Everyone has their unique learning method, and students are no exception. There are visual learners, auditory learners, and even kinesthetic learners. But which category do you fall under? And which teaching method is most effective? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at visual vs. written learning methods to decide which one you should apply to your studies.
The Importance of Different Learning and Teaching Styles
The sooner in your academic career that you discover your learning style, the better. School-age kids especially need to understand what teaching methods work best for them. This way, they can implement the right strategies and practices to maximize their learning experience. So, keep reading to learn the difference between visual and written teaching styles so you can determine which method best suits you.
Visual Learning vs. Written Learning Styles
What’s the difference between written and visual content? There is a bit of overlap between the two, but each has distinct characteristics.
Visual learning is all about seeing things to learn them, rather than hearing or experiencing them. Students who are visual learners will understand a concept better after seeing a picture.
Written learning, on the other hand, involves learning through written words. As a result, these types of learners respond better to writing, reading articles or books, looking up things on the internet, etc.
Visual Learning
The visual learning style is fairly self-explanatory. These kinds of students learn better when the material is presented in a visual way. Visual learners are often the list-makers, note-takers, and doodling students. They organize their thoughts and absorb concepts by writing them down. They’re very observant but might find their minds wandering during aural lectures.
Teaching Strategies for Visual Learners
So, how do teachers cater to these types of learners? Here are some great tips from the experts.
- Supplement aural lectures with slideshows and visuals.
- Use diagrams, charts, graphs, arrows, shapes, etc.
- Illustrate complex ideas with graphics.
- Write out important words and ideas on the board.
- Show tutorials and examples in video format.
- Use words like “label, illustrate, outline, show” in test questions.
- Organize information using color codes.
- Regularly make handouts and use presentations.
Pros and Cons of Visual Content
Pros:
- Visual learners typically have a great memory.
- Visual content can be interesting and fun.
- It’s easier to imagine solutions.
- Visuals help learners see the bigger picture.
Cons:
- Your mind usually tends to wander during lectures.
- It can be less organized because they rely solely on visuals.
- Equipment needed for videos/graphics can be costly.
- Visual learners may participate less in discussions.
Written Learning
Of all the learning styles, written learning is typically the easiest to cater to. This is mainly because the traditional educational system focuses largely on reading books, writing essays, doing research, etc.
Teaching Strategies for Written Learners
Here are some strategies that teachers and tutors can utilize to cater to students with written learning styles.
- Use written text to explain things.
- Communicate via email.
- Use texts that are dense with summaries, abstracts, and text.
- Provide handouts to read.
- Write important words on the board.
- Use words like “define, justify, analyze, develop” in test questions.
Pros and Cons of Written Content
Pros:
- These learners have higher retention of the material.
- Reading and writing learners are often more independent.
- They are also strong readers.
Cons:
- Writing can be time-consuming.
- These learners will struggle in situations with only visual or audio instruction.
- They may struggle with information that is not written out.
Discover Your Child’s Learning Style with UpReach Learning
Overall, it’s important to embrace all types of learning styles in school. Teachers and tutors can empower students by equipping them with the tools they need to succeed throughout their academic careers. In addition, pinpointing individual students’ best learning styles can drastically affect their ability to connect with topics and concepts.
However, teachers aren’t always able to cater to each student’s unique needs. Luckily, private tutors can teach your child best practices and strategies that they can implement in the classroom. Online tutoring programs at UpReach Learning will help your child understand which learning category they fall under and tailor their studies accordingly. We offer a variety of tutoring services for elementary students, middle school students, and high schoolers.
Contact us online today or call us at 1-866-488-0574 to learn more about our reliable online tutoring courses for all school ages.