Strategies for teaching should recognize that each student has unique strengths, much like how a bird excels in the sky and a fish thrives underwater. Have you ever looked at a bird and thought, “That bird is pretty dumb for not being able to swim”? Or seen a fish and judged it as “stupid” because it can’t fly? It might sound ridiculous, right?

Each of these creatures has its unique strengths. They don’t need to be able to do the other’s job to succeed at what they do best. The same logic applies to students or even employees. Just like animals, humans have different ways of processing and learning new information. That’s why it’s important to recognize and understand their diverse learning styles and what strategies we can use to best help them.

In teaching, recognizing these differences is critical to delivering effective and engaging lessons. Learning styles influence how students absorb information, interact with peers, and express their understanding. In this article, we’ll explore strategies for teaching that address these differences, focusing on the VARK model—Visual, Aural, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic—and provide tips for each.

Learning Styles: Why “One Size” Doesn’t Fit All

Imagine trying to teach a fish how to fly. No matter how hard you try, you won’t succeed unless you acknowledge that fish are made for swimming, not soaring through the sky. The same goes for students (and actually employees)—teaching strategies that work for one may not work for another. Understanding different learning styles and using the right strategies are essential for effective teaching. Just like how we embrace the diversity in nature, we must also embrace the diversity of learning preferences in our classrooms, and even working environment.

The thing is, students don’t always fit neatly into one category. Some might have a preference for one style, while others might blend multiple styles. Therefore, it’s important to use a variety of teaching methods to create an environment where all students can thrive. Recognizing the unique preferences of each student, we can provide their individual needs and set them up for success.

4 Main Learning Styles and Strategies

Visual Learners

(Seeing is Believing)

Visual learners understand and remember information better when they can see it. They’re the type of students who enjoy looking at charts, diagrams, and colorful images to grasp new concepts. Just like how a picture can speak a thousand words, these students retain information more effectively when it’s represented visually.

Characteristics:

• They love to observe and notice details.
• Often, they use highlighters, colored pens, or different fonts to emphasize key points.
• They have vivid imaginations and can easily picture scenarios or concepts in their minds.
• Long, detailed texts or verbal instructions may overwhelm them.

Teaching Strategies:

• To cater to visual learners, use charts, diagrams, videos, and infographics as part of your teaching strategies.
• These students will benefit from handouts, outlines, and written summaries of the main ideas.
• Color-coding materials can also help them make connections and remember key concepts.
• Encourage visual learners to create mind maps, flowcharts, or doodles to organize their thoughts and review the material.
• Just like a painter needs their canvas, visual learners need a colorful and visual representation of what they are learning.

Aural Learners

(Hear, Absorb, Repeat)

Aural learners are auditory learners. They learn best through sound, including music, rhythm, and spoken words. These learners can often remember information by listening to it, whether it’s through lectures, podcasts, or discussions.

Characteristics:

• They tend to be good listeners and can follow spoken directions well.
• Also, they use mnemonics, acronyms, jingles, or songs to memorize facts or formulas.
• They thrive in an environment where verbal explanations and conversations are central.
• This type of learner can easily repeat or explain what they have heard.
• Similarly, they often enjoy discussions, debates, and oral presentations.
• They often find it easier to recall spoken information than written instructions.
•  Although, they may need help with written assignments or tests and may need to hear them read aloud.
• They excel in discussions and enjoy debates or oral presentations.

Teaching strategies:

For aural learners, make use of storytelling, verbal explanations, and discussions. Encourage them to participate in debates, presentations, or group discussions to reinforce their learning. You can even introduce rhythmic chants or catchy songs to help them memorize concepts. Just like a musician who memorizes notes by listening, aural learners thrive when information is presented verbally or through sound.

• Make use of verbal explanations, descriptions, or stories to introduce or reinforce concepts.
• Provide audio recordings, podcasts, or lectures that they can listen to at their own pace.
• Find a use for music, sound effects, or voice inflections to create interest or emphasize points.
• Moreover, use rhyme, rhythm, or repetition to help them remember critical information.
• Besides, encourage them to participate in discussions, debates, or role plays.
• Additionally, ask them to summarize, paraphrase, or explain their learning.
• Allow them to use oral reports, interviews, or podcasts as alternative assessments.

Reading/Writing Learners

(The Power of Words)

Learners who are inclined towards reading and writing learn best through these activities because they are all about the written words. Individuals with solid linguistic skills often prefer learning and communicating through the written word. They have a knack for using language effectively, so their vocabulary is quite extensive. These students are often voracious readers and writers. They process information best when they can read about it or write notes to reinforce their understanding. For them, language is a powerful tool for learning.

Characteristics:

• They love reading books, articles, and other written materials.
• Learners under this category like to take notes, make lists, or write summaries of what they have learned.
• They are strong writers, with good grammar and vocabulary so they can easily express themselves in writing and have good grammar and spelling.
• Also, they often prefer to study alone and in quiet environments.
• However, they may have difficulty with oral or visual instructions and may need to read them several times.

Teaching strategies:

• To engage reading/writing learners, provide them with texts, articles, or written resources to explore.
• Also, provide written instructions, guidelines, or feedback for assignments or tasks.
• Then utilize words, definitions, or quotations to explain or illustrate concepts.
• Encourage them to read widely and critically and to compare and contrast different sources or perspectives.
• Let them write essays, reports, or even blogs to express their understanding.
• Written assignments are ideal for reinforcing their knowledge.
• Allow them to use dictionaries, thesauruses, or online resources to enhance their vocabulary or research skills.
• Challenge them to create their texts, stories, or poems based on the topics or themes covered.

Kinesthetic Learners

(Learning Through Movement)

This type of learner thrives best by doing. Mostly, individuals in this type of learning prefer physical activities, hands-on tasks, experiments, and simulations to understand and apply information. Also, they have a good sense of balance and coordination. These learners need to move around, touch things, and actively participate in learning. Physical activities and simulations are their best allies when it comes to understanding new concepts.

Characteristics:

• They are active and often have a hard time sitting still as they enjoy moving around and exploring their surroundings.
• Nevertheless, they often need help sitting still or focusing for long periods.
• They learn by doing and prefer hands-on experiences.
• Also, they can easily manipulate objects, tools, or instruments and learn by trial and error.
• They may struggle with abstract concepts unless they can physically manipulate objects or participate in activities related to those concepts.
• Similarly, they like to use gestures, body language, or facial expressions to communicate or emphasize points.
• However, they may struggle with abstract or theoretical concepts and must see them in action.

Teaching strategies:

• Kinesthetic learners excel when they are given the chance to engage in physical activities such as experiments, role-plays, or projects that allow them to apply what they have learned.
• Introduce or review concepts using physical activities, games, or exercises.
• Illustrate or demonstrate concepts using real-life examples, scenarios, or case studies.
• Encourage them to use models, props, or manipulatives to represent or visualize information.
• Ask them to perform, act out, or demonstrate what they have learned.
• Allow them to use portfolios, scrapbooks, or videos as alternative assessments.
• Challenge them to create activities, games, or experiments based on the covered topics or themes.
• These students may also benefit from creating hands-on projects to demonstrate their understanding.

Learning for Everyone

So, we’ve talked about how every student learns a little differently, right? It’s like planning a potluck – you wouldn’t just bring one dish and expect everyone to be happy. You’d want a variety of options to make sure everyone finds something they like. That’s how we need to think about teaching too. We need to offer a mix of visual aids, hands-on activities, and opportunities for listening and discussion to reach all our students.

Now, here’s the thing: learning styles aren’t set in stone. Sometimes a student might learn best by seeing diagrams, other times they might prefer to listen to a lecture, and sometimes they just need to get their hands dirty and build something. Kids change, topics change, and their preferred learning styles can change too. So, we’ve got to be flexible and keep offering different ways to learn. Think of it as having a toolbox full of different tools – you choose the right one for the job.

Just like a bird is meant to fly and a fish is meant to swim, each student has their special talents and ways of learning. When we recognize those differences and adapt our teaching, we create a classroom where everyone feels supported and can truly shine. Understanding learning styles – like the VARK model (Visual, Aural, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic) – gives us a roadmap for reaching each student and helping them reach their full potential.

This isn’t just about teaching techniques; it’s about connecting with our students on a deeper level. It’s about creating a classroom where everyone feels seen, heard, and understood. It’s about moving away from that old “one-size-fits-all” mentality and embracing the beautiful diversity of learners in front of us. Whether they’re budding artists, gifted writers, or hands-on builders, we can equip them with the tools they need to succeed.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Next time you’re planning a lesson, think about those different learning styles. How can you incorporate a variety of approaches to reach every student? Try something new, experiment, and see what works best. And most importantly, let’s keep this conversation going! Share your own experiences and ideas in the comments below – I’d love to hear what you’re doing in your classrooms. Let’s learn from each other and create amazing learning experiences for all our students. Voila! I’m excited to see you at the next discussion!

Additional References:

WGU Hey Teach. 2020, November 18. Accommodating different learning styles: 3 tips to guide you. https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/accommodating-different-learning-styles-3-tips-guide-you-01702.html

Virtual Speech. 2020, October 29. Teaching strategies for the 8 different learning styles. https://virtualspeech.com/blog/teaching-strategies-different-learning-styles

Resilient Educator. n.d. Teaching styles: Different teaching methods & strategies. https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/5-types-of-classroom-teaching-styles/