Learning styles

How do you learn best?

Different people learn in different ways. The ‘find your style’ table below lists the four main learning styles. It’s good to know which learning style suits you best, so you can match the types of learning you choose to the learning style that you prefer.

To get an idea of which one seems most like you, think about how you learn new things – like programming the video, working out how to use your mobile phone or trying a new recipe. Now have a look at the table:

Find your style

If this describes you...	Then you like to learn by...
not interested in reading instructions or learning theory just want to get stuck in and get on with it	Doing
usually read instructions, interested in learning theory like to know how everything works before you try it out	Analysing
like to be shown how something works before you have a go	Watching
like to have someone go through things with you want them to give you plenty of practical hints and tips	Being coached

And it’s not just learning styles that vary from person to person. Your personality also influences the kind of learning you enjoy and do well at.

Try using the next table to see which of the common ways of learning you might prefer:

If you...	Then you'll probably do well with...
are happy to work by yourself are motivated and self-disciplined aren't easily distracted like to work things out for yourself like to work to your own timetable	distance learning, online learning
enjoy working in a group of people like talking things through use practical examples and illustrations like having a tutor set work for you prefer having a routine to follow	classroom based learning, volunteering (all points except having a tutor set work for you)

Learning styles and ways to learn: bringing them together

It’s common for people’s learning styles and preferred ways of learning to match up.