Jessica joined RWA in 2018, having graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Film Studies. Her role as a content designer involves developing new and engaging e-learning modules as well as assisting in the creation of articles for Insight.
Understanding your Learning Style

We all learn differently. Everyone has their own method of gathering and interpreting information in a way that works best for them. Every day, we make a conscious decision of what information we are going to take in as part of our daily routine – but how do we retain this information? How is it that learning something one way helps us remember more about a subject compared to taking in the same information in a different way?
Understanding how we learn can help us to develop a strategy that works best for us, helping us to learn more efficiently and avoid any unnecessary frustrations, as well as boosting our confidence in an academic setting.
There are four key learning styles to consider:
- Visual – for visual learners, a picture really can tell a thousand words. Infographics, diagrams, images, and videos all help to set out a visual learning map.
- Auditory – this is sometimes referred to as “aural” or “sound” learning, where information is presented vocally. Learners who prefer this style retain information better through lectures, group discussions, podcasts, and audiobooks. Even discussing the subject and reciting it out loud can have its merits.
- Kinaesthetic – some learners work best through tactile activities i.e., ‘learning by doing’. For example, it is one thing to read instructions on how to ride a bike, but a deeper understanding comes from actually riding the bike itself.
- Reading and Writing – arguably the most common style of learning, this style involves studying text-heavy resources, taking notes, and reading definitions of key terms to gain a broader understanding of a subject.
This is not to say that everyone will fit neatly into one method over another. Learning styles can often overlap or change over time depending on the needs of the individual. For instance, someone might have favoured learning through visuals in primary school but may prefer a more hands-on approach in later years. It’s possible that a combination of two or more styles can help us to reach our full potential.
Teamwork
You are likely to recognise preferred learning styles within your own team. A rich variety of personalities and learning styles can combine to make a formidable team that is able to find the best solutions for your clients. Learning is not a one-size-fits-all exercise, so it makes sense that a team will find their own methods that suit them best.
But how can a variety of different learning styles be accommodated?
E-learning can be designed to suit the needs of multiple individuals. Crucially, learners can approach this type of learning at their own pace.
Another benefit of e-learning is that it can be tailored to suit every learning style – online learning is adaptable, can be accessed on the go or in the office, and it can incorporate multiple media types. Videos, audio, diagrams, text and interactive scenarios can all be included to create a rich experience that has something to suit everyone.
To see what e-learning can do for your firm, visit https://www.mydevelopment.zone for a free 14-day trial of the Development Zone.