How do You Learn Best?

[Zygen 6,066]

So, with school started up again for me, and mostlikely for many of you, I've just recently starting trying to get back into the learning mood and stuff. Get use to school and the routine and everything else.

 

And I suppose that combined with other random explained things gave me the thought to make this topic.

 

I've heard from many of my teachers about different learning styles, and from other people as well, and while I've done research online a little and discovered there are a bunch of different ways to interpret different learning styles, I'm probably just going to stick to the three I think are most basic, unless something makes me feel as though there should be other types included. 

 

The four main types from what i've gathered are as follows.

 

Visual Learner:  Visual learners tend to learn best well.. visually. They may recall words and such by simply seeing them, and may want a demonstration provided to help them learn. These people are also usually imaginative, and may learn well from descriptions of something too! They may also become distracted by movement while learning, but are less concerned about noises. 

 

Auditory Learner: Auditory Learners learn best by listening to the teachers verbal instructions. They may enjoy things like plays, dialogue, and the like over books and other things. They may recall things better when speaking it to themselves, or having it spoken to them by others. However they also may be distracted by sounds more so than visual learners. 

 

Tactile Learner: Tactile learners learn best by taking notes or reading something, as well as by drawing and doodling. They also learn well when doing hands on activities sort of like Kinesthetics, things like labs, projects, and such.

 

Kinesthetic Learner: Kinesthetics like to be active and involved in what they learn, while similar to tactile in a way, kinesthetic learners tend to learn best while moving and being actively involved, and they lose much of what is said in lectures and the such. They much prefer to do, rather than to watch. These type of learners tend to also have high amounts of energy.

 

I know some of that may seem redundant, especially if you know about all this stuff(Which many of you probably do.) but I felt like putting some kind of definition down anyways ;p.

 

While all of us learn to some extent through one of these methods, apparently, we usually have one method we find the best method for us personally, the one we learn best with.

 

So what would yours be do you think?

 

I personally think I'm probably a Kinesthetic, since I tend to like doing things instead of just having someone show me or tell me how to do something. 

 

Although I suppose i could also be auditory, only thing is that I feel I don't recall auditory stuff the best always. (Except names, I think i'm pretty good with names.)

 

Sorry if any of this information is kinda eh on the explanation, or if I'm lacking in knowledge on the subject, I haven't known about this all that long, and haven't learned a ton about it or anything. Plus i'm only a Junior in highschool so ;p.

 

If anything is incorrect, i'll try and change it. 

 

Alright, have a great day everyone!(Or well, it's night over here right now ;p.)

 

Edit: added in a 4th learning type, due to Miles informing me of it. I will edit the poll and the descriptions of the learning types to help adjust to this.

 

Edited August 13, 2014 by Zygen

[Nulln 755]

I like to do things.  That's why I love biology, there's a lot of labs you get to actually do.  It makes it fun, and experiencing something sticks with me better than just hearing or seeing something.

[Miles 2,512]

There are actually 4 types of learning styles, and one may not always fit into just one category.

http://csl.cofc.edu/documents/study-skills/online-library/learning_styles/learning_styles_the_four_modalities.pdf

 

I'm probably mostly tactile with some kinesthetic mixed in.

---

 

P.S. If you like this stuff, Zygen, then I ask you, have you heard of the Myers-Briggs/Jungs Typology test?
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

I'm an INFJ.

 

Edit: Just wanted to add these:
http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html

http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/personality/types/infj/overview/

As well as say this: Some might say they don't like to "profile" themselves with these types, and to this I say, it's not a 100% perfect description for everyone, but I do know that, for me, those 2 links above (explaining INFJ) describe me very well...

Edited August 13, 2014 by Miles

[Vemillia Nightshade 2,247]

I'm largely a Kinesthetic Learner. I learn more by doing things hands on. Though am Visual Learner to some level depending what I'm learning. It's typically more Kinesthetic and Visual most times.       

[IceeBrony 251]

I'm not a big fan of tying to stick people into categories like this. Most people are a combination of them. You gotta find what works best for you. And don't be afraid to try different things. Also, you are probably your biggest enemy or ally. Just remember Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Don't Panic." I've seen people become literally unable to do simple addition because of stress.

 

The Myers-Briggs... I think I change types every time I take that test

[Shanks 10,816]

I am somewhat of a mix of visual and kinsthetic, I can pick up a lot of things by seeing but of course there is also the practice that goes into it.

[Princess Periwinkle 3,775]

Gotta do it once, so I know how it's done. Otherwise I'm usually hopeless.

[Jeric 46,851]

 

 

Kinesthetic Learner: Or as I like to call it, the "Do it" kinda learners, these people learn best from doing things, interacting with what they're trying to learn, maybe practicing it, they don't tend to learn as well from visual representations, or auditory speaking of the material. (This one doesn't atleast have a super literal definition I guess ;p.)

 

 

 

Visual Learner: You tend to learn best with seeing things(hence the term "visual" learner) like graphic organizers, and other diagrams and visual representations, I guess this area would also include stuff like books and just reading of information.

 

I had to quote both of these, because it really depends on what it is I'm doing. If it is something that is active like car repair, cooking, programming, and writing then am an active learner. With those examples, I had to get my hands dirty ... fail a few times ... and do it again.

 

However, if it's a passive subject, like history, science, math, etc then visual learning is how I absorb the most knowledge efficiently. Though I supplement some of my lit and history knowledge with a good Yale lecture course. I also would love to test active learning with history but Dr. Who and I are not on speaking terms since he got old. 

[Ruddboy Olaf 10,628]

As you already know,I'm a "do it" learner.

 

I don't learn well from books.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

Well, I guess I can be sort of an 'all-of-the-abover,' if you will.

 

Granted I think I prefer to have it explained and demonstrated; then some additional reading.

 

I can't say I'm just one or the other.

[Zygen 6,066]

I like to do things.  That's why I love biology, there's a lot of labs you get to actually do.  It makes it fun, and experiencing something sticks with me better than just hearing or seeing something.

We didn't do a bunch of labs in biology that I had in high school last year, but that's highschool ;p. I'm also a bit squemish, so some of the most disgusting things can kinda get to me. Still, I can see how that would help your enjoyment doing things.

 

I do agree I find doing things does help it stick better typically.

There are actually 4 types of learning styles, and one may not always fit into just one category.

 

http://csl.cofc.edu/documents/study-skills/online-library/learning_styles/learning_styles_the_four_modalities.pdf

 

I'm probably mostly tactile with some kinesthetic mixed in.

 

---

 

P.S. If you like this stuff, Zygen, then I ask you, have you heard of the Myers-Briggs/Jungs Typology test?

http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

I'm an INFJ.

 

Edit: Just wanted to add these:

http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html

http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/personality/types/infj/overview/

As well as say this: Some might say they don't like to "profile" themselves with these types, and to this I say, it's not a 100% perfect description for everyone, but I do know that, for me, those 2 links above (explaining INFJ) describe me very well...

Oh really? I kinda thought tactile and Kinesthetic were just really similar. I'll have to throw it in there then I suppose, give me a little bit.

 

And I know that many people won't fit into one, but for the sake of this, I just wanted people to try and pick one. Honestly many people may be some of each one here and there, and it's not set in stone, but it's interesting to do regardless.

 

 

As for the Myers briggs personality stuff. I've taken it a few times, but I forget what I am usually afterwards, but I'm pretty sure i've changed like everytime atleast somewhat. I don't remember what I got last time, so I took it again, and got INFJ, of course, I'm also not always the best at my own analysis of my personality, and that may contribute to why it changes so much, but still. I'm kinda already unsure of my personality overall myself ;p. 

 

But the description for INFJ atleast on the first link is pretty accurate overall it seems, not entirely so, but it gets a good bit accurate. Atleast to my knowledge, but again I don't entirely understand my own personality, so yeah ;p.

 

I'm largely a Kinesthetic Learner. I learn more by doing things hands on. Though am Visual Learner to some level depending what I'm learning. It's typically more Kinesthetic and Visual most times.       

I see, yeah, I mean having a combination is helpful to many, I just felt like making people pick one, for the sake of this thread really ;p. 

 

But even I myself am kinda a mix at times, so yeah.

 

I'm not a big fan of tying to stick people into categories like this. Most people are a combination of them. You gotta find what works best for you. And don't be afraid to try different things. Also, you are probably your biggest enemy or ally. Just remember Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Don't Panic." I've seen people become literally unable to do simple addition because of stress.

 

The Myers-Briggs... I think I change types every time I take that test

In one way I don't really like categories either, because it's very true most are combinations and there are lots of variations on this and stuff, and people are just quite complex, most don't understand themselves that much anyways. 

 

And I agree you are your biggest enemy or ally, that is quite true, especially for someone with incredibly lacking self confidence. 

 

It changes for me quite often too i think, but in another way I still find it interesting to see how things go with these type of things, and how people tend to pick and why, as well as the personality tests and how well I feel the tests read my personality in my opinion.

 

But not understanding my own personality, and the fact I feel personalities can be quite complex and confusing, it's obviously not going to be entirely accurate.

 

But it's accurate on usually several things regardless.

 

I get what your saying though.

 

I am somewhat of a mix of visual and kinsthetic, I can pick up a lot of things by seeing but of course there is also the practice that goes into it.

Yeah, practice can help to solidify things, i mean I can have things explained to me, and then do them, and doing them helps I feel to solidify my knowledge, or the fact I can complete whatever task.

 

Gotta do it once, so I know how it's done. Otherwise I'm usually hopeless.

;p. Eh, whatever works for you .

 

I had to quote both of these, because it really depends on what it is I'm doing. If it is something that is active like car repair, cooking, programming, and writing then am an active learner. With those examples, I had to get my hands dirty ... fail a few times ... and do it again.

 

However, if it's a passive subject, like history, science, math, etc then visual learning is how I absorb the most knowledge efficiently. Though I supplement some of my lit and history knowledge with a good Yale lecture course. I also would love to test active learning with history but Dr. Who and I are not on speaking terms since he got old. 

I guess the situation can certainly make a differences on how you may go about learning it. After all, some things may just not work out very well with explaining, and others may work out better. So it depends I suppose largely.

 

And then some require a combination of course.

As you already know,I'm a "do it" learner.

 

I don't learn well from books.

I'm usually that way myself, but I do have times where simply reading over stuff will help me to recall it later. And again there are other exceptions of course.

 

Well, I guess I can be sort of an 'all-of-the-abover,' if you will.

 

Granted I think I prefer to have it explained and demonstrated; then some additional reading.

 

I can't say I'm just one or the other.

Fair enough, many will be a mix afterall, I just wanted to see if people could try and pick one. Honestly most of us will learn in some way from each, but apparently learn best in one or two different ones.

 

 

Update: Also, Original post and poll has been edited, added "Tactile Learner" to the list, by request of @@Miles,

[Pastel 7,630]

I'm mainly a visual learner: I learn by reading and repeating the words in my head.

[SilverStarApple 849]

I learn by understanding things. From every possible angle. I analyze it until it is completely understood.

 

I pick things up quickly, because I'm good at this.

[Luna 831 466]

I always told my teachers this and it is true. I learn by doing all three of those.

[User0815 264]

Oh yeah I remember learning this lesson about learning styles I wanna say ehhhh maby 4 years ago.

But I'm definitely a more visual and hands on learner than anything else.

[Jennabun 1,579]

Auditory all the way. If someone gives me verbal instructions, I'll remember them for quite a long time. When I read instructions on paper or look at a picture, I tend to forget what I just read or saw like 5 seconds later (unless I read it aloud!)

[BastementSparkle 20,326]

I'm still not entirely sure how I learn. I can't seem to find a way that works most of the time. Sometimes I can learn really well from any one of these methods and other times none of them work at all. It might just be me not being able to learn unless I find something interesting, since if it's something I like I can memorize it incredibly easy.

 

 This became a big problem in later school years because no matter how many times I tried I just couldn't seem to memorize the things I had to. Except in English class where I could learn with almost no effort at all.

[RainbowDashie 767]

I learn most from my mistakes

[SpaceUnicorn 22]

Experientially!  I must experience it to learn it.

[Antismurf9001 1,271]

I'm mostly a kinesthetic/tactile learner (can't quite tell which is stronger; so long as I'm able to stay mobile in some way, I tend to retain more information).  Below that, I'm more auditory than I am visual.  It's sort of a pain in terms of schoolwork because lectures do little to nothing for me, and reading textbooks is useless unless I read every passage a dozen times or I take notes while reading.  Doing the homework is really the only way I really learn anything.  On the flip side though, it provides an excellent incentive to actually do the homework. 

[Felix 1,363]

I learn visually. I can hear the words the teacher says but if I don't see them do/demonstrate/point out the given instructions or knowledge (specifically on a complicated or large lesson especially in Math) then I likely will not get how or what to do right away.

 

This not only applies to school but even some of my hobbies such as drawing. I have yet to find a drawing style and it's simply because I cannot pull an image from my brain and put it down on paper yet. I likely have a few more years of practicing drawing already created characters before I can really do my own characters or images without a reference guide.

Edited August 13, 2014 by Felix

[Nulln 755]

We didn't do a bunch of labs in biology that I had in high school last year, but that's highschool ;p. I'm also a bit squemish, so some of the most disgusting things can kinda get to me. Still, I can see how that would help your enjoyment doing things.

Well, I mean in college.  lol

I don't remember doing anything really gross.  We handled pond water, but nothing too dirty.  lol

No dissections, if that's what you mean.  I would refuse to do that even if it was part of the class.  Not because I'm squeamish, just because I think it's wrong.

[IceeBrony 251]

Well, I mean in college.  lol

I don't remember doing anything really gross.  We handled pond water, but nothing too dirty.  lol

No dissections, if that's what you mean.  I would refuse to do that even if it was part of the class.  Not because I'm squeamish, just because I think it's wrong.

Dissections are important in biology. Even if it's just earth worms. I know a doctor who did some of his cadaver work on a professor of his that died. It's a bit messed up, but it's also very important. Take fetal pigs for example. They are a by-product of the pork industry. We can use them for science or we can toss 'em. They aren't specifically harvested. Being against dissection only make sense if you are against meat, imo. I think that the discomfort from doing dissections is in itself beneficial. That's my two bits on that.

 

I think learning styles are less important when to comes to learning. Knowing what helps you is good, but it's thought that using all of them helps you to learn the knowledge better than any one alone. Taking the same information in different ways helps to reinforce it. Knowing some techniques is more helpful. 

 

Interestingly, some classic techniques are less useful than others. Highlighting, for example, is not seen as favorably as it once was. Neither are rereading or summarizing. The cram session is frowned upon too. Spreading the learning out is good though. As are practice tests or flash cards. Anything the encourages you to pull the info out of you mind. 

 

Example flash card: integral calculus 

1: the area under a curve

2: 

3: 

4: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0LA0WBM0mTY (audio)

 

By putting the information in several forms and then trying to recall the answer, you can increase your ability to remember this fact.

[Nulln 755]

Dissections are important in biology. Even if it's just earth worms. I know a doctor who did some of his cadaver work on a professor of his that died. It's a bit messed up, but it's also very important. Take fetal pigs for example. They are a by-product of the pork industry. We can use them for science or we can toss 'em. They aren't specifically harvested. Being against dissection only make sense if you are against meat, imo. I think that the discomfort from doing dissections is in itself beneficial. That's my two bits on that.

 

i am against meat.  

but there's no reason for dissections.  there's plenty of computer programs that can do a virtual dissection and no animals need to be harmed.  and there's plastic models, and there's pictures, and i'm sure there's videos.  

[IceeBrony 251]

i am against meat.  

but there's no reason for dissections.  there's plenty of computer programs that can do a virtual dissection and no animals need to be harmed.  and there's plastic models, and there's pictures, and i'm sure there's videos.  

I can appreciate your stance against meat.

I still say that dissections are useful. The argument that animals are harmed by dissection is not really true. While many animals are used, most of them are waste products destined for the landfill. Some estimates place the number of animals killed for dissection around 1%. That's not to say I advocate animal abuse. Rather I believe that, when done properly, dissection helps to instill a greater understanding of and respect for our fellow beings. Hearing that all mammals begin life as female until testosterone kicks in is one thing. Seeing the transformation halfway through is something else entirely. Seeing the nerves and blood vessels in an earthworm may make you think twice before "playing" with one. After all, you have the same things yourself.