Learning Styles of Adults
Visual, Verbal and Kinesthetic Learners in Distance Education
Sep 19, 2009
Distance education programs and online schools have demonstrated a clear understanding of how adults learn. In fact, most schools have incorporated the fundamental principals of adult learning into the design and creation of their online courses to ensure that their classes will appeal to all adult learning styles.
There are three basic learning styles including visual, verbal and kinesthetic that can influence how an adult understands, retains and recalls new information.
Visual Learners
Visual learners can quickly understand and retain information that they see. They learn best when the course material, webinar lecture or virtual classroom environment includes a flow chart, diagram, picture, PowerPoint presentation, demonstration, concept map, graph or video.
Characteristics of Visual Learners
- Have the tendency to doodle during a course lecture and while taking note.
- Prefer to color code class material and course notes in order to highlight and organize important information.
- Can quickly remember faces, people, places and directions.
Verbal Learners
Verbal learners are also referred to as auditory learners and prefer a course that is presented in the form of a lecture or class discussion. Verbal learners have the tendency to read out loud, repeat information and ask a variety of questions for clarification. They learn best through online forums, verbal instructions, webinar lecture and email.
Characteristics of Verbal Learners
- Prefer to work in groups in order to share ideas and discuss course concepts.
- Enjoy listening to lectures, asking questions and finding relevant examples to process course material.
- Can quickly and easily remember names and song lyrics.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn through experience and hands-on activity. They are tactile individuals who prefer to have something in their hands when learning new material or sitting for a long period of time. Kinesthetic learners enjoy variety in the learning process and learn best when an online course is facilitated using a variety of methods including short webinar lectures, group discussion, videos and assignments.
Characteristics of Kinesthetic Learners
- Have the tendency to fidget during a course lecture by clicking a pen, tapping their feet or doodling on paper.
- Prefers to study and learn new material in short blocks of time and will often take short breaks during a course discussion or lecture.
- Can quickly assemble items without using a diagram or written instructions.
Distance education is becoming an increasingly popular option for adults who want to continue their education. The online learning process appeals to the adult population because it offers flexibility not only from a scheduling perspective but from a learning perspective as well.
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