Everyone has preferences how we learn and educate. These preferences can change throughout time.
Depending on what you are studying, a specific type or combination of learning techniques can produce greater results, no matter what your inclination.
Modalities are types of learning such as; visual, auditory and kinesthetic. There are also gustatory and olfactory, which you may come across occasionally.
Let’s take a look at the three main ones and how they can affect teaching and learning.
Visual Learners
65 % of people are visual learners and they do better with charts and demonstrations. They will pay more attention to their surroundings and acquire information that way. Usually visual learners will enjoy reading and writing as well.
Auditory Learners
Auditory learners prefer to hear information. They may talk to themselves more than most. They are more likely to read out loud and are more vocal. Although 30% of people are this type of learners, most people will learn this way later in life.
Kinesthetic Learners
This group comprises only 5% of adult learners. Kinesthetic learners do best with touch and movement. They like to use their hands and bodies to learn. They may take notes. Usually they prefer to scan first when reading to get the big picture, then they will reread. You will notice that they are more likely to highlight words and draw diagrams.
The type of learner you are is not as important as what you are learning and which learning type or combination will work best for that particular task. So depending on what you are learning, a particular type could be more appropriate and help you to learn more quickly.
Your learning type will always play a key role and should always be taken into consideration.
If you are a teacher it would benefit you and your students if you take the time to learn more about the three main learning types. You can then present your lessons using all three types. This will help all of your students to understand, with more clarity. Since they will prefer one type over the other, this will make the most sense in allowing them to grasp your ideas in a way they do best.
By using all three methods you are reinforcing your points while making it more comfortable and enjoyable for your students to pick up on your ideas.
This is also a great way to write reports and articles to make sure you deliver your thoughts to everyone, thus achieving successful results.
Use action verbs for the visual learners. Let them visualize what you are saying. Use clear instructions for the auditory learners and maybe an mp3 if possible. Use clear phrases and action verbs to those that prefer kinesthetic learning. An example or exercise they can physically perform would add great value for them.
Even though we all have our learning preference, most of us can learn using any combination of these. It’s possible that a disability may influence this in some cases.
It seems to be more important to use the best modality for the task at hand. If you incorporate the other types into your lessons, you will have the best chance of reaching all of your students and attain a higher success rate.
This also will apply to you, as you learn and discover things yourself.
In essence, whatever you are doing to accomplish a specific, you must recognize how to communicate effectively to ensure positive results.
Therefore, a superior understanding of modalities; learning how to utilize them successfully, can improve your quality of life and those of others, that you will encounter throughout your lifetime!
By Kenneth J. Van Liew
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