Some people are auditory learners: people who learn by hearing. They might read something or do it, but it’s not real for them until they hear it. They might read a textbook chapter four times and not get it, yet understand after one explanation from the teacher.

Like other learning types, auditory learners can be in conjunction with other types, and it has subtypes that aren’t acknowledged by most treatments of the topic. Auditory learning is, however, one of the primary learning types, roughly equal with visual learners for its pervasiveness.

1. Discuss

Some audio learners might find discussion better than strict listening or speaking, with it as a combination of the two. Pick discussion-based classes when or if you have a choice. See if you can find classmates willing to discuss what you learned in class, or friends who will chat about concepts you need to know to help you learn them well.

2. Listen

Heed what others say. Take very close notice to whatever the teacher says in class, and when possible, study from others’ speech. See if you can find classmates who learn better by speaking; maybe one will be willing to speak loudly enough for you to hear.

3. Read

Read your lesson out loud. Pay attention to what you’re saying; hearing yourself say it can stimulate learning. Especially do this if you only have something written to work with, like a book. Reading aloud while researching for a paper might also help you best process it. It needn’t be loud; the only one who needs to hear you is you, unless you’re helping a listener study. (more…)

Some people are kinesthetic learners: people who need motion to learn. These people can’t exactly learn the best from just hearing something said or from seeing it—they need to do it. These are often called “tactile” learners, too, though on a practical level “touch” is really a distinct learning type. You can be one without being the other, so don’t be too attached to the technicalities.

The fact is, even in the overall “kinesthetic” learning type, different subtypes exist, and only partially because of different possible secondary learning type combos. Colors help some people; hinder others. Some people find themselves better oriented towards the doing aspect that teachers usually cater to; others find it better just to move.

1. Chew

Does your school or situation allow you to chew gum? Do you lack braces or TMJ? Then quietly chewing a bit of gum might offer the motion stimulus you need to help you learn. Just make sure you keep your mouth closed—smacking’s a sure way of making others mad at you and maybe even of losing your gum privileges.

2. Color

Make a photocopy of your notes or the map or whatever you’re studying. Now pull out some colored pencils, highlighters, or whatever you have available, and color it! Pay attention to what you’re coloring, and the act of coloring could be your best option. It’s also possible that the mere act of color-coding your notes might be enough.

3. Jitter

This can really annoy people, but sometimes silently tapping your leg or bouncing your foot can be the stimulus you need to learn or maybe even pay attention when listening to a lecture, since it’s a healthy alternative to (rudely) picking your nails. The foot-bouncing produces less movement and less distraction to those around you than leg-bouncing does, so even those who protest leg motion might be placated with this compromise. (more…)

Most people are visual learners: people who learn by seeing. You can say something to them, or have them work through it, but if they don’t see what they’re doing… Well, you’d be better off telling it to your cat, since at least that wouldn’t even be trying to understand you.

Even within the “visual” type, subtypes exist, as do different learning type combos. For example, someone’s learning style can be primarily kinesthetic and visual (from monochromatic words, typed). As that visual subtype suggests, it’s possible for visual learners to be quite specific as to what type of seeing works best for them. For most, pictures work best, but this is not the case for everyone. Some do better from words (arguably called the “verbal” learning style, though that has some other not-always-applicable baggage). You’ll probably find a combination of the methods below to help you.

1. Black & White

Some visual learners, like me, do best with a “monochromatic” setting: black and white. Colors can actually hinder learning in people like this. Highlighters are a big no-no. If faced with something in color that you have to learn, making a grayscale photocopy to study can help.

2. Colored

Make a copy of what you’re studying and color or highlight it. The coloring itself might help those with a kinesthetic leaning, but if that’s not you, pay more attention to the finished product. If colors help you, think of yourself as a “polychromatic” visual learner, requiring “many colors.”

3. Computer Screen

Study off your computer screen. You do read things differently on computer (due to the technicalities of monitor function); a minority of visual learners who prefer computer screens undoubtedly exist. Visual learners in general might also find it better to study things they’ll only use on computer (like HTML) onscreen rather than off a printed page. (more…)