Like many Australian’s undertaking vocational education and training, beginning or re-entering tertiary education can be daunting. To ensure your performance is your best, it is important to understand your preferred learning style. The three most common forms of learning in training courses are visual, auditory and kinesthetic.
While most people learn through a combination of these styles, if you are dominant or have a preference for one trait, learning and understanding new information can be a dilemma.
Visual Learners and Online Training Courses
This style of learning is concerned with the ability to see and analyse words, graphs, pictures and demonstrations. Generally, visual learners struggle to understand new concepts through purely listening to a tutor. Visual Learners:
1. Learn best and take notes when visual information is being presented
2. Like to create their own charts from learning material
3. Favour handouts, charts and sheets loaded with information
A visual leaner would be well suited to online courses as they have the ability to download and access a variety of learning materials.
Auditory Learners and Blended Learning Courses
Auditory learners avoid reading in favour of listening to the explanation of topics. These learners usually study well with background music and gain hugely from vocal repetition. Auditory Learners:
1. Pay close attention to the tone, pitch and speed of voice
2. Learn best from creating recordings and the playbacks of such
3. Repeat information constantly until it has ‘clicked’ with them People preferring auditory teaching methods would appreciate the dual nature of a blended course.
Blended training allows students to listen online to information as well as attending traditional classroom based classes.
Kinesthetic Learners and Face-to-Face Training Courses
Kinesthetic learners identify learning through ‘hands on’ experiences. Kinesthetic Learners:
1. Possibly suffer from short attention spans
2. Have trouble taking notes from a presentation
3. Enjoy being taught practical skills through physical demonstration
The aspect of sitting, listening and writing conflicts this style and this type of learner would benefit greatly from attending workshop and traditional face-to-face classes.
What is the Benefit of Catering to Your Learning Style?
By categorising your learning style, information absorption is maximised and time taken to learn new skills is minimised. Knowing your learning style can also help you determine the most suitable mode of study to learn effectively with minimal knowledge.
Read more about gaining your training and assessment qualification, the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
