Learning Styles

How do we learn new things? One common approach is to think of everyone as learning in different ways. Some of us are more visual, others need to read, write, or hear information to understand it and recall it, others need to interact and ‘do’ before they gain an understanding. These learning styles are often divided into the following categories:

These learning styles are often given the acronym VARK and studies suggest that individuals might have a preference for one style or use a mix of styles to learn (and this might differ when learning different subjects). This video explains the basic concept of VARK and why awareness of it, can be useful to improve learning capabilities:

The VARK theory, therefore, focuses our attention on the senses and which sense we use most for learning. The theory is, however, not quite that simple. Sometimes, ‘reading & writing’ is combined into ‘visual learning’, with the claim that words are transformed into visual cues. In these cases, ‘reading & writing’ is sometimes replaced by ‘social learning’, which refers to people learning by observing other people and then re-enacting the same.

There are plenty of other learning styles theories, such as Kolb’s model which posits that people approach learning through concrete experience, abstract conceptualisation, reflective observation, and active experimentation. This model is described in the video below.

Then there is Anthony Gregorc’s model which focuses on how individuals acquire and process information differently.

Like Kolb, Gregorc also refers to concrete and abstract qualities, but suggests that these abilities are organised in individuals by random and sequential approaches. Cognitive approaches favour learning models that look at how individuals think and use memory aids to learn.

There is much debate about learning styles, with competing and overlapping theories and models about how individuals best learn. Take, for example, this video, which tries to debunk the VARK approach, in favour of cognitive models of learning.

So, who do you think is right? Do you see yourself in any of the learning styles suggested here or are you aware of a different learning style that you think has merits? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.