66 Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, July-September 2021, Vol. 15, No.
Learning Styles: An Overview
Amita Sood1, Jyoti Sarin2
1Ph. D. (Nursing) Scholar and Tutor, Govt. College of Nursing, Amritsar, Punjab, 2Director-Principal, MM College
of Nursing, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana
Abstract
Learning styles aim to know variations in individuals’ learning. As per most of the theories, humans may
be classified in line with their ‘style’ of learning. The term “learning styles” speaks to the understanding that
each student learns uniquely. Learning is a vital experience for individuals of all ages. Based on Howard
Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, there are eight varieties of learning styles that everybody falls
into which include visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social, solitary and naturalistic learning.
Learning style inventories are designed to assist respondents verify learning style they have. These
inventories usually take the form of a questionnaire that focuses on how folks prefer to learn.
Learning style inventories are based on the thought that individuals have completely different strengths and
preferences when it involves learning. Learning style inventories remain a preferred classroom tool despite
the actual fact that research has found very little proof that matching a student’s learning preferences to
instructional methods produces better educational outcomes. These are a few popular types of learning style
inventories such as Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (LSI), Fleming’s VARK Learning Style Questionnaire,
Jackson’s Learning Styles Profiler (LSP), Learning Style Quizzes.
In short, it is important to remember that there are a number of learning styles and learning style inventories.
Each learning style has its own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing your learning style is not meant to
limit you, instead to expand you – by helping you to learn, understand, work and live more efficiently.
Key words: Learning, Learning styles, Learning style Inventory, Learning style questionnaire, Learning
Styles Profiler, Learning style quiz
Introduction within the Nineteen Seventies, and has greatly influenced
education despite the criticism that the thought has been
Learning styles discuss with variety of competitive received from some researchers . Proponents advocate
and contested theories. These aim to know variations that academics need to run a needs analysis to assess the
in individuals’ learning . As per most of the theories, learning styles of their students and adapt their classroom
humans may be classified in line with their ‘style’ of strategies to best match every student’s learning style .
learning, however these theories disagree in how the
planned designs ought to be outlined, classified and Though there’s ample proof that people express
assessed1, . A standard belief is that people are often preferences for a way they like to receive information5,
differentiated within the ways in which they learn .The few studies have found any validity in utilizing learning
idea of personalized learning designs became well-liked designs in education3. Critics say that there’s no
sufficient proof that exploring an individual’s learning
Corresponding author: style and using the same in teaching produces higher
Name: Ms. Amita Sood student outcomes5, . They usually consider this as a
Designation and address: Ph.D. Nursing Scholar at MM “neuromyth” in education2, . There’s proof of empirical
College of nursing, MM university, Mullana, Ambala, and pedagogic issues associated with forcing learning
Haryana and Tutor at Govt. College of nursing, tasks to “correspond to in a during a one-to-one fashion” .
Amritsar, e-mail Id: amitasood13@[Link] Studies contradict the widespread “meshing hypothesis”
Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, July-September 2021, Vol. 15, No. 3 67
that a student can learn best if instructed in a technique how individuals retain and process info. Whereas one
deemed acceptable for the student’s learning style5. literature review identified Seventy one completely
They additionally show that teachers cannot assess the different learning style models, we are going to be
learning styles of their students accurately . focusing on the Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple
Intelligences. Based on this, there are eight varieties of
DEFINITION
learning styles that everybody falls into.
The term “learning styles” speaks to the
The more you recognize these completely
understanding that each student learns uniquely. In
different learning styles, the more ready you may be to
other words, an individual’s learning style refers to the
assist yourself (or your children) learn a brand
preferential manner within which the student absorbs,
new ability, idea, language, or concept—no matter the
processes, comprehends and retains information .
study material.
TYPES
Based on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences the
Learning is a vital experience for individuals of all eight types of learning styles are as follows:
ages. Analysis has shown that there’s variety of ways,
1. Visual (Spatial) As the name suggests, 3. Verbal (Linguistic)
visual learners are those who learn best after
Verbal learners learn best through what they
they have pictures to assist them process the information.
hear. Typically, they love written as well as spoken
This learning style requires the learners to 1st see what
word, excelling in each. These learners typically come
they’re expected to understand. They conjointly ought
in speechmaking, writing, journalism, and debating.
to project their thoughts so as to process them better.
One can be considered a visual learner if he prefers One can be considered verbal learner if he needs
pictures, images, and mind maps to help himself process to read out content loud to learn something or prefers to
information. have someone explain it to him so that he can process it.
2. Aural (Auditory-Musical) 4. Physical (Kinesthetic)
Aural learning is employed to classify those If you’re somebody who likes getting their hands
that respond primarily to sound and speech. dirty, then you’re probably a physical learner. Physical
Unsurprisingly, several musicians are aural learners are animated and they learn best by probing the
learners. Aural learners typically bear in mind what motions of what they’re learning.
their teacher says and promptly participate in
school. These also are people who respond best to One can be considered physical learner if he doesn’t
things like binaural beats learn something until he does it himself. He needs to
draw out his own diagrams to learn new information.
One can be considered aural learner if he prefers He may also be constantly in motion and speak with his
learning through rhythms or tend to use clever rhymes to hands.
remember something.
68 Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, July-September 2021, Vol. 15, No. 3
5. Logical (Mathematical) assist respondents verify learning style they have. These
inventories usually take the form of a questionnaire that
Most logical thinkers find themselves being
focuses on how students prefer to learn. Respondents
engineers, mathematicians, or following the
select the answers that most closely fit their own
sciences. They’re the people who need to know the
preferences.
explanations behind and have a tendency to relish games
like chess and doing brainteasers. Learning style inventories are based on the thought that
individuals have completely different strengths and
One can be considered logical learner if he learns
preferences when it involves learning. Several theories
something only when he understands the bigger picture,
exist suggesting that individuals are often classified based
along with the logic, reasoning, and systems behind the
on their predominant learning ‘style.’ Most of
concepts.
these concepts propose that each individual
6. Social (Interpersonal) learns differently and that designing instruction based
on these learning styles will enhance the tutorial method.
As the name suggests, social learners are true
individuals. They usually like direct involvement with This notion that individuals possess completely
others in group projects. They’re excited by dialog and different learning styles 1st became a preferred thought
may seek out feedback from instructors. However, they’ll during the Seventies12. Since then, learning style theories
not be comfortable to perform best once needed to work have had an incredible impact on the field of education.
alone or on self-paced projects. Teachers use learning style inventories at the beginning
of a session to understand more regarding learning styles
One can be considered a social learner if he prefers of students and to assist them perceive how they learn in
to work with other people and finds himself learn best better way.
in groups.
Uses of Learning Style Inventories
7. Solitary (Intrapersonal)
Learning style inventories are most widely used
Solitary learners are people preferring to learn on their classroom tool despite the actual fact that research has
own. They’re self-motivated and extremely independent. found very little proof that matching a student’s learning
They favour a quiet surroundings each in their personal preferences to instructional methods produces better
and academic lives. educational outcomes. Several studies have found that
students taught according to their identified learning
One can be considered a solitary learner if he
style do no better than students who aren’t matched to
needs to sit alone and study by himself in order to retain
their style.13
information.
However, research has supported the concept that
8. Naturalistic
individuals have definite preferences for how they
In many ways like kinesthetic learners, learn new information14. At best, learning style
a naturalistic learner is the most up-to-date addition inventories could be a way for students to develop study
to Gardner’s theory. These people are a lot in tune habits that keep them interested and engaged within
with nature. They use components and patterns within the learning process.
the natural world to form products and solve issues.
Students might find it helpful to discover their
One can be considered a naturalistic learner if he preferences and then use this info to hone their
likes to explore nature and spend time outdoors, getting study routines. Visual learners, for instance, would
his hands dirty. possibly like making symbols, graphs, and alternative
visual information while studying the material in
Learning Style Inventory question.
Learning style inventories are designed to
Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, July-September 2021, Vol. 15, No. 3 69
Popular Types of Learning Style Inventories exactly the same way you do. There are many benefits
to understanding how you learn information best. Some
These are a few popular types of learning style
of these include:
inventories:
· maximizes one’s learning potential
Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (LSI)
· ensures success
Perhaps one of the best-known and most generally used
questionnaires is the Learning style Inventory · gives one personalized strategies to score high
(LSI) based on Kolb’s learning styles15. The assessment
· allows one to be told “his way” – through one’s
allows students to identify their learning style and
own best methods
additionally provides information on how teachers can
utilize this information to best serve students as well as · helps overcome the constraints of
possible strategies for accommodating different learning improper directions
styles.
· reduces the strain and frustration of learning
Fleming’s VARK Learning Style Questionnaire experiences
In Fleming’s VARK learning style model, · expands your existing learning
learners are identified as one of four totally different types: and learning methods
visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic. In 1992,
he printed a questionnaire based on his model that was · Accurate image of classroom diversity
designed to assist individuals learn more about their own
· Better results and a lot of job satisfaction
style16. The model and questionnaire quickly became
extremely popular among students and educators, and · A personalized report aimed toward the teacher
both remain widely used nowadays.
· increases your confidence
Jackson’s Learning Styles Profiler (LSP)
· teaches you the way to use your brain best
The Learning Styles Profiler (LSP) relies on Chris
J. Jackson’s hybrid model of learning and personality. · enables you to get pleasure from any
Jackson’s model suggests that learning styles are learning method
influenced by a range of factors, including experience, · inspires bigger curiosity and motivation
personal choice, and biology. The profiler is designed for long learning
to assess how individuals learn at work, so it’s
usually utilized in organizational and business settings17. · shows you the way to require advantage of your
natural skills and inclinations
Learning Style Quizzes
· Improves discernment
There are several free online quizzes accessible
online, while these informal questionnaires are a fun way Conclusion
to gain a bit additional insight into how you prefer
It is important to remember that there are a number
to learn, it’s important to understand that most have
of learning styles and many learning style inventories to
never been studied or validated in any way. Taking
identify them but there is no right or wrong learning style.
such online quizzes are often a fun way to discover some
Each learning style has advantages and disadvantages.
of your own learning preferences, however try not
Knowing your learning style is not meant to limit
to place an excessive amount of stock into your results18
you, instead to expand you – by helping you to learn,
Benefits of Knowing Learning Styles19,20 understand, work and live more efficiently.
Everyone is a unique learner. Nobody else learns in Ethical Clearance taken from Institutional ethical
70 Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, July-September 2021, Vol. 15, No. 3
committee Barrable, Alexia: The learning styles educational
neuromyth: lack of agreement between teachers’
Funding Source: Self judgments, self-assessment, and students’
intelligence. Frontiers in Education. (2018). 3.
Conflict of Interest: NIL
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