# Welcome to SMIRK Unit 1
Learning styles

- What are learning styles?
- The different types of learning styles
- Finding your learning style
- Why does it matter?
- Back to main index

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/Unit_1_vers3/start.html.

# What are learning styles?

Now we are going to look at different learning styles, how to identify your own and understand why it is important to you and your studies. This section is designed to make you think about how you learn - remember this may vary depending on what you are learning and when you are learning it. It is not intended as a definitive guide.

Can't see the video? You can view it on YouTube.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/Unit_1_vers3/start.html. Arrow icons by Tango Project on Open Clipart

# The different types of learning styles

There are various definitions of learning, but it is generally thought to be a change in an individual's behaviour due to an experience. NWLink provide an interesting discussion of learning styles. The way in which people learn varies. It is important that individuals can identify their own learning style to allow them to adapt the way they study.

Types of learning style | Description
--- | ---
Visual | You prefer to use images and pictures to convey information. More information
Aural | You prefer to listen and benefit more from hearing lectures, seminars and the spoken word. More information
Read and write | You would rather use words and lists and benefit from reading books and lecture notes. More information
Kinesthetic | If you learn by doing, this is probably the style for you. More information
Multi modal | Multi modal learners use a combination of some or all of the above styles. More information

Some authors use different categories of learning style, for example Kolb

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/Unit_1_vers3/start.html. Arrow icons by Tango Project on Open Clipart

# Finding your learning style

Do you think you learn best from seeing, reading and writing, hearing, doing or in a mixture of ways? (Look at the learning styles page if you need a reminder). Now make a note now of what you think your learning style is. In a moment you will be asked to complete a learning styles questionnaire and you will be able to compare your actual result to your expected result.

There are various learning style questionnaires. Vark is a quick and relatively straightforward example. Use this link to open the questionnaire in a new window. When you have finished make a note of your results and close the Vark window to return here.

How does this compare to the style you expected? If it is not the same, can you think of any reasons why this may be?

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/Unit_1_vers3/start.html. Arrow icons by Tango Project on Open Clipart

# Why does it matter?

It is really important that you understand the way your learn. Knowing the way you learn allows you to adapt the way you study, for example a visual learner can help themselves by colour coding text, using flash cards and drawing pictures. You can also improve any learning styles with which you are less comfortable. Here are some examples of how to strengthen your visual, aural and kinesthetic styles.

Can't see the video? You can view it on YouTube.

Once you know your learning style and have strengthened areas where you are less confident, you will find that studying and learning become easier.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/Unit_1_vers3/start.html. Arrow icons by Tango Project on Open Clipart