learning styles
How minds absorb
Learning styles is the theory that people learn best through different sensory modes—visual, auditory, or kinesthetic.
Popular in education since the 1990s, the idea influenced classroom instruction and self-help: I'm a visual learner.
Research has largely failed to support the theory, yet it persists in educational practice and popular understanding of how people absorb information.
Involving direct physical engagement
- movementChange in position
- manipulativesTangible educational objects
- experientialDerived from direct involvement
- role-playAssume a character temporarily
physical activity · simulations · lab work · field trips · gestures · touch · practice · demonstration
Simplified visual representations
- chartsVisual data displays
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- infographicsVisual representations of information
- mind mapsBranching visual thought organizers
flashcards · videos · spatial · graphic organizers · illustrations · pictures · sketching · highlighting
Attending to sound
- lecturesFormal instructional talks
- podcastsEpisodic digital audio programs
- discussionExchange of ideas
- verbal instructionTeaching conveyed through speech
audiobooks · mnemonics · repetition · read-aloud · conversation · music · rhymes · storytelling
Recording information while listening
- essaysShort nonfiction prose pieces
- listsOrdered item collections
- journalingRegular personal writing practice
- textbooksEducational reference volumes
research · summarizing · outlining · annotation · copying · manuals · reports · definitions
Recognizing meaningful differences
- personalizationTailoring to individual needs
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
- inclusive educationTeaching all abilities together
modification · student-centered · pacing · self-directed · metacognition · strengths-based · adaptive technology
hands-on
Involving direct physical engagement
- movementChange in position
- manipulativesTangible educational objects
- experientialDerived from direct involvement
role-play · physical activity · simulations · lab work · field trips · gestures · touch · practice · demonstration · trial-and-error
diagrams
Simplified visual representations
- chartsVisual data displays
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- infographicsVisual representations of information
mind maps · flashcards · videos · spatial · graphic organizers · illustrations · pictures · sketching · highlighting · visualization
listening
Attending to sound
- lecturesFormal instructional talks
- podcastsEpisodic digital audio programs
- discussionExchange of ideas
verbal instruction · audiobooks · mnemonics · repetition · read-aloud · conversation · music · rhymes · storytelling · dictation
note-taking
Recording information while listening
- essaysShort nonfiction prose pieces
- listsOrdered item collections
- journalingRegular personal writing practice
textbooks · research · summarizing · outlining · annotation · copying · manuals · reports · definitions · handouts
differentiation
Recognizing meaningful differences
- personalizationTailoring to individual needs
- accommodationShelter or housing provided
- scaffoldingTemporary exterior work platform
inclusive education · modification · student-centered · pacing · self-directed · metacognition · strengths-based · adaptive technology
- educationeducation, school, schools, teachers, students
- cognitionthinking, reasoning, thought, cognition, remembering
- identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
- math educationmath class, math instruction, math curriculum, math standards, lesson plans
- intelligencesmart, IQ, memory, bright, clever
- studyingstudying, study notes, study plan, study session, notes