Learning styles describe the different ways people prefer to absorb, process, and remember information. Common categories include visual, auditory, reading and writing, and kinesthetic learning. Visual learners often benefit from charts, diagrams, and color coding. Auditory learners may understand ideas better through discussion, lectures, or spoken instructions. Reading and writing learners usually prefer notes, lists, and written explanations. Kinesthetic learners often learn best through movement, hands-on practice, and real-life examples. Although people may favor one style, most use a mix depending on the task. Understanding learning preferences can help students study more effectively and build stronger academic confidence. Learn more about which style suits you with these eight facts.
8 Learning Style Facts
1. 90% of teachers believe that students learn better if they’re taught in their predominant learning style. (Source)
Despite the popularity of this hypothesis, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support it. Scientists note that ability is not the same as preference.
2. Research suggests that learning styles are fluid, with preferences changing over time. (Source)
New research shows that people’s learning-style preferences can vary across subjects and even change over time. The best way for teachers to use these findings is to consistently vary activities and teaching styles.
3. The VARK model identifies four types of learning styles. (Source)
These four styles are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing. Other theories identify up to eight different styles. Some psychologists even believe there are up to 170 different learning styles. This goes to show how much we still have to understand about the ways humans learn.
4. The most popular learning style in America is social learning. (Source)
Americans in 20 different states self-identified as preferring to learn through communication and interaction with others. When combined with visual learning preferences, these two styles account for over 70% of Americans’ preferences.
5. Students should be wary of pigeon-holing themselves in a certain style. (Source)
Researchers warn that a focus on a specific learning style could hold students back from adopting new skills or cause them to miss out on opportunities to grow. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that a preferred learning style is the “best” way to learn something.
6. Some scientists believe that learning shouldn’t be easy. (Source)
Some scientists warn teachers against learning style theory, arguing that making learning too easy can damage long-term retention. Maybe learning and studying should be a challenge!
7. Neil Fleming introduced the learning styles model. (Source)
This New Zealand researcher introduced the theory in the 80s. He taught secondary school and at Lincoln University in New Zealand. He led learning-style workshops for 20 years and devoted his research to better understanding how people learn.
8. The learning style “myth” persists because it is intuitive. (Source)
Many people believe they learn better in their preferred style because certain methods catch their attention and engage them more. While the preference is certainly real, researchers continue to emphasize that this preference doesn’t actually lead to greater retention.
Featured image photo credit: Keira Burton
