Types of learners will vary depending on who they are as a person and the things they deem important and useful. Because of this, there are several different categories people fall into. On top of that, some can be a mix of more than one. It’s important to figure out how you learn best so you can set yourself up for success.
Key Takeaways
- There are 7 main types of learners with different characteristics and needs. Keeping them engaged during learning will vary depending on their style.
- Finding your learning type is mostly based on your values, your personality, and what you find fun.
- Because some people can be a mix of more than one learning type, this means they can also fit well in more than one line of work.
What is a learning style?
Let’s start with the basics. Every person has a specific way they prefer to learn and take information in. This is generally related to their personality type and what they value and find fun.
For example, someone who values community and has an outgoing personality will probably not enjoy learning alone by reading a textbook. You’re likely to get more out of them if you have them do group projects or by having them answer questions in a classroom setting.
It’s also useful to keep in mind that some people might end up being a mix of more than one. That means that the options that work for them are greater than someone who just prefers one learning style.
Is there more than one learning style?
Absolutely! There are 7 defined styles that most researchers agree on, but that doesn’t take into account any hybrid types that could apply. There are as many types of learners as there are people out there. And, in the same way each personality type has defined characteristics, so does each style of learning.
What are the 7 types of learners?
Learning types are split into 7 main categories based on how they want to receive the information. Here’s a quick overview of each one, their characteristics, and how to best keep this type of learner engaged.
Auditory learners
This type of learner’s favorite time is lecture time. They love engaging in verbal conversations about what’s being taught and will often ask lots of questions. But, you’ll rarely see them taking notes. They also tend to repeat what you’ve just said to them out loud since that helps them with retention.
A great way to help them learn is by having them explain something to you that you just taught them. This will encourage them to properly internalize the lesson presented. To keep them engaged make sure you’re asking them pointed questions. Call them out by name and have them participate. They’ll also thrive in group discussions and video lessons.
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Musician
- Sound engineer
- Therapist
- Guidance counselor
- Lawyer
Visual learners
Visual learners will always prefer lessons that involve a lot of charts, pictures, graphs, and little written words. This is because it allows them to see the big picture of all the details at once, and it gives them a clear view of the hierarchy of the information.
It tends to be people who doodle a lot, or that enjoy taking notes or making lists. And, the best way to keep them engaged is to, unsurprisingly, provide them with lots of visual-based lessons. Use things like blackboard and power points with few words. It’s also useful to encourage them to take their own notes during the lesson.
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Graphic design
- Animator
- Architect
- Data scientist
- Interior decorator
- UX designer
Logical learners
These are the types of learners that thrive when presented with logical and repetitive patterns. They love statistics, numbers, equations, and simple dialed-down topics. They’ll respond well to patterns as well as numbers and the process of classifying things.
Keep them engaged by adding lots of repetitive systems to the teachings where they can learn to expect the same thing every time. It’s important to make sure you’re explaining the concepts in as simple and logical ideas as possible. Once logical learners get the gist of the information they’ll never forget it.
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Scientist
- Engineering
- Bookkeeper
- Statistician
- Systems analyst
Word-based learners
For this learning type, we’ve included both who enjoy verbal and written communications. Textbooks, stories, articles, and Google are some of the things they love the most. They also tend to be very curious and is normal to find them going down a Google rabbit hole when something piques their interest.
These are the type of learners that love written essays, learning via a good story, and doing their own research on the topic. You can stick to more traditional teaching with them.
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Copywriter
- Journalist
- Radio host
- TV announcer
- Librarian
- Politician
Hands-On learners
Also known as tactical, physical, or kinesthetic learners these are the types of people who prefer to touch things to understand them. They’re quite easy to identify because they’ll have a harder time sitting still and focusing for long stretches of time. They’ll also rarely be seen taking notes or sitting down to read the textbook.
The good news is that you can very much help engage them in the lesson with some easy tricks. Introduce as many games or interactive options as possible. A scavenger hunt, role-playing, or using props (like the product they’ll be selling).
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Construction
- Welder
- Car mechanic
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Police officer
Social learners
The life of the party in any situation. You’ll likely find them taking up the role of leader in group settings, and they love when there are people around they can interact with. They’re sensitive and tend to be great at communicating.
However, social learners are also the kind of people who love being in a group to listen in but might not want to participate. You can keep them engaged by providing the chance of doing group projects or situations where they need to present something they learned.
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Sales
- Teacher
- Fitness trainers
- Community outreach
- PR manager
- Nursing
Solitary learners
The lone wolf of learning styles, solitary learners are more comfortable in a quiet and calm space when it comes to learning. They don’t want to be distracted by other people being around them, nor do they need a lot of interaction from the instructor. However, they tend to be a mix with other learning styles like auditory, visual, or verbal so that’s important to keep in mind when figuring out how to teach them.
Curious about what jobs best suit these types of learners?
- Web designer
- Data entry
- Technical writer
- Software developer
- Research scientist
Want to start achieving your goals today? Take our free course on Building Your Personal Annual Plan!
Related Readings
Getting People Right (GPR) is an educational website providing professionals from all types of businesses with practical education in entrepreneurial leadership. To keep evolving your leadership toolkit, additional GPR resources below will be useful:
- Learning Curve: Definition, Theory (Graphs), And Examples
- Become More Knowledgeable: Tips For Improving Your Learning Skills
- Learning Deteriorates 20% Per Year
