4. Learning Styles

Human being is the same regarding to duties, rights, physical appearances, and so on, but the truth is that we all are different because we have different needs, ways of thinking, likes and dislikes, ways or being and so on. It is important to mention that we are different to understand learning styles because learning style is a concept of differences. According to Cambridge Dictionary, learning is the action of acquiring new knowledge. Another definition can be a step by step process in which an induvial experiences changes in knowledge, ways of being and ways of processing things. This can happen trough experiences and going to a place called school.

Talking about experiences, we learn how to speak, to drive a car, to wear, to use walk, and so on. By making mistakes, we learn different things that are useful for us. When people go to school, people learn new knowledge that a teacher provides. Here, teacher realize that every student has preferences in learning. Some of the students learn by watching, others by listening and others by doing. This is called learning styles.

Learning styles are the ways or the preferences in which students understand, comprehend, and retain a specific information. It is important for teachers to know the different learning styles because students do not learn the same way as others, and they can know how to teach students in appropriate way. Some experts say that there four types of learning styles, but the most important styles are three. We need to understand the acronym called VARK. VARK means visual, auditory, reading with   writing, and kinesthetic learning styles.

Visual style

The visual students learn by watching things. Teachers can teach them by explaining topics using maps, graphic, mind maps, drawings and so on. Teachers have to use colors to call visual learners` attention because they are distracted. Teachers can use videos to teach a topic too; however, they do not like to read books, so teacher have to keep in mind too.

Auditory style

The auditory students learn by listening. Teachers have to use verbal instruction, and they have to speak strongly to catch the attention of those students. Teachers need to be self- confidence because if not students do not pay attention. Teachers can use podcast, audios, CD player to teach a specific topic. Those students have to sit down away from distractions, so teachers need to keep in mind this too.

Kinesthetic style

The last learning style refers to the students who learn by doing. Teachers need to be aware that those students need not only theory but also practice because they understand better what they learn. They are very energetic, so they learn with a big emotion. In addition, they cannot stand in one place because they need to move. Teachers can bring many activities for students to learn.

Reading with writing style

The students who have this learning style learn by reading and writing as the same word says. Teachers can teach them by bringing lectures, slides, writing essays, investigating and so on. Some people do not take in account this learning style because almost all the students have it.

In conclusion, teachers need to know the four learning styles because if teachers just are focus on one type, some students do not learn. When teachers are capable to take advantages of this, the learning process is meaningful and takes place in a good way. 

Some ideas were taken from:

https://www.learningrx.com/types-of-learning-styles-faq.htm

https://teach.com/what/teachers-know/learning-styles/