The 5 Adult Learning Styles: What Are They and How You Can Build Into Your Workshop

We all want our learners to benefit the most they can from our workshops. To do so, facilitators must strive to cater to their learners’ learning styles as closely as they can. However, everyone has different learning styles, which means that while some of your learners may learn best by watching videos, others learn best by reading text explanations. Therefore, to be most effective in our teaching, as facilitators, we need to understand our audience’s learning style.

Different learners have different strengths and weaknesses, so it is essential to do your research and consider your learners’ characteristics when teaching. Adult learners typically share similar traits that impact their learning: they are more self-directed, practical, and outcome-focused than junior students. They also tend to be more flexible thinkers than students who are used to following a set curriculum.

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Finally, adult learners often learn faster than formal education graduates but may still not know as much because they focus on learning rather than memorizing information.

What are Adult Learning Styles? How can I teach each of them effectively?

1. Visual/Spatial

Visual/spatial learners can vividly picture patterns and learn best with images and graphics that use fewer words. They can see the forest and the trees in their minds, making connections in visual/spatial relationships that others may miss.

To design training for this learner, consider using infographics, drawn guides, and text broken up with illustrations. Also, consider using PowerPoints, flipcharts, videos, and graphics to reach them better. 

2. Auditory

While only 30% of people are auditory learners, the majority of training already focuses on this adult learning style. This is because educational facilities are designed around these types of learners.

Auditory learners find lectures, podcasts, and traditional classroom-style learning more effective than other learning methods. These resources can be incorporated into training to improve auditory comprehension.

3. Kinesthetic

Kinesthetic learners process information by doing. They must put their hands on it to experience and remember it. This type of learner is not content with just learning about something; they want to be able to share it themselves.

On-the-job, experiential training is best for kinesthetic learners. When possible, pairing them with a mentor who can provide hands-on training is beneficial. Another option is video simulation training, which allows learners to work through simulations of crucial activities during training. 

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Klatch’s platform is inherently great for kinesthetic learners because we emphasize the importance of hands-on learning! It is also important to emphasize that it is okay to make mistakes for kinesthetic learners; they learn by hands-on trial and error, so mistakes are inevitable! It is much more effective to point out how to learn from their mistakes rather than reprimand them. 

4. Linguistic

Linguistic learners are often good listeners and can easily pick up on details in other languages. Additionally, they are typically able to communicate well.

Linguistic learners benefit from communication methods such as discussion boards, small group discussions, guided readings, and writing exercises. Closed captioning is a great way to help them with this type of learning – keep in mind that your learners may have different languages, so it is essential to be thoughtful and include subtitles in multiple languages!

5. Logical

Logical/mathematical learners often use a specific process to break down learning into smaller steps. This is similar to how the scientific method explores and understands the world around us. If you feel like your training isn’t following a logical sequence or flow, a logical/mathematical learner will let you know!

This learner is skilled in troubleshooting and analyzing problems, which helps them to resolve issues. Additionally, gamification using simulations can be a great way to engage and motivate them.

What are Some Tips for Teaching Adult Learning Styles?

Reassurance through Feedback

Adults need encouragement, just like children and teenager learners! Encourage your adult learners by letting them know how they are doing and providing feedback that will help them improve. Make sure you give feedback and work together to come up with a plan of action to improve their skills.

While adult learners may believe they prefer autonomy, it is a facilitator’s responsibility, it is to ensure that they receive adequate guidance and direction to develop their skills and knowledge, as well as recognize their areas of weakness.

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Motivation

While children go to school out of state mandate, adults seek education voluntarily to learn. As a facilitator, discover what motivates them: is it self-improvement? Pursuing a challenge? Finding their motivators is crucial to encouraging them to see the material as stimulating. Challenging them too much can reduce their motivation and interest in the course.

Being Understanding!

Most adults have multiple commitments, such as their social life, family, work, hobbies, etc. This makes it more challenging to find the time to learn new things, and courses must make room for busy schedules by holding day and evening sessions, sessions on the weekend, or online courses. However, if a course makes room for these things, people are more likely to attend and learn from it.

Clear Goals

Make sure you know what the adult’s goals are before enrolling them in your course and make sure that the objectives of the course are clear from the start. If they feel like their expectations have not been met, they may drop out once they no longer feel like your workshop aligns with their own goals.

Key Takeaway

To interest, this unique learner group in learning the material, try incorporating different teaching methods into your class.

Some students prefer listening while others learn better by doing. By mixing up the ways you teach, you can find a method that works best for each student in your class. 

Project positivity, encouragement, and patience are essential when working with adult learners. Always be aware of the positive contributions that these students make and celebrate their successes. When teaching adults new concepts, provide opportunities for critical reflection. This will help them to understand the information and retain it better.

To help adult learners in your literacy program learn more effectively, you might want to conduct a short learning style assessment at the beginning of the course. Based on this information, you can design coursework most likely to help these students succeed.

We all want to help our students succeed, so it is crucial to understand their learning styles. By teaching based on their type, we can help them learn in the most effective way possible.

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