What’s Your Flavor? How to Use Learning Styles to Create a Deliciously Diverse Team!
Learning Styles enable us to learn using the method most effective for us. Everyone does not learn the same way. It’s important to know your Learning Style. Why? Well, if you’ve felt lost when introduced to new information you were expected to learn, this was a clue. If you don’t know what works for you the task will be challenging, and possibly marginally successful.
There are three basic Learning Styles most people are familiar with. Those are Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. In the educational environment, there is another which uses the acronym VARK, Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing and Kinesthetic.
Each style has its own traits which align with the techniques most effective for that individual to have a positive learning experience.
Visual- Visual Learners can create a feast for your eyes! They specialize in creating impressive graphs, PowerPoint presentations, pictures, videos, illustrations, and articles. They’re skilled at connecting the various elements they’re working with to create a cohesive outcome. They may use color to highlight points of interest or make the information more visually appealing.
Auditory- Auditory Learners engage in podcasts, oral presentations, group discussions and videos. They enthusiastically participate in one-on-one conversations. If there’s a need for a speaker, this is the person! They’re skilled at creatively engaging our ears (sounds- their voice, music, etc.) to get and maintain our attention.
Kinesthetic- Kinesthetic Learners are hands-on physical learners. They learn by doing, actively engaging in the learning process. Their traits include walking, meetings, role-play, and notetaking. Kinesthetic learners are often the ones who are quick to participate in activities like role-plays. They prefer to participate, rather than sit, watch, and provide feedback. They enjoy the movement so keep them moving!
The VARK Learning Style is mine. From childhood into early adulthood I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t remember verbal instructions! I annoyed people writing them down. They didn’t want to wait, and I wrote fast! I was not in a good place!
I didn’t learn my style until I was a working adult, teaching! While teaching, my score was extremely low on an IQ test! I felt like a real dummy and doubted I could have a positive impact on my students! Once I learned my style was different from my brother’s, I felt better. He’s still very smart, and I’m no dummy! As a VARK learner, I take copious notes which helps with recall, I enjoy online research, and possess traits of both Visual and Kinesthetic Learners. My writing skill is my ability to synthesize information to complete writing assignments.
When the work is done and it’s time to have fun, each Learning Style enjoys its own ‘flavor’ of play or interests. As you read the traits below, is there an activity you’ve considered and would like to pursue? If you know the Learning Styles of your team, you know who may share your enthusiasm. If you’re receptive to new experiences, perhaps the learner of that style may be helpful.
Visual- Travel and reading maps, sign-language, fashion, art, crossword puzzles and game boards.
Auditory- Acting, foreign languages, singing, music, being on stage and movie sound effects.
Kinesthetic- Dancing, sports, martial arts, building models, museums, and adventure movies/books.
Now that you have an introduction to the different Learning Styles, how will you use this information?
Use the diverse styles to create a team that is cohesive and utilizes the skills of everyone. Doing so will help your team connect on a personal level. Having this knowledge of each team member opens the doors to multiple ways to work as a team, exploring ways to express team creativity. It also supports the efforts of every member to bring their ‘best self’ to the table. When people openly share their talents, and we support, appreciate, and acknowledge them as contributors, everyone WINS!
And isn’t that what we want?
