1

Introduction
“Learning styles” refer to individual differences in cognitive functioning
and academic skills. This concept reflects differences in teacher’s personality,
genetic and experiential differences. It mediates between motivation and
emotion, on the one hand, and cognition, on the other.
Learning styles are the preferred mode according to which different
individuals learn; the more specific terms may be regarded as the
predisposition to adopt a particular learning strategy regardless of the specific
characteristics of the task. Keefe (1979) defines learning styles as the
«composite of characteristic cognitive, affective, and physiological factors
that serve as relatively stable indicators of how a learner perceives, interacts
with, and responds to the learning environment». Several studies have been
carried out since the eighties of the last century on these issues (Kolb, 1984;
Dunn & Dunn, 1999). However, a serious lack in methodology can be
highlighted in this research field, for the difficulty to identify and measure
cognitive styles.
It is in discussion, then, if these measures are really indicative of
cognitive traits stable and generalized. From a practical point of view, at
school it is important to learn how to use different strategies according to the
tasks and situations, acquiring adequate cognitive flexibility. So, many
educational programs are designed to help teachers support pupils towards
learning goals through knowledge and control of their cognitive functioning.
Fewer studies concern variables related to teachers, their representations and
their learning styles.
 2

1. What Are Learning Styles?

Everybody is different. It's a mantra that all good teachers take to heart.
But understanding how to best teach your students takes a lot more than the
simple acknowledgment that they're each different. You have to know your
students, and know how they work. One way that students can be described as
different from each other is their learning style.
Learning styles are theories that try to separate students by their
different and optimum methods of learning. For example, some learning style
systems separate people into visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners
(learners who prefer receiving knowledge visually through listening, and
through physical touch and doing).

Some learning style models split things up far more, including social
modes of learning, learning through musicianship, and others. But the goal is
the same: to find a structure to explain why students have different
preferences for learning, and why teaching something one way can be best for
 3

one student, while teaching something another way can be best for another
student.
Learning styles have been adopted across the teaching world, but
learning style theory is still controversial. There are many criticisms. People
argue that learning styles don't fit our understanding of how the brain stores
information. Others point out that research suggests there may be an optimum
way to teach a particular topic, rather than the same style always being best
for a particular student. And rather than focusing on your best learning style,
perhaps you should focus on your worst, and try to improve your ability to
learn in every style.
These criticisms are all quite valid. So does that mean we should
forget the whole thing? Certainly not. Even if the idea of learning styles has
flaws, there are still many clear reasons that employing learning styles in your
classroom will be beneficial to students. In this lesson, we're going to review a
few of those reasons.
 4

2. The VARK Model

Education continues to promote learning styles as a way for teachers
to support students and differentiate lessons. While there are multiple
models related to learning styles, the VARK model is among the most
widely used since it sufficiently addresses learner diversity and needs.
The VARK model stands for:
 Visual
 Auditory
 Reading/Writing
 Kinesthetic

The following information goes into detail about the VARK learning
styles, how to recognize these styles in learners and how to integrate the
style into classwork. It is good to remember that not all learners fit exactly
into one category. There is often overlap in learner preference when it
comes to style, especially across subject matter and activity.
 5

2. 1 Visual Learning
Recognizing visual learners: The visual learners in your classroom
like to see and observe the things that they are learning about. Visual
learners like to use pictures, diagrams and written directions to access
information. This learning style has also been known as “spatial.” The
students who are visual or spatial learners might draw, make lists or take
notes in order to interact with and process information.
Assignments could ask learners to make pictures or diagrams. In
addition, providing class notes or handouts that students can follow along
with are a great way to integrate visual learning into your curriculum.
Visual learners may have a tough time with lectures and could need more
time to process information that they hear auditorily.
 6

2.2 Auditory Learning

Recognizing auditory learners: The auditory learners in your class
learn best by listening and relating information to sound. These are students
who prefer listening to a lecture or a recording rather than taking written
notes. They may also be students who think out loud and speak through a
concept in order to dive into it. Your auditory learners are most likely your
most vocal students in class. They may also be the ones who read out loud
to themselves. Auditory learners often repeat what a teacher has said to
process what the directions are.

Supporting auditory learners: Including a lot of time for discussion

can support the auditory learners in your classroom. They want to hear
what others have to say and share their own ideas in order to learn and
process information. When you are giving a lecture, ask auditory learners to
repeat what they have learned back to you. Call and response or question-
and-answer processes can also benefit auditory learners. In addition,
auditory learners appreciate watching videos about a topic and listening to
audiobooks or recordings.
 7

2.3 Reading/Writing Learning

Recognizing reading/writing learners: This learning style is often
confused with visual learning because reading/writing learners like to learn
using the written word. This may seem like visual learning, but
reading/writing preference learners can be discerned as those who express
themselves through writing. They also enjoy reading articles and writing in
diaries or journals. Your reading/writing learners may be experts with
search engines and even old-school encyclopedias. They hunger for
knowledge that they gather through reading.
Supporting reading/writing learners: Most of the traditional
educational system caters toward this type of learner. The reading/writing
learner learns by researching, reading books and writing. They will usually
be content to write an essay or create a written project. While these students
may not be as vocal as auditory learners, they can express themselves well
with the written word. Try to give the reading/writing learner time to write
their answers and work through their thoughts on paper.
 8

2.4 Kinesthetic Learning

Recognizing kinesthetic learners:  Kinesthetic or tactile learners  learn
by experiencing and doing. They like to use their hands and bodies as
learning instruments, often acting out events and using their hands when
they talk. A kinesthetic learner may seem wiggly in the classroom. Students
who are particularly good athletes or dancers may be kinesthetic learners
because they are adept at following the directions of a game or a dance
using their body.

Supporting kinesthetic learners: Since kinesthetic learners learn

through movement, teachers may ask them to act out scenes from a book or
use movement in other ways during the learning process. For example, a
kinesthetic learner can benefit by walking in place or pacing in a small area
while trying to memorize facts. Additionally, when learning can be
associated with movement of some kind, such as teaching vocabulary using
the total physical response method, kinesthetic learners may retain that
information more readily.
.
 9

The research on learning styles

There are many different theories of learning styles, including ones that
classify people as visual, auditory, or tactile learners, or ones that outline
different cognitive approaches people take in their learning.
However, there is virtually no evidence that supports that individuals
have learning styles, nor that when taught in a way that “meshes” with their
learning style that there is greater learning. A group of psychologists reviewed
the literature and in their report (Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence).
They state that while there have been studies done on how individuals can have
preferences for learning, almost none of the studies employed rigourous
research designs that would demonstrate that people benefit if they are
instructed in a way that matches their learning style (Pashler, McDaniel,
Roghrer, & Bjork, 2008).

3. Reasons for Learning Styles

 10

One of the biggest reasons to use learning styles in your classroom is

because it encourages variety. While research on learning styles is mixed, one
thing is common across all the literature: multimodal learning benefits
everyone. If you hear something, see something, do something, and feel
something in the process of learning a single concept, no matter what your
personal learning style may be, you will learn that thing better.

Another reason to use learning styles is that engagement matters. If one

of your students has a kinesthetic learning style, their life in a traditional
school will tend to be boring and unsuccessful. If you prefer learning through
physical touch and activities, spending all day reading, writing, or listening to
lectures, is not going to make you feel excited by or interested in your
education. Even if learning styles turn out to be nothing more than a personal
preference, there's still plenty of reasons to find ways to interest all of your
students. A multimodal classroom is a more fun and engaging place to be.

4. What are advantages of learning styles?

 11

4.1 Educational Benefits

Knowing what your learning preferences are will allow you to truly
maximize your potential. This can enable you to gain a better understanding
of your chosen field of study, receive better exam scores, and finally reach
your educational goals.
In addition to promoting effective learning, identifying your learning
preference can help you master difficult areas of study and overcome some of
the challenges that come with learning new material.

4.2 Professional Benefits

Most scholars and industry leaders agree that the real learning begins
when you leave the classroom. This means that you must invest into your
knowledge and skills throughout life.
To be successful at work, you will have to stay up-to-date with new
trends in your industry, which will require you to learn daily. When you know
 12

which learning tactics to use in which situations, you can stay ahead of the
competition and become an expert in your field. This will open many doors
for you and help you advance in your career much faster. Additionally, you
can better organize yourself and manage teams more efficiently, which can
result in increased company performance and profit.
4.3 Personal Benefits
To use your knowledge for personal improvement, you must know how
to make the most of different learning opportunities.
Once you have found a learning style that helps you easily understand
information, you will see learning as an enjoyable activity instead of a time-
consuming task. As a result, your mind will stay sharp and be ready to deal
with both expected and unexpected problems.
Knowing your learning style can also increase your confidence and self-
respect, which can help you achieve your personal and professional objectives
without doubting yourself or your abilities.

5. Why are learning styles important for teaching?

 13

At LA ORT career college, you will learn one of life’s most important
lessons – how to learn efficiently. This will allow you to get a degree and start
your career much faster.
5.1 Choosing the Right Career College
What separates LA ORT from other Los Angeles colleges is that we are
a non-profit college, meaning that our number one goal is to help our students
achieve their educational success. We use a variety of learning strategies to
help every student reach their full potential in a friendly, supportive
environment. Moreover, unlike for-profit colleges in Los Angeles, we are not
an institution focused on high tuition. We focus exclusively on providing top-
quality education at affordable rates so that everyone could have an equal
chance to learn and expand their horizons.

For Students:
 14

 Important self-knowledge gained

 Strengths and weaknesses in learning revealed
 Self-esteem improved
 Study skills enhanced
 Misunderstandings with teachers and parents prevented
 Liberated to study "your way"
 A personalised report aimed at the student
For Teachers:
 Accurate picture of classroom diversity
 Clear grasp of individual students' biological learning needs
 Reasons for underachievement exposed
 True needs of slow learners and 'gifted' students revealed
 Communication with students and parents improved
 Group work more successful
 Team spirit enhanced
 Student/teacher interaction improved
 Better time management
 Less stress - day-to-day and in one-off situations
 Better results and more job satisfaction
For Parents:
 Understand your children's learning needs
 Identify reasons for underachievement
 Remove barriers to your child's full learning potential
 A personalised report aimed at the parents
There are is no right or wrong way to learn. Many students use a
combination of learning styles while others learn best by just following one
style. In addition to the abovementioned learning styles, there are also
 15

others such as auditory, logical, social and solitary learning styles. If you
don’t know your learning style yet, it is worth taking the time to figure it
out because there are many benefits to discovering how you process
information best. Have a look at some of the benefits of figuring out your
learning style:

ACADEMIC BENEFITS
 Gives you a head start and maximizes your learning potential
 Enables you to succeed in school, college, university
 Gives you customised techniques to score better on tests and exams
 Allows you to learn “your way” – through your own best strategies
 Shows you how to overcome the limitations of poor instructors
 Reduces the stress and frustration of learning experiences
 Expands your existing learning and studying strategies

PERSONAL BENEFITS
 Increases your self-confidence
 Improves your self-image
 Teaches you how to use your brain best
 Gives you insight into your strengths, weaknesses, and habits
 Enables you to enjoy any learning process
 Inspires greater curiosity and motivation for lifelong learning
 Shows you how to take advantage of your natural skills and inclinations

PROFESSIONAL BENEFITS
 Enables you to stay up-to-date professionally
 Gives you an edge over your competitors
 16

 Allows you to manage teams more effectively

 Guides you in delivering effective presentations to diverse audiences
 Improves your persuasive and sales skills
 Helps you improve cooperation among colleagues
 Translates learning power into earning power

Conclusion
 17

Learning styles refer to a range of competing and

contested theories that aim to account for differences in individuals' learning.
[1]
 Many theories share the proposition that humans can be classified
according to their 'style' of learning, but differ in how the proposed styles
should be defined, categorized and assessed. A common concept is that
individuals differ in how they learn.

There are is no right or wrong way to learn. Many students use a

combination of learning styles while others learn best by just following one
style. In addition to the abovementioned learning styles, there are also others
such as auditory, logical, social and solitary learning styles. If you don’t know
your learning style yet, it is worth taking the time to figure it out because there
are many benefits to discovering how you process information best.

References
 18

Benefits of Knowing Your Learning Style | Skill Hire

https://www.skillhire.com.au › blog › benefits-of-knowin...

https://www.skillhire.com.au/blog/benefits-of-knowing-your-learning-style/