Learning Style Categories

Visual
Auditory
Kinesthetic

Visual

People who have a visual learning style learn best if a major component of the material or lesson is something they can see or watch. This learner works best with written material and instructions, diagrams, posters, and demonstrations. The information which the visual learner takes in is translated into and stored as pictures or images in their brains. These learners are usually neat and well organized. They may use statements with visual cues such as "I get the picture". Unnecessary movement can be a distraction to a visual learner.

This learning style will work well for anyone wanting to do course work via distance education. Although technology is now allowing for more auditory components, the written component in distance learning is still prevalent whether it be through text books, web sites, conference boards or e-mail. Distance education allows the learners to control their learning environment making it more conducive to their learning.

Careers which suit the visual learner would include executive positions where a vision of the future is important, architects, engineers, and surgeons.

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Auditory

People who have an auditory learning style learn best if there is an oral component to the material being learned. Verbal instructions, taped lectures and face to face instruction work best. These learners filter the information they hear and store the relevant data but don't necessarily form pictures around it. When problem solving, auditory learners prefer to "talk it out". While talking they may use phrases which relate to how they learn such as "I hear you". Unnecessary noise can be a distraction for the auditory learner.

Although this type of learner could have more difficulty with distance education than an auditory learner, it is still possible to be successful. Some distance education courses have audio and/or video taped components. These learners could read materials aloud or have it read to them. Also they can control their learning environment thereby avoiding unnecessary distracting noises.

Because of their excellent listening skills, auditory learners would make excellent pathologists, disc jockeys, and musicians.

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Kinesthetic

People who have a kinesthetic or tactile learning style learn best when they can touch or feel what they are learning about. The use of their body and feelings are very important to these learners so hands-on projects work best for them. Kinesthetic learners do not always have a good time sense or sense of orderliness or neatness. They often live for the moment and do not have a vision of the future. Kinesthetic learners will often speak of their learning in terms of feelings, prefacing statements with "I feel". People with this learning style will have a tendency to move around while trying to solve a problem.

These learners will have the most difficulty with the "typical" written distance education course. They need to look for courses which are more project oriented where course content can be learned by doing it or using it. Learning in their own space will allow for the desire for movement as there will be no expectation of sitting still for an extended period of time.

Career choices for people with this learning style should be anything which involves movement and their body such as dancing, acting, construction, or athletics.

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To get an indication of your main learning style, take our learning styles quiz.

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