Ways to adapt to different learning styles

As a teacher we encounter numerous students in our classrooms on a daily basis, and with these students come a variety of learning styles, which it is our responsibility to make sure that we are recognising and addressing.

As humans, we all learn in different ways; some of us may be able to listen to explanations and information, take it all in, process and understand it as it is being delivered to us, however for others this method of learning may not work. Instead, it may be intimidating and overwhelming.

Due to this, it has become recognised that there are various learning styles when in a classroom which we must take into consideration as educators.

Generally, these learning styles can be divided into seven types: 

1. Visual learning
2. Auditory learning
3. Reading and Writing
4. Kinaesthetic                                                                 
5. Verbal or linguistic learning
6. Social or interpersonal learning
7. Solitary or intrapersonal learning[i]

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What is important to remember, is that these learning styles may overlap, and some students may learn in multiple ways.

As educators therefore, we must ensure that we provide variety when we plan our lessons.

Consider the lesson content and vary the activities used to deliver it. So, for example, if you had to deliver learning about the earth’s crust and the many layers, to meet the needs of visual learners you would need to include lots of images and diagrams in your lesson.

To meet the needs of a kinaesthetic learner you would need to include perhaps something tactile, such as a model or an activity that involves physically organising the layers of the earth’s crust; group work or pair work would meet the needs of interpersonal learners who find it easier to discuss and collaborate during learning.

You may recognise your own learning styles amongst these, and it is because of this that we can become more effective in our approaches to lesson delivery.

Successful lessons cater to a wide range of needs such as lower and higher attainers and students who perhaps have additional needs which need to be supported. It is also important to cater to various learning styles; not only will you be serving all students, but it makes for a varied, interesting and stimulating lesson!

In addition to this it is also our job to encourage students to step out of their comfort zones and experiment with different learning styles as we equip our students with skills for life in doing so. 

Please visit www.teach2030.com for more information on learning styles or watch our live workshop on “Adapting Teaching to Reach All Learners”.

[i] https://teachable.com/blog/types-of-learning-styles

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