Learning Styles — How Your Brain Learns Best

Learning Styles — How Your Brain Learns Best

Welcome to your interactive guide for understanding learning styles! This living document helps you discover how your brain naturally processes information and how to optimize your learning for maximum effectiveness.

The Foundation: VARK Model

Developed by Neil Fleming and David Baume (later refined by Fleming and Mills), the VARK model identifies how different learners prefer to receive and process information.

"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn." — Benjamin Franklin

The key insight: Your brain has a preferred "input channel" for receiving information. When you learn through your natural style, comprehension and retention skyrocket.

The Three Learning Styles

1. Visual 👁️ — The Picture Thinker

Primary processing: Through seeing and spatial understanding

Core characteristics:

• Think in pictures and images
• Remember faces better than names
• Use phrases like "I see what you mean"
• Prefer charts, diagrams, and visual representations
• Strong spatial awareness
• Notice visual details others miss

How you learn best:

• Watching demonstrations
• Looking at diagrams and charts
• Color-coding and highlighting
• Mind mapping and visual organization
• Videos and visual presentations
• Written instructions with images

Study superpowers:

• Creating visual summaries
• Drawing diagrams of concepts
• Using flashcards with images
• Watching educational videos
• Color-coding notes
• Making mind maps

Challenges:

• Lectures without visual aids
• Long verbal explanations
• Audio-only content
• Dense text without visuals
• Phone conversations without context

Optimization strategies:

• Convert text into diagrams
• Use graphic organizers
• Create visual metaphors
• Draw concepts as you learn
• Use spatial organization
• Watch demonstrations before attempting

Career advantages:

• Graphic design and art
• Architecture and engineering
• Data visualization
• Photography and videography
• UI/UX design
• Surgery and medical imaging

2. Auditory 👂 — The Sound Processor

Primary processing: Through hearing and verbal communication

Core characteristics:

• Think in words and sounds
• Remember what was said
• Use phrases like "that sounds right"
• Prefer discussions and explanations
• Learn by listening and talking
• Strong verbal memory

How you learn best:

• Listening to lectures
• Group discussions
• Explaining concepts aloud
• Audio recordings
• Verbal instructions
• Reading aloud

Study superpowers:

• Recording lectures to replay
• Group study sessions
• Explaining topics to others
• Using mnemonics and songs
• Listening to podcasts
• Verbalizing while studying

Challenges:

• Silent reading environments
• Visual-only instructions
• Learning without discussion
• Written tests without verbal processing
• Self-paced online courses

Optimization strategies:

• Read study materials aloud
• Join or create study groups
• Use text-to-speech software
• Discuss concepts with others
• Create verbal mnemonics
• Record your own explanations

Career advantages:

• Teaching and training
• Radio and podcasting
• Counseling and therapy
• Sales and communication
• Music and audio production
• Public speaking

3. Kinesthetic ✋ — The Hands-On Learner

Primary processing: Through doing and physical experience

Core characteristics:

• Think through movement and action
• Remember what you did
• Use phrases like "I feel like..." or "I get it"
• Prefer hands-on activities
• Learn by doing and experiencing
• Strong muscle memory

How you learn best:

• Hands-on practice
• Physical experiments
• Real-world application
• Building models
• Role-playing scenarios
• Learning by doing

Study superpowers:

• Building physical models
• Using manipulatives
• Taking frequent breaks to move
• Teaching by demonstrating
• Incorporating movement into study
• Real-world application practice

Challenges:

• Long lectures without activity
• Theory without practice
• Sitting still for extended periods
• Passive learning environments
• Abstract concepts without tangible examples

Optimization strategies:

• Study while walking or moving
• Use physical objects to represent concepts
• Take frequent active breaks
• Create hands-on demonstrations
• Use gestures while learning
• Apply concepts immediately

Career advantages:

• Athletics and physical training
• Surgery and medical procedures
• Craftsmanship and trades
• Physical therapy
• Lab sciences
• Performing arts

The Complexity of Learning Combinations

Important truth: You're rarely just one learning style—you have a learning hierarchy.

The 17 Learning Style Combinations

Understanding Learning Hierarchies

Critical insight: The order reveals your learning PRIORITY.

"Visual - Auditory - Kinesthetic" means:

1. First choice: Visual (you prefer to SEE it)
2. Second choice: Auditory (hearing HELPS too)
3. Third choice: Kinesthetic (hands-on is NICE but not essential)

This is GOLD because:

• In ideal conditions → use visual methods
• Visual not available → shift to auditory
• Neither available → use kinesthetic
• You now have a strategy, not just a label

Real-World Example

Alex's profile: "Kinesthetic - Visual - Auditory"

What this means for studying physics:

1. First: Build a physical model of the concept (pendulum, circuit, etc.)
2. Second: Draw diagrams of what you built
3. Third: Explain it aloud to someone

Result: Alex went from failing physics (lecture-only class) to acing it using this strategy.

Interactive Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify Your Learning Style

Answer honestly (how you ACTUALLY learn, not how you think you should):

When learning something new, you prefer to:

• Watch a video or see a demonstration (Visual)
• Listen to an explanation or discuss it (Auditory)
• Try it yourself hands-on (Kinesthetic)

When giving directions, you tend to:

• Draw a map or describe landmarks visually (Visual)
• Verbally explain turn-by-turn (Auditory)
• Walk through it or gesture the path (Kinesthetic)

When remembering a phone number, you:

• Visualize the numbers written down (Visual)
• Repeat it aloud or create a rhythm (Auditory)
• Use finger movements to "type" it (Kinesthetic)

When assembling furniture, you:

• Study the diagram carefully (Visual)
• Read instructions aloud or ask for help (Auditory)
• Skip instructions and figure it out by doing (Kinesthetic)

When stressed, you:

• Need to see things organized and clear (Visual)
• Need to talk it through (Auditory)
• Need to move or do something physical (Kinesthetic)

Your most frequent answers reveal your primary learning style(s).

Exercise 2: Learning Style Audit

Analyze your past learning successes and struggles:

Pattern recognition:

• When did you learn best? What style was used?
• When did you struggle? Was it a mismatch with your style?
• What adjustments could you make now?

Exercise 3: Multi-Modal Learning Plan

For your next learning goal, create a three-style approach:

Goal: **_**

Visual approach:

• Create mind map of key concepts
• Watch 3 educational videos
• Draw diagrams of main ideas

Auditory approach:

• Discuss with study partner
• Record myself explaining concepts
• Listen to related podcasts

Kinesthetic approach:

• Build a model or demonstration
• Practice hands-on applications
• Teach someone using physical examples

Why all three? Reinforces learning through multiple channels, even if one is your preference.

Practical Applications

In Traditional Education

Adapting classroom learning to your style:

Visual learners in lecture classes:

• Sit where you can see clearly
• Draw diagrams while listening
• Color-code your notes
• Create visual summaries after class
• Use graphic organizers

Auditory learners in reading-heavy classes:

• Read textbook aloud
• Join study groups to discuss
• Record and replay lectures
• Explain concepts to others
• Use audiobook versions when possible

Kinesthetic learners in theoretical subjects:

• Take notes by hand (physical act)
• Study while walking
• Use manipulatives or models
• Take frequent movement breaks
• Create hands-on demonstrations

In Online Learning

Optimizing digital education:

Visual optimization:

• Use split-screen for notes and video
• Create digital mind maps
• Use visual bookmarking
• Screenshot key diagrams
• Create Pinterest boards of concepts

Auditory optimization:

• Use text-to-speech for readings
• Join virtual study groups
• Record your own audio notes
• Listen at 1.5x speed (if it helps focus)
• Participate in live discussions

Kinesthetic optimization:

• Take standing desk breaks
• Use fidget tools while learning
• Print materials to write on physically
• Create physical flashcards
• Build real-world projects

In Professional Development

Learning new job skills by style:

Visual professionals:

• Watch colleague demonstrations
• Request visual documentation
• Create flowcharts of processes
• Use visual project management tools
• Observe before doing

Auditory professionals:

• Request verbal training
• Use voice notes for learning
• Discuss with mentors
• Join professional discussion groups
• Explain new skills aloud to solidify

Kinesthetic professionals:

• Request hands-on training
• Practice immediately
• Shadow experienced colleagues
• Learn by doing with supervision
• Create physical reminders

Learning Style by Subject

Different subjects favor different styles (but you can adapt!):

The Learning Style Toolkit

Study Strategies by Style

Visual study strategies:

Cornell Notes Method:

• Divide page into sections
• Use different colors for different topics
• Add small sketches and symbols
• Create visual summary section

Mind Mapping:

• Start with central concept
• Branch out with related ideas
• Use colors, symbols, images
• Show connections visually

Flashcard System:

• Include images with text
• Use color coding
• Create visual associations
• Arrange spatially

Auditory study strategies:

Talk-Aloud Method:

• Explain concepts as if teaching
• Record your explanations
• Listen back while commuting
• Create verbal mnemonics

Discussion Groups:

• Form study groups
• Take turns explaining concepts
• Debate ideas verbally
• Ask and answer questions aloud

Audio Recording:

• Record lectures (with permission)
• Create audio study guides
• Listen while exercising
• Use text-to-speech for readings

Kinesthetic study strategies:

Active Reading:

• Underline and highlight while reading
• Write notes in margins
• Walk while reviewing
• Use post-it notes to organize

Model Building:

• Create physical representations
• Use Legos or clay
• Build 3D diagrams
• Use objects to represent concepts

Teaching by Doing:

• Demonstrate concepts physically
• Create hands-on experiments
• Use role-play scenarios
• Practice skills immediately

Memory Techniques by Style

Visual memory:

• Method of loci (memory palace)
• Visual associations
• Color coding information
• Creating mental pictures

Auditory memory:

• Rhymes and songs
• Acronyms you say aloud
• Rhythm and repetition
• Verbal chunking

Kinesthetic memory:

• Physical gestures for concepts
• Walking while memorizing
• Writing repeatedly by hand
• Physical mnemonics

Advanced Learning Concepts

Learning Style Flexibility

Goal: Use your primary style but develop others.

Why it matters:

• Not all situations suit your preferred style
• Multiple styles reinforce learning
• Workplace requires adaptability
• Life doesn't always offer choices

Development plan:

If you're Visual:

• Practice: Explaining concepts aloud (Auditory)
• Practice: Building physical models (Kinesthetic)
• Benefit: Can learn even without visual aids

If you're Auditory:

• Practice: Creating visual diagrams (Visual)
• Practice: Hands-on application (Kinesthetic)
• Benefit: Can learn from written materials

If you're Kinesthetic:

• Practice: Learning from diagrams (Visual)
• Practice: Learning from lectures (Auditory)
• Benefit: Can learn in traditional settings

Context-Based Learning Shifts

Fascinating discovery: Your learning style may shift with context.

Common shifts:

Implication: Regular learning style check-ins help you adapt.

The Multi-Modal Advantage

Research shows: Learning through multiple styles creates stronger neural connections.

The power of three:

For maximum retention:

1. See it (Visual) — Watch or visualize
2. Say it (Auditory) — Explain aloud
3. Do it (Kinesthetic) — Apply practically

Example: Learning to code:

• Visual: Watch tutorial videos
• Auditory: Explain code logic aloud
• Kinesthetic: Type and run code yourself

Result: Triple reinforcement = lasting mastery

Creating Your Learning Practice

Daily Learning Optimization

Morning: Identify today's learning style need

• What am I learning today?
• Which style would be most effective?
• How can I adapt if my style isn't available?

During learning: Multi-modal approach

• Start with your primary style
• Reinforce with secondary styles
• Notice what's working

Evening: Reflection

• What style worked best today?
• What would I do differently?
• How can I optimize tomorrow?

Weekly Learning Review

Questions to ask:

1. When did I learn most effectively this week?
2. What learning style was I using?
3. When did I struggle? Was it a style mismatch?
4. What adjustment would have helped?
5. Am I over-relying on one style?

Monthly Learning Development

Choose one non-dominant style to develop:

Month 1: Develop Visual skills (even if Auditory/Kinesthetic)

• Create one mind map per week
• Practice visualization techniques
• Use color coding

Month 2: Develop Auditory skills

• Join a study/discussion group
• Practice explaining aloud
• Use audio resources

Month 3: Develop Kinesthetic skills

• Build one hands-on project
• Practice while moving
• Apply learning immediately

Cycle continues, building multi-modal fluency.

Remember: Learning is Learnable

Carol Dweck's growth mindset applies to learning itself:

• Your learning style isn't fixed
• You can develop new learning strategies
• Struggle means you're growing
• Effort enhances natural abilities

The goal: Know your natural style, honor it, but don't be limited by it.

Quick Reference Guide

Take the Assessment

• Learning Style Test — Discover your learning hierarchy

Related Garden Entries

• Psychology Hub — Understanding psychological frameworks
• Intelligence Types — How intelligence affects learning
• Personality Types — How temperament influences learning preferences

Related Blog Entries

• Discover Your Youniverse — Complete self-discovery journey

Recommended Resources

Books:

• "Make It Stick" by Peter C. Brown
• "Learning How to Learn" by Barbara Oakley
• "Mindshift" by Barbara Oakley
• "The Art of Learning" by Josh Waitzkin

Online:

• Coursera's "Learning How to Learn"
• Khan Academy (multi-modal learning)
• Crash Course (visual + auditory)

---

This is a living document. As you discover more about how you learn, return here to deepen your practice and add your own insights.

📚 You're not bad at learning. You just haven't found YOUR way to learn. Now you have.