By Arthur Evans 
All learners learn differently. Some may learn by visuals and others might learn by hands-on or verbal means. Understanding and working with various learning styles in education is crucial for educators who want to reach and teach all learners. In today’s diverse classrooms, using instructional strategies for multiple learners isn’t just best practice but it’s necessary for academic success.
Understanding Learning Styles in Education
The theory of learning styles implies that people have preferences for how they process information. There are several models, but one of the most popular is VARK, which identifies four main types of learners:
Visual Learners: Learn best through pictures, diagrams, charts, and a sense of space.
Auditory Learners: Learn through verbal instructions, lectures, and sound.
Reading/Writing Learners: Learn best through written text, lists, and note-taking.
Kinesthetic Learners – Learn best by doing; they learn through practical exercises and real-life experiences.
Although no student identifies with a single type perfectly, awareness of these preferences can guide instructional approaches for diverse learners and improve results.
Why Differentiated Instruction Matters
Differentiated instruction practices include rendering teaching sensitive to varying learning needs, interests and abilities. It is a method of respecting individual differences and having all students productively engaged and challenged at their level.
Benefits of Differentiated Instruction:
Increases student engagement and motivation
Promotes a more profound understanding of content
Reduces behavioral issues caused by boredom or frustration
Helps special needs or linguistically different students
Promotes inclusive education
Now, let’s discuss the best teaching strategies for each learning style and how to apply them in traditional and modern classrooms.
1. Teaching Strategies to Visual Learners
Visual learners learn best when information is presented in a pictorial or graphical format.
Characteristics:
Can remember faces, images and spatial relationships
I prefer charts, maps and diagrams.
Typically enjoy reading and writing, especially when accompanied by visual presentations.
Best Teaching Strategies:
Utilize mind maps, infographics and flowcharts to explain concepts
Insert videos, animations and color-coded notes.
Make use of slide presentations with images and minimal text.
Display timelines or posters in the classroom
Classroom Example: In teaching history, display a timeline of events visually and have students create a historical comic strip
2. Instructional Strategies for Auditory Learners
Auditory learners learn optimally through listening and speaking.
Characteristics:
Prefers discussions, lectures, and oral instructions
Often, remember what was discussed in class or discussion.
Instead, listen to audiobooks or podcasts rather than read written text.
Best Instructional Strategies:
Include group discussions, debates, and oral presentations
Use rhymes and mnemonics to remember.
Read instructions aloud and have oral summaries.
Allow students to record classes or utilize voice notes.
Classroom Example: When teaching the water cycle in science class, tell a story or have students express their knowledge by singing a song or rap.
3. Reading/Writing Learners Teaching Methods
These learners excel in written words, reading texts, and writing exercises.
Characteristics:
I prefer written assignments, essays, and reading texts.
Tend to take elaborate notes.
Excel in traditional academic settings
Best Teaching Methods:
Provide handouts, textbooks, and written instructions elaborately
Encourage journaling, essays, and reading comprehension exercises.
Provide independent learning through online reading software.
Use quizzes, word lists, and vocabulary games.
Classroom Example: For an English class, have students write character analysis essays or keep a reading journal to note their observations.
4. Instructional Strategies for Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners need physical movement and hands-on activity.
Characteristics:
Learn best by doing or experimenting
Tend to fidget or cannot sit still for long periods.
Enjoy building, acting, or role-playing.
Best Instructional Strategies:
Use lab experiments, field trips, and real-life simulations
Incorporate movement into lessons using dramatization or games.
Allow students to make models or use hands-on learning materials.
Break lessons into short segments with activity breaks.
Classroom Example: Have students in a geometry class use building blocks or actual objects to explore shapes and dimensions.
Combining Learning Styles: The Blended Approach
While learning style grouping can be helpful, an integrated approach with several strategies helps most students. This reinforces learning and includes more than one preference at a time.
Blended Teaching Strategies:
Use multimedia presentations with visuals, audio, and text
Pair written instructions with verbal explanations
Provide options in how students would like to do things (e.g., video, poster, essay)
Create stations or classroom rotations that cater to different styles.
Why it works:
It respects the individuality of learners and encourages students to discover their learning styles.
Differentiated Instruction in Action: Practical Tips
The following are practical implementations of differentiated instruction strategies in everyday teaching:
1. Know Your Students
Use surveys, informal assessments, or observations to learn about students’ preferences and strengths in learning styles.
2. Set Clear Objectives
Regardless of the method, learning goals must be clear and identical for all students.
3. Provide Choices
Providing choices in how students demonstrate what they know gives students power and enhances engagement.
4. Tiered Assignments
Develop assignments at varying levels of difficulty to challenge all learners appropriately.
5. Flexible Grouping
Switch between independent work, small groups, and peer tutoring based on the task and the needs of the students.
6. Incorporate Technology
Google Classroom, Quizlet and Khan Academy are resources that can be modified to meet different learning styles.
Challenges and Solutions in Differentiating Instruction
Differentiating instruction, albeit beneficial, comes with challenges, such as planning time and classroom management. Below are solutions to common challenges:
Challenge: Time Management
Solution: Start differentiating one lesson a week, then gradually increase.
Challenge: Limited Resources
Solution: Leverage free digital tools, student-created content, and peer collaboration to improve instruction.
Challenge: Classroom Management
Solution: Create and communicate clear activity rules and procedures and use student leaders to help manage stations or groups.
Conclusion
Knowing and catering to the various learning styles in education is essential to have an effective and comprehensive classroom. By utilizing teaching approaches for diverse learners, educators can ensure that every student is stimulated, encouraged, and supported along their learning journey.
The possibilities are endless once you commit to differentiated instruction, from graphic organizers and stories to lab experiments and personalized projects. By following these best practices in education, not only do we increase academic performance, but we also develop confident, lifelong learners.