Learning styles-Kinesthetic/Tactile Learners/, Auditory learners, Visual learners - Research Paper Example

The different styles in which people learn are called as ‘kinesthetic’, ‘auditory’, and ‘visual’ respectively (Blerkom, 2009, p.11). However, at the same time, it is important to know that people can have characteristics of two or more learning styles (Blerkom, 2009, p.11). Teaching students according to their personal learning styles not only makes the teaching effective but also saves a lot of time. Hence, it is extremely important to know the learning style of the learner so that his learning experience becomes more enjoyable and fruitful.

However, to teach people according to their learning styles, what is important is to know the characteristics of different learning styles in detail. When a person is asked a question, he has a tendency to move his eyes in certain direction while thinking. The movement of his eyes tells a lot about his learning style. People whose eyes generally move downwards when they are thinking about the answers are kinesthetic learners (Martin, 2001, p.213). People who learn best by doing practical demonstrations, involving physically in an activity and like ‘doing’ things are called as kinesthetic learners (Materna, 2007, p. 52). The kinesthetic learners who like using their hands while learning are called as tactile learners (Wooldridge, 1995, p.53). As ‘sensation’ or ‘touch’ is an important aspect in their learning style, they are called as tactile learners.

For kinesthetic learners to grasp the information or to learn something, understanding it through practical demonstrations is important. Hence, they like to learn things by creating the learning aids like flash cards, maps, charts or drawings (Materna, 2007, p. 52). While people having kinesthetic learning style need to use their whole body for retaining information, the tactile learners need to use their hands for processing information.