The Seven Learning Styles
The Seven Learning Styles
When students are not performing as well as they could be, it is likely they
just need to be taught in a different way. It is important to remember;
diversity is not exclusively about qualities, beliefs and faith, it can also
determine how we best learn new skills.
The idea of individualized learning styles started in the 1970s and since
then has greatly influenced education. Neil Fleming’s VARK model is one
of the common and widely used frameworks today. Fleming’s learning
styles are categorised into visual, auditory, reading-writing and kinesthetic.
1. Visual (Spatial)
2. Aural (Auditory-Musical)
If you need someone to tell you something out loud to understand it, you
are an auditory learner. You depend on hearing the information to fully
understand it, rather than just reading it from a book. Group discussions
are a great way for auditory learners to grasp new ideas.
Auditory learners have the aptitude to notice audible signals like changes in
tone, or pitch to name a few. For example, when memorising a phone
number, an auditory learner will say it out loud first and take note of how it
sounded to remember it. Aural learners often pursue careers such as
musician, recording engineer, speech pathologist, or language teacher.
3. Verbal (Linguistic)
Do you love words and writing?
4. Physical (Kinesthetic)
In this style, learning happens when the learner carries out a physical
activity, rather than listening to a lecture or watching a demonstration.
Those who have a preference for kinesthetic learning are called ‘do-ers’
and much prefer hands-on learning. Kinesthetic learners make up about
five percent of the population.
5. Logical (Mathematical)
Are you great with numbers?
When you like using your brain for logical and mathematical reasoning,
you’re a logical learner. You easily recognise patterns and can connect
seemingly meaningless concepts easily. Logical learners often lean
towards classifying and grouping information to help them further
understand it.
You excel in numbers and are fine with doing complex calculations such as
basic trigonometry off the top of your head! Logical learners could pursue
careers in fields such as scientific research, accountancy, bookkeeping or
computer programming.
6. Social (Interpersonal)
People often come to you to listen and ask for advice. They do because of
the apparent sensitivity you have to their feelings, moods and even
motivations. You listen well and empathize with what others are thinking
and going through.
7. Solitary (Intrapersonal)
You have a solitary style if you are more private, independent and
introspective. Your concentration is at its best when you focus on your
thoughts and feelings without the distraction of others.
1. Teaching Expertise states that “Learning Styles (LS) can be defined as the way humans
prefer to concentrate on, store, and remember new and difficult information.” OK, so far so
good. That makes sense.
1. Educational scholar Dorothy MacKeracher (2004, p. 71) describes learning styles as “the
characteristic of cognitive, affective, social, and physiological behaviors that serve as
relatively stable indicators of how learners perceive, interact with, and respond to the
learning environment.”
1. On the other hand, Brown University jumps more to the point and expresses that learning
styles are how you process and comprehend information in learning situations.
Brown also breaks up learning styles into six categories (which we’ll revisit later):
Visual learning
Kinesthetic learning
Individual learning
Tactile learning
Auditory learning
Group learning
In short, learning styles have to do with an individual’s preferred way of learning — or,
as Gardner put it, how students approach a task.
VARK states that learning is not so black and white and reminds us to “[r]emember
[that] life (and work) are multimodal, so there are no hard and fast boundaries.”
One could argue that multiple intelligence theory focuses more on evaluating and
understanding an individual’s intelligence than learning styles do. Gardner also
emphasized that individuals possess each of these bits of intelligence, but it’s
the degree to which each one exhibits that’s important to recognize.
*Note that critics of multiple intelligence theory point out that “intelligence” is not a
clearly defined term. Instead, they base learning styles on biological and conditioned
factors.
After sifting through various comparisons of these two terms, we found another
description from the Teaching for Multiple Intelligences that stuck with us:
“[L]earning styles emphasize the different ways people think and feel as they solve
problems, create products, and interact. The theory of multiple intelligences is an effort
to understand how cultures and disciplines shape human potential.”
You’re not alone if you’re still finding the concept tricky to grasp, so let’s go a step
further and breakdown each category.
But before we dig in, note that the notion of “learning” itself is not clear-cut, and we all
possess aspects of all these styles and intelligences.
1. Visual learning
Using one’s sense of sight to gather information.
Following maps
Sketching diagrams
Watching videos
2. Group learning
Learning well in social settings, with a focus on collaboration and team-building skills.
Team building activities like those on a ropes course, human alphabet, and group sit
Group projects such as literature posters or presentations
Group discussions, formally or informally
3. Kinesthetic learning
Learning takes place physically with movement, expressions, and one’s sense of touch.
Learning alone as opposed to in a group, with greater focus on self-study. This learning
style connects with intrapersonal multiple intelligence.
Independent reading
Solo study sessions
Individualized online projects
5. Tactile learning
Hands-on learning. This relates to kinesthetic intelligence and even nature intelligence.
Building 3D models
Attending and/or presenting at a science fair
Measuring items in the classroom
6. Auditory learning
1. Spatial-visual intelligence
Students with this trait have an uncanny ability to visualize things. Whether it be
manipulating 3D objects or finding the quickest route on a roadmap, this intelligence
goes hand in hand with the visual learning style. It’s how you store visually learned
information in your memory.
2. Verbal-linguistic intelligence
Do you know those students who get excited about writing stories and public speaking?
They favor verbal-linguistic learning. They probably love words, spoken and written. And
they relish word sounds, meanings, etc. These students also tend to listen attentively.
3. Musical intelligence
People who exhibit musical intelligence learn in an auditory way and have an ear for
rhythm. Instead of favoring words or images, musical learners prefer sounds.
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence
How you obtain information through moving as well as how you control your body/fine
motor skills. In short, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence involves learning through
movement.
5. Naturalist intelligence
Learning best outdoors. People who are curious about their natural world, animals, and
plants exhibit naturalist intelligence.
6. Interpersonal intelligence
People in this category are social and empathetic, which allows them to intuitively sense
others’ needs. They can read the moods of others and relate to their peers. They’re also
often strong communicators.
7. Intrapersonal intelligence
On the other end, intrapersonal intelligence focuses more inwardly than out. These
learners ten to be highly reflective and thoughtful within their own minds. They also may
be highly in tune with their own strengths and weaknesses.
8. Logical-mathematical intelligence
People who love analyzing problems and reaching a logical solution fall in this category.
They have strong reasoning skills, typically excel at standardized tests, and are keen on
identifying patterns.
9. Existential intelligence
What’s the meaning of life? What is beauty? How do you define art? These are all big
questions that characterize existentialist intelligence. These deep thinkers with
philosophic minds are always trying to understand the world around them.
The take-away
Familiarity with multiple avenues of learning will benefit you and your students. Stacking
your teacher arsenal with knowledge on learning styles and multiple intelligence theory
will help you reach all your students and not just a select few.
Remember that all learners have unique strengths and weaknesses, and a one-size-fits-
all approach to teaching doesn’t cater to a student’s individualism. By familiarizing
yourself with multiple intelligence theory and the different learning styles, you’ll be able
to tap into all your students’ strengths.
In addition to implementing these sweet teaching techniques into your curriculum, when
you reflect on your own learning styles and multiple intelligences, you’ll be one step
closer to understanding those around you!
1. Linguistic/verbal (“word smart”)
2. Logical-mathematical (“number/reasoning smart”)
3. Musical (“music smart”)
4. Spatial (“picture smart”)
5. Body-Kinesthetic (“body smart”)
6. Interpersonal (“people smart”)
7. Intrapersonal (“self smart”)
8. Naturalist (“nature smart”)
9. Spiritual/Existential (“religion and ‘ultimate issues”)
Kinesthetic
Next, we listed samples of vocations that people are likely to choose, given particular
intelligence and learning-style profiles. Working in this way, we devised a model that
linked the process-centered approach of learning styles and the content and product-
driven multiple intelligence theory.
Figure 2 shows how you might construct a classroom display of information about
intelligences, styles, and possible vocations. Consider kinesthetic intelligence and the
difference between a Tiger Woods and a Gene Kelly: People who excel in this
intelligence, with an Understanding style, might be professional athletes (like Tiger
Woods), dance critics, or sports analysts; people with a Self-expressive style might
be sculptors, choreographers, dancers (like Gene Kelly), actors, mimes, or
puppeteers.
LINGUISTIC
Mastery
Write an article
Put together a magazine
Develop a plan
Develop a newscast
Describe a complex procedure/object
Interpersonal
Write a letter
Make a pitch
Conduct an interview
Counsel a fictional character or a friend
Understanding
Make a case
Make/defend a decision
Advance a theory
Interpret a text
Explain an artifact
Self-Expressive
Write a play
Develop a plan to direct
Spin a tale
Develop an advertising campaign
Mastery: The ability to use the body and tools to take effective action or to
construct or repair (mechanic, trainer, contractor, craftsperson, tool and dye
maker)
Interpersonal: The ability to use the body to build rapport, to console and
persuade, and to support others (coach, counselor, salesperson, trainer)
Understanding: The ability to plan strategically or to critique the actions of the
body (physical educator, sports analyst, professional athlete, dance critic)
Self-expressive: The ability to appreciate the aesthetics of the body and to use
those values to create new forms of expression (sculptor, choreographer,
actor, dancer, mime, puppeteer)
Mastery: The ability to organize people and to communicate clearly what needs
to be done (administrator, manager, politician)
Interpersonal: The ability to use empathy to help others and to solve
problems (social worker, doctor, nurse, therapist, teacher)
Understanding: The ability to discriminate and interpret among different kinds
of interpersonal clues (sociologist, psychologist, psychotherapist, professor of
psychology or sociology)
Self-expressive: The ability to influence and inspire others to work toward a
common goal (consultant, charismatic leader, politician, evangelist)
Mastery: The ability to assess one's own strengths, weaknesses, talents, and
interests and use them to set goals (planner, small business owner)
Interpersonal: The ability to use understanding of oneself to be of service to
others (counselor, social worker)
Understanding: The ability to form and develop concepts and theories based
on an examination of oneself (psychologist)
Self-expressive: The ability to reflect on one's inner moods, intuitions, and
temperament and to use them to create or express a personal vision (artist,
religious leader, writer)
Does it help us develop every student's capacity to learn what we believe all
students need to know?
Does it help each student discover and develop his or her unique abilities and
interests?
In conjunction, both multiple intelligences and learning styles can work together to
form a powerful and integrated model of human intelligence and learning—a model
that respects and celebrates diversity and provides us with the tools to meet high
standards.
Summary of the Eight IntelligencesIntelligence AreaStrengthsPreferencesLearns best
throughNeedsVerbal / LinguisticWriting, reading, memorizing dates, thinking in words, telling storiesWrite,
read, tell stories, talk, memorize, work at solving puzzlesHearing and seeing words, speaking, reading,
writing, discussing and debatingBooks, tapes, paper diaries, writing tools, dialogue, discussion, debated,
stories, etc.Mathematical/ LogicalMath, logic, problem-solving, reasoning, patternsQuestion, work with
numbers, experiment, solve problemsWorking with relationships and patterns, classifying, categorizing,
working with the abstractThings to think about and explore, science materials, manipulative, trips to the
planetarium and science museum, etc.Visual / SpatialMaps, reading charts, drawing, mazes, puzzles,
imagining things, visualizationDraw, build, design, create, daydream, look at picturesWorking with
pictures and colors, visualizing, using the mind’s eye, drawingLEGOs, video, movies, slides, art,
imagination games, mazes, puzzles, illustrated book, trips to art museums, etc.Bodily /
KinestheticAthletics, dancing, crafts, using tools, actingMove around, touch and talk, body
languageTouching, moving, knowledge through bodily sensations, processingRole-play, drama, things to
build, movement, sports and physical games, tactile experiences, hands-on learning, etc.MusicalPicking
up sounds, remembering melodies, rhythms, singingSing, play an instrument, listen to music,
humRhythm, singing, melody, listening to music and melodiesSing-along time, trips to concerts, music
playing at home and school, musical instruments, etc.InterpersonalLeading, organizing, understanding
people, communicating, resolving conflicts, sellingTalk to people, have friends, join groupsComparing,
relating, sharing, interviewing, cooperatingFriends, group games, social gatherings, community events,
clubs, mentors/ apprenticeships, etc.IntrapersonalRecognizing strengths and weaknesses, setting goals,
understanding selfWork alone, reflect pursue interestsWorking alone, having space, reflecting, doing self-
paced projectsSecret places, time alone, self-paced projects, choices, etc.NaturalisticUnderstanding
nature, making distinctions, identifying flora and faunaBe involved with nature, make distinctionsWorking
in nature, exploring living things, learning about plants and natural eventsOrder, same/different,
connections to real life and science issues, patterns
Multiple Intelligences: Classroom Application (Table added by Brandy Bellamy and Camille Baker, 2005)
Musical
Take students outside to enjoy nature while in Students organize thoughts using
learning process (lecture) natural cycles
Compare authentic subject matter to natural Students make relationships amon
occurrences. content and the natural environmen
(how has nature had an impact?)
Natural Relate subject matter to stages that occur in nature
istic (plants, weather, etc) Students perform community servic