How can I learn new information quicker?

Visual, audio and kinesthetic are ways to determine varying types of learners.

Depending on whether you are a visual, audio or kinesthetic learner you will require different learning techniques and conditions to those of your peers. Many of us will have a personal preference for a particular learning modality, although we can also possibly be a combination of all three.

Therefore, once we have determined what type of learner you are we can then establish the quickest and easiest way for you to process new information.

An excellent way to determine which type of learner you are is to think of these below scenarios and how you would act in each:

Scenario 1. When you purchase a new car, do you…

(a) want to know all of the details, facts and specifics of the car;

(b) want to see the car inside and out; or

(c) want to sit inside the car to see how it feels.

Scenario 2. When you are giving street directions to someone, do you say…

(a) “go 3kms down the street, then turn left, go 500m then you will come to a roundabout, continue along for 4kms then turn right on to ____ Road”;

(b) “go down the street and turn left when you see the police station, then continue along until you see the roundabout, go straight over that and turn right just after you see the chemist shop”; or

(c) “I am going that way right now, why don’t you follow me?”.

If you answered (a) you are an audio learner, if you answered (b) you are a visual learner, and if you answered (c) you are a kinesthetic learner.

Please refer to your learning modality below for specific learning strategies and techniques.

Audio Learners

• Very good at remembering what they hear.
• Can find it hard to remember things that they have read.
• May find it difficult to read facial and body language.

Audio learners generally like maths and science (left brain) and process new information by what they hear and what they think. They are data orientated, completely reliant on facts and figures to make their own decisions, like to get straight to the point during conversations and are able to concentrate on tedious work for several hours.

Audios learners use hearing and thinking terms such as, “yes, I hear what you are saying”, “sounds good to me” and “I hear you loud and clear”. They are people of few words who can find it difficult to read facial and body language. They will prefer to know the facts in order to make their own determination of the outcome.

Audio learners can make very loving, devoted partners however they rarely show their emotions to anyone and do not like to be touched without their approval first. When an Audio learner makes a direct statement, it is valid until they tell you differently i.e. if an (audio) man tells his partner he is in love with her, it is true until he tells her otherwise.

Strategies for Audio Learners

• Read aloud.
• Before reading, skim the information to first determine to yourself what you think the reading will be about.
• Recite aloud what you are trying to learn so that you can hear yourself.
• Record meetings or yourself reading your notes (just the important points).
• Create cards with key points on them and read them aloud.
• Study with a partner so you can talk about main concepts and key points.

Strategies to teach Audio Learners

• Provide clear audio information.
• Make the audio part of lectures and meetings as captivating as possible.

Visual Learners

• Remember written directions well.
• Need to see material to learn it.
• May have difficulties focusing on lectures if there are few visuals.

Audio learners generally like philosophy, art and religion (right brain) and process new information by what they see. In order for audio learners to understand concepts, they must know every minute detail in order to visualise the image in their minds first.

Visual learners use seeing terms such as, “I see what you mean”, “looks good to me” and “I can imagine exactly that”. If they are listening to music, they can actually visualise images of the music in their minds. Visuals can have difficulties focusing on a particular subject if there are few visuals, however they can remember written directions well.

Visuals need to see it to believe it i.e., a (visual) woman will need to see that her partner loves her by his actions on a constant basis.

Strategies for Visual Learners

• Use colour coding.
• Work in a relatively quiet location.
• Use visual aids when taking notes (e.g. diagrams).
• Watch video graphics or slide show presentations (where possible).
• Look at a person to help you focus on what they are saying.
• Visualise facts and word spellings when trying to memorize.
• Take clear and detailed notes during meetings.
• Review and write out key points.
• Skim a reading prior to starting so that you have a good general understanding before you begin.

Strategies to teach Visual Learners

• Provide clear outlines with headings.
• Present information in a visual format (where possible).

Kinesthetic Learners

• Need hands-on/active learning (touch and movement).
• Don’t require instructions to assemble something.
• Can have difficulties if they have to remain seated for a long period of time.

Kinesthetic learners generally like athletics and drama and process new information by how something makes them feel. They love to be right in the centre of things and need hands-on activities involving touch and movement.

Visual learners use feeling terms such as, “I feel what you are saying”, “feels great to me” and “I feel (emotion)”. Kinesthetic learners like small intimate groups, quickly pick up on other peoples feelings and listen to emotional music that evokes some sort of emotion and ‘moves’ them.

Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners

• Read aloud.
• Use colour coding.
• Try moving while you read.
• Take advantage of projects that allow you to do hands-on work.
• Use cards that you can move on a table or other surface.
• Take notes for meetings using diagrams (where possible).
• Write information out clearly (on paper, board, etc.) whilst studying.
• Listen to information on a CD whilst you move or drive your car (or recite to yourself).
• Take frequent breaks when working and move/stretch.
• Try studying in a position other than a chair in front of a desk.
• Find a way in which fidgeting allows you to focus on learning.

Strategies to teach Kinesthetic Learners

• Use demonstrations (where possible).
• Provide opportunities for hands-on/active learning.