Do you know your learning style and how you best understand new material? If you don’t already know your learning style that’s okay, we have a guide on how you can figure that out on your own, or you can ask a tutor to help at any time. That being said, once you understand you're learning style, you can utilize some of these tips to better understand how you learn.
Learning Styles
It’s always good to understand your learning style, and how it can change over time. The most common learning styles are auditory (hearing), reading/writing (visual), and kinesthetic (hands-on), among other variations. In a lot of remote learning sessions, the kinesthetic aspect is not utilized as frequently as it is in in-classroom or tutoring session learning so it is still important to build muscle memory even if it is not you or your student’s primary learning style.
Different topics can also be easier to learn with different learning styles. For example, learning how to play a new instrument may require kinesthetic skills, but memorizing the lyrics to a song can utilize reading and an auditory approach. Notice what you focus on most when learning something new to figure out your learning style and try to utilize that the next time you are learning new material, the results will bring a smile to your face.
1. Improve Your Memory
Once you know your learning style, you'll know how to improve your mindfulness when you are studying. Boosting your memory skills can be really helpful when it comes to learning new material. Utilize study cards, mnemonics, rehearsals, and the other classic memorization tools to build your memory.
2. Boost Your Learning Capacity
Once you build up your memory skills, you have room to learn new things. Whether you’re in school, picking up a new hobby, learning a new language for fun, etc there’s always a chance to learn something new. Vary your learning routine, study your notes regularly, and keep learning social to boost your learning capacity.
3. Try Teaching Someone Else
Now that you’ve memorized some new material, really learn to understand it better by explaining it to someone else. When your mom asked you what you learned in school each day, that was what she hoped for. Ask your students to explain new concepts to you. You can help them define these areas in their knowledge based upon what they know or you can figure out the gaps in your own education when you are explaining a concept to someone new.
4. Build Upon Your Existing Knowledge
Once you can explain a new concept to someone else, learn what comes next. When you ask a student to explain a new concept to you and they pick it up with ease, start the next lesson. Don’t forget to work on memorization from the beginning, but you can keep building up from there. When you identify the gaps in your education, you know where you need to build your knowledge next.
5. Learn Problem Solving Skills
When you are learning something new, expect obstacles and learn how to adapt so you can solve the problems you may face along the way. This sounds way easier said than done, but it will help you in any area of your life. Never stop learning new problem solving skills. Identify scenarios whether real or hypothetical, and figure out the steps to reach the goals and solve the problems and you’ll be able to solve any problems that come your way.
Now you have the tools in hand to better understand how to approach your next session at learning something new. Don’t be afraid to let us know how it went, and how our team can help.
What’s your learning style?
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