By Lara Masri, Education Specialist
In my last article, Curiosity: A Powerful Tool for Lifelong Learning, I emphasised the importance of empowering students to take charge of their learning journeys.
In today’s rapidly changing world, fostering lifelong learners is key to success.
As an educationalist I found it to be very important to understand my students to better guide their educational paths and make their classroom experiences more effective, purposeful, and—most importantly—fun.
As the saying goes: “Students learn best when they feel known, valued and respected.”
How Do We Learn?
Learning is shaped by the methods, behaviours, interactions and sensory inputs that help us process and understand information.
What is a learning Style?
Learning styles describe the ways individuals prefer to absorb, process and retain new information. According to the VARK model, there are four main styles:
- Visual (learning through images, diagrams and presentations)
2. Auditory (learning through listening and discussions)
3. Reading and Writing (learning through written words and note-taking)
4. Kinesthetic (learning through movement, hands-on activities and physical interaction)
Reflecting on your learning style
To better understand the VARK model, think back to your own school days: Did you prefer to focus on illustrations and presentations while taking notes? Were you a visual learner?
Did you enjoy participating in discussions and saying, “I hear you clearly”? Thus, you were an auditory learner.
Were you the type to move around in class, gesturing as you spoke and remembering actions more than words? Were you a Kinesthetic learner?
Accommodating learning styles
Teaching a conceptual science like my field of specialisaiton, Chemistry—where students must connect learned concepts within a coherent overall structure to apply them—has made my course challenging to teach and for students to grasp.
To ease my students’ understanding of these concepts, I began differentiating my activities to accommodate the various learning styles present in my classes. I incorporated multiple and diverse teaching techniques, and one, in particular, proved to be especially effective.
This technique introduces a topic, such as chemistry, by encouraging students to express their learning through a variety of activities they choose based on their individual preferences (learning style). It allows them to identify common attributes and learn in the way that suits them best
This is just one example of the many alternatives for enhancing learning. The results were very promising. Some students who previously struggled to understand certain topics became more engaged and showed greater interest in the subject after this approach was introduced.
Beyond the VARK Model
While the VARK model provides valuable insights, it’s important to acknowledge that most individuals utilise a combination of learning styles. Preferences can vary depending on the subject or context. For instance, someone might lean toward visual learning for maths, but prefer auditory methods for language studies.
Learning is shaped by factors beyond style, including motivation, engagement, cognitive abilities and emotional wellbeing. For this reason, effective teaching should introduce concepts through various forms—text, audio, video, pictures, hands-on activities, charts and diagrammes.
Diversity in teaching
Many educators and institutions now recognise that every child has a unique way of learning, just as teachers have their own preferred methods of teaching. This awareness has inspired the development of innovative tools and flexible pathways to better connect with students.
Employing diverse teaching techniques not only addresses different learning preferences, but also boosts overall learning outcomes. When students experience material in multiple ways, they are more likely to engage deeply and retain the knowledge.
The ultimate goal is to create classrooms where every learner feels seen, valued and supported. By understanding how our students learn, we can foster meaningful, lifelong learning experiences while also empowering them with agency to take ownership of their learning.
This fosters independence, confidence and motivation in their educational journey.
You can contact Lara Masri at [email protected]
