or construct a model. Simply
moving around the room can improve a kinesthetic learner’s retention.

Visual - A visual learner understands new material when it is presented with charts, maps, diagrams, or
symbols. The information is represented in more than just words. This learner would have trouble
remembering verbal instructions and is more likely to look for the diagram of how something is done. A
great example of a visual learner is someone who, when asked to put something together, would prefer
to see the steps illustrated rather than read a set of instructions. Visual learners want the bit picture of
an idea before beginning a project. Visual learners may prefer art more than music. They would benefit
from using colors to highlight their notes, organizing information with mind-maps and flowcharts, and
using a wall planner or whiteboard to manage their time.

Auditory - Auditory learners prefer to learn new information by listening or speaking. Material should be
presented through lectures, group chats, discussions, podcasts, or music. These learners not only like to
have something explained verbally to them, but enjoy explaining things to other people to reinforce
what they have learned. You may find these students talking to themselves when learning and reading
aloud for better understanding. If someone identifies as an auditory learner, they should record lectures
or discussion and re-listen to them when studying. They may prefer to give oral presentations, either in
person or recorded, as a form of assessment.

Read/Write- Not surprisingly, most teachers and students fall into this category. Learners that prefer this
style are comfortable with the written word and communicate best when things are text based. This
learner enjoys reports, essays, and manuals. Like visual learners, this learner has trouble remembering
verbal instructions. They may be more apt to look something up and rely on written resources such as
encyclopedias, dictionaries, and the Internet to recall information. Since many employers seek
candidates with good written communication skills, this mode is particularly useful. Also, since our world
relies so heavily on the written word, the ability to read well and learn from reading can be useful in
today’s society.

As you can see, each learning style has a unique set of characteristics. Still many students are
multimodal. That is, they possess qualities of more than one learning style. Use the Internet to search
for a quiz so you can find out what learning style you predominately have. Then use that information to
assist you in learning new material and studying for your next test.