A learning style is a preferred way of acquiring and processing information by an individual. It is a way in which a person approaches learning, comprehends new information, and retains it. There are several different learning style models, but most of them categorize learning styles into three main types: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.
Visual learners prefer to learn by seeing information in visual formats such as diagrams, charts, and graphs. They process information best when it is presented visually.
Auditory learners prefer to learn by hearing information. They retain information best when it is presented through spoken words or sounds, and they may benefit from recording lectures or listening to audiobooks.
Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn through hands-on experience, by doing or interacting with the material. They may benefit from practical activities, simulations, or experiments that allow them to apply what they have learned.
It's important to note that people can have a mix of learning styles, and their preferred style may vary depending on the situation and the type of material they are learning. By identifying and catering to different learning styles in the design of educational materials, teachers and instructional designers can make learning more effective and engaging for their audience.
The Importance of Considering Learning Styles for Course Development
Considering learning styles for course development is essential because people learn in different ways, and the same approach to teaching and learning does not work for everyone. By designing a course that caters to different learning styles, you can engage learners more effectively and improve their learning outcomes.
Here are some reasons why considering learning styles for course development is important:
Improved Learning Outcomes
When instructional designers consider learning styles, they create courses that cater to the needs of different learners, increasing the effectiveness of the course and improving learning outcomes.
Increased Engagement
When learners are engaged with the material, they are more likely to retain information and apply it in the real world. Catering to different learning styles can help create a more engaging learning experience, leading to better retention and application of knowledge.
Reduced Frustration
Learners who struggle to learn through a particular teaching method can become frustrated and disengaged. By catering to different learning styles, instructional designers can reduce frustration and improve the learning experience for all learners.
Better Accessibility
Designing courses that cater to different learning styles can help make education more accessible to a wider range of learners, including those with learning disabilities or language barriers.
Eight Tips to Design eLearning Courses for Different Learning Styles
Designing eLearning courses that cater to different learning styles can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the course. Here are eight tips to help you create an eLearning course that accommodates different learning styles:
Identify the learning styles of your audience: Before designing your eLearning course, you need to identify the learning styles of your target audience. You can use surveys or assessments to help determine the dominant learning styles of your audience.
Use a variety of content formats: People learn in different ways, so use a variety of content formats to appeal to different learning styles. Use videos, images, interactive activities, quizzes, and written content.
Use multimedia content: Incorporate multimedia content such as videos, animations, and infographics to cater to visual learners.
Provide hands-on activities: Interactive activities such as simulations and hands-on activities cater to kinesthetic learners.
Use real-life examples: Real-life examples help contextualize the learning material and cater to learners who prefer to learn through practical application.
Offer different levels of complexity: Offering different levels of complexity helps learners progress through the course at their own pace and caters to learners who prefer either a high level of detail or a simplified overview.
Use storytelling: Storytelling can help engage learners and cater to auditory learners.
Provide flexibility: Offer learners flexibility in how they learn, allowing them to choose the pace, format, and level of detail that works best for them.
By incorporating these tips into your eLearning course design, you can help ensure that your course caters to a wide range of learning styles, making it more effective and engaging for your audience.
About LMS Portals
At LMS Portals, we provide our clients and partners with a SaaS-based, multi-tenant learning management system that allows you to launch a dedicated training environment (a portal) for each of your unique audiences.
The system includes built-in, SCORM-compliant course authoring software that enables most anyone to build engaging courses quickly and easily.
We also offer a complete library of ready-made courses, covering most every aspect of corporate training and employee development.
If you choose to, you can create Learning Paths to deliver courses in a logical progression and add structure to your training program. The system also supports Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) and provides tools for social learning.
Together, these features make the LMS Portals platform the ideal solution for supporting all types of learning styles in your corporate eLearning program.
Contact us today to get started or visit our Partner Program pages