Learner Styles

Learner Styles

1. Kolb's Learning Styles Inventory

   • Divergers
     • sensitive and imaginative
   • Assimilators
     • ideas and abstract concepts
   • Convergers
     • solve problems and prefer technical tasks
   • Accommodators
     • people orientated who have a practical or experiential approach

2. Fleming's VARK model

   • Visual (spatial)
     • learners will often doodle and find it easier to understand something in a diagram. By using images (e.g. an analogy) learners can utilise their visual memory
   • Aural (auditory-musical)
     • learners dislike reading and prefer to be told something out loud to understand it. Group discussions are ideal for the aural learner
   • Verbal (linguistic)
     • learners love to write and read and find it easier to express themselves by writing or speaking. Mnemonics, scripting and role playing are useful for this style of learning
   • Physical (kinesthetics)
     • learning involves a hands on approach using physical activity or watching a demonstration
   • Logical (mathematical)
     • learners like using their brain for logical and mathematical reasoning and recognising patterns. Logical learners often lean towards classifying and grouping information to help them further understand it
   • Social (interpersonal)
     • learners are sociable and prefer communicating with people, both verbally and non-verbally
   • Solitary (intrapersonal)
     • learners prefer working alone and are more private, independent and introspective. They prefer not to have the distraction of others.

3. References: Teaching and learning styles and why they matter. (2021). Journal of Community Nursing, 35(4), 10–16