Are There Different Types of Learning?

You’ve probably heard someone say this before: “I’m just not a visual learner.” Maybe you’ve said it yourself! It’s true that students of all ages will often express a learning preference. But does that mean there are different types of learning—and, by extension, different types of learners?

The answer may be more complicated than you think! The idea of different types of learning rose to popularity in the 1970s, with many competing theories about how learning worked. One of the most popular theories was the VAK/VARK learning model, which includes the idea of visual learners, and which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

Unsurprisingly, many educators were drawn to the idea of different types of learning. The VARK model—and other theories—have played a significant role in classroom learning for decades. But this popular model has drawn criticism for years.

Let’s take a closer look at this theory and the idea of different types of learning.  

Do Students Learn In Different Ways? 

The VARK Model for Different Types of Learning

So what is the VARK model? Simply put, this model suggests that different learners will benefit from different types of learning. These can be broken into four categories: 

• Visual learning.
  You’re drawn to visual stimuli when learning, like diagrams, maps, charts, or pictures.
  
• Learning through reading/writing.
  You learn effectively when absorbing materials through reading or writing.

• Auditory learning.
  Also known as aural learning, it’s when you learn best through speaking or listening—aided by lectures, music, or rhyme.

• Kinesthetic learning.
  This kind of tactile learning process means you benefit from hands-on learning, and through full-body movement.

While this theory has endured since the 80s, when it was first proposed, it has many critics. Most notably, researchers have come up short when trying to find significant evidence to support it.

With that in mind, let’s explore another option: the cognitive skills approach.

How Cognitive Skills Play A Role In Learning

Another way to think about how people learn is by considering cognitive skills. These are the core skills our brains use to process, retain, and apply ideas, and are foundational to the learning process:

• Logic and reasoning. Helps to sort through information in order to make an assessment or solve a problem.
• Focus. The ability to pay attention for a sustained period of time.
• Processing speed. The ability to think and understand quickly
• Working memory. Allows the mind to organize and retrieve information as we learn (or perform other tasks).
• Auditory processing. The skill for hearing, identifying, and comprehending sounds.
• Visual processing. The ability to interpret visual data and to form mental pictures. 

Cognitive skills aren’t static abilities, but skills that can change and grow over time. Everyone has areas where they struggle and where they excel. By improving these underlying learning skills, students can often become more receptive to different types of learning.

Let’s review how brain training can accomplish that!

Different Types of Learning For Every Student

While the VARK theory of learning styles may be contested, it does seem that students are often drawn to one learning style over another. After all, it’s not surprising that those with weaker visual processing skills might not benefit as much from visual learning. 

So when students hone their cognitive skills, then, they can often tap into new forms of learning! It’s where brain training can really help. At LearningRx, we assess an individual student’s cognitive skills, mapping out those that are strongest as well as those that could be improved upon. From there, we build out a unique brain training program for each learner.

For students who are struggling with a particular type of learning, or those who wish to improve their skills, it’s a great opportunity to work on improving cognitive skills and build a strong foundation for learning!   

If you have questions about different types of learning and how they relate to brain training, get in touch! Contact us today at 866-BRAIN-01 or find your local LearningRx online.