Learning refers to a process of acquiring new knowledge allowing us to improve our personal and professional skills, but not everyone learns the same way. Some people learn best by listening, while others need to learn through watching or practising. It is therefore important to know the different learning styles and conditions that can help you get the most out of your learning experience.
What are the different learning styles?
Visual learning
Visual learning or visible learning is a method that relies on the use of pictures, videos, charts, diagrams and other visual aids to help learners understand and remember concepts. This style of learning is particularly suited for learners who have a strong visual memory and have difficulty retaining written or oral information. Visual learning is increasingly being used in classrooms and online learning areas.
Auditory learning
Auditory learners tend to understand information better by listening to lectures, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. They develop a good auditory memory and easily recall information they have heard. They develop a good auditory memory and easily recall information they have heard.
Verbal Learning
Verbal or language learning focuses on the learner’s ability to express and communicate to assimilate information. This is a modern learning style used for professional training. Conservations and group discussions are good ways to stimulate verbal learning.
Kinesthetic Learning
Kinesthetic learning is often used in practical training. This style of learning relies on the use of physical movements and body sensations to help learners process new information. This teaching method involves handling objects, hands-on exercises, role-playing, simulations and other physical activities.
Logical Learning
Logical learners develop good problem-solving skills and analyze information in an orderly and logical manner. They make causal connections between their ideas. They think mathematically and tend to make assumptions on a logical basis. This type of learner does not have difficulty assimilating theoretical training.
How to test for logical reasoning?
Social learning
Social learning is a learning style that involves a strong preference for learning through social interaction and communication. Social learners tend to learn best by working in groups, exchanging ideas and discussing concepts. They often develop good interpersonal relationships.
How to improve interpersonal relationships?
Solitary learning
Solitary learners are people who like to study independently. They tend to be disciplined and organized in their learning journey. They often prefer to work at their own pace, taking time to think and process information thoroughly. Teaching methods for solitary learners may include individual readings, individual projects, personal research, and other activities that emphasize self-study.
What are the conditions that promote learning?
Being motivated
Motivation is considered the driving force behind a commitment to an apprenticeship. As an apprentice, it allows you to:
- Increase perseverance: it helps you develop a positive mindset and overcome failures and obstacles you may encounter.
- Promote personal satisfaction: if you are motivated, you can achieve your learning goals more easily, which builds your confidence.
- Stimulate creativity: a motivated person tends to find innovative solutions and acquire new knowledge.
To strengthen your motivation for professional learning, you should set clear goals, such as:
- Improving existing skills or developing new skills to advance your professional career;
- Acquiring a certification;
- A professional reconversion;
- Etc.
Controlling your attention
Attention during the learning period is key:
- It improves comprehension: attention allows us to understand and retain information more effectively by focusing on the important details.
- It promotes memory: by being attentive, you can better consolidate information in your long-term memory.
- It allows errors to be identified and corrected quickly: it is important to create an environment conducive to attention where sources of distraction are reduced.
Believe in your personal capacity
The performance obtained after a learning session is not only related to the initial level of the learner’s skills but also depends on his or her own confidence in his or her brain capacity. Believing in your self-efficacy influences how you mobilize your skills, set goals and engage in the learning process.
Ask questions
Asking questions of the pre-service teacher or someone more experienced helps you to:
- Clarify concepts and eliminate doubts;
- Get more explanations;
- Stimulate engagement and participation in the learning process.
Putting acquired skills into practice
Applying what you learn right away is crucial to assessing and refining your skills. Practice allows you to identify gaps and correct them effectively.
Learning in a group
Group learning offers many benefits, such as:
- Encouragement and mutual support: group members can support each other by sharing their knowledge and encouraging each other.
- Sharing ideas: Group learning allows members to share their ideas and discuss different points of view. This can help learners understand topics more fully.
- Social skills development: Learning groups allow learners to work in teams, communicate and develop interpersonal skills.
Varying learning styles
Variations in learning activities can stimulate different skills in learners. Regardless of age, learners will be more motivated if they learn in a way that suits them. By varying learning styles, learners are prepared to deal with different situations.
Considering Emotions
Modern learning guides encourage teachers to take into consideration the emotional state of learners. This is because of the impact of emotional intelligence on the cognitive process. Experts distinguish four learning emotions that can be positive or negative:
- Emotions of achievement: these are emotions related to the outcome of learning, regardless of its failure or success. For example, satisfaction, pride, fear of failure, etc.
- Epistemic emotions: they are triggered by new learning experiences (pleasure of learning, curiosity, perplexity, confusion, astonishment, etc.).
- Thematic emotions: these are related to a specific subject of study, for example having an aversion to mathematics.
- Social emotions: these are derived from the relationships between the learner and those around him/her (appreciation, trust, empathy, shyness, etc.).
Why is an emotional intelligence test important?
Adopt a healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can have many benefits for improving learning ability:
- Better concentration: a healthy, balanced diet helps maintain concentration, improve brain function and reduce mental fatigue.
- Quality sleep: sleep is essential to strengthen memory and improve the ability to recover and concentrate.
- Stress reduction: Chronic stress can affect cognitive function and learning ability. Exercises such as meditation, yoga and deep breathing can help reduce stress.
Discover Your Learning Style
If you want to identify your learning style, it is important to assess your personal skills. HRID provides the ID-Learning Agility allowing you to identify your learning style and will give you development paths allowing you to maximize the acquisition of knowledge and skills by taking into account your preferences and your style. HRID also offers a variety of targeted evaluation tests to meet your personal and professional development objectives.