Identifying Individual Learning Styles

Every student is unique. We all learn in different ways. The best teaching and study methods vary depending on what works for the student. It is important to identify these learning styles in order for the student to do their best academically. Listed below are different learning styles and how to identify those individual learning styles:

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic Learners learn best doing things and using gestures to learn. For example, if someone  is learning about cooking pasta, instead of just being told how, they would benefit most by actually cooking the pasta themselves. This hands-on learning is what works best for kinesthetic learners, and helps the material stick in their brains.

You can identify kinesthetic learners by seeing how physical a child is. If they seem to prefer being active with learning, and doing things rather than listening and seeing, then they are most likely kinesthetic learners.

Visual Learners

Visual learners learn best by seeing the material. Instead of listening to a lecture, visual learners do better with seeing what is being taught in front of them, whether it be pictures, worksheets, or just an outline.

To identify visual learners, look for students who prefer handouts or looking at pictures and videos. These students most likely are visual learners and gain the most information from seeing the material.

Auditory Learners

Auditory Learners learn the best from hearing the material. These students do well with lectures, or simply listening to lessons. Auditory learners take in the sounds around them, learning the most from what is being said.

You can identify auditory learners by looking for students who prefer to listen to the teacher explain it, rather than see it written. Auditory learners may often ask for explanations so they can get the auditory input they need.

It is important to identify these learning styles so that the student can learn in the best way possible for them. People can prefer more than one kind of learning style, which is important to find out as well. In order for students to do their best, individual learning styles must be identified and used to the student’s benefit.