Are there different types of learners?

[Bingtata]

Just a diversion from actually studying ponder of mine. I'm doing an English Literature degree with the OU at moment and enjoying it and doing well.

However, I really really struggle with audio-visual material i.e an audio discussion just goes in one ear and out the other. If I have to watch something, I drift off into another realm, I just can't hold my concentration at all.

If I have a transcript to read from at the same time, that is fine or if I am listening to and reading, for example, a play at the same time. I'm similar with lectures - I would much rather just read about a subject.

I've heard people being described as visual learning or similar, what would I be? How can I overcome it?

hmm I'm not sure you can overcome it as such, just be aware of the ways you learn best. I'm not good with audio stuff either (I'm doing an OU maths degree) or just reading through something.

the videos are, though cringeworthy, pretty good. but with maths I find the only way I really learn is by doing - just plugging through loads of questions until the process gets ingrained.

my DD is a kinaesthetic learner (although I think that's more common in children anyway) e.g. she was struggling to learn colours for weeks but as soon as she had a button board (toy with coloured pegs to match up) she learned them in an hour.

Thanks MathsMadMummy. I'm just trying to sit through a 3 hour DVD and I'm dying here!

I went to college a couple of years ago and they went through the different types of learners with us, advising us to consider what type we were and plan our studying accordingly.

IIRC, the types were :

Visual - likely to remember pictures, graphs etc

Audio - likely to remember what they are told verbally

Practical - likely to remember the hands-on stuff best

There was a test I think, where you answer questions and tot up which type you are.

You are right WhereYouLeftIt, I just did a quick google of your categories and apparently I am a read/write learner (the only one you left off your list). Apparently it is called VARK theory and it describes my style of learning as 'it is all in the book, so no need for anything else. Writes lots of notes. Likes exams'. Thats me

I think it's normal to have stronger/weaker ability to cope in different areas. I'm a good audio learner, crap at visual. So I try to make sure I have 'anchors' when I do visual work - I'll describe to myself in my head what I'm seeing, or draw it out again. Then when I try to remember it, I tend to remember through the audio route (ie., the stream-of-consciousness I was saying in my head when I watched it.

My mum taught me to do this and it works!

Another thing that works for some people is doodling so you don't stop concentrating, but it can also have the opposite effect, so find what works for you.

I think I'm the same as you, I learn primarily through writing things down. Traditional lessons where a teacher/lecturer writes on the board and I take notes, work best for me. I can learn through reading but it doesn't really sink in until I re-write it, revision for me was always condensing notes further and further until I end up with flash cards.

I can't concentrate with audio-visual stuff either, which is a bit of a mare with the ou.