How your learning style may influence your career choice and training needs

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were isolated at home, learning was facilitated via online platforms. But how different is online training from in-person training? Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, and skills, so surely there should not be much of a difference.

Online learning is computer-based and requires using a digital platform. This creates a high consumption of metabolic energy at a neurological level as the learner rapidly switches between tasks and has to digitally multitask. This way of learning may be more attention-grabbing as it is new and stimulating, therefore producing dopamine which aids attention and memory. However, online learning may also be more distracting and not involve the concentration that in-person learning does.

Both methods of learning have their pros and cons. Online learning has the advantage of being more flexible and can occur from anywhere at any time. It is more visual and the learner can repeatedly review the learning material. The downside is that not everyone may have access to a computer or a stable internet connection. Also, there is limited engagement with the facilitator compared to in-person training where more conversation and networking occur.

Both methods are effective, but your learning style can influence which method is more effective for you. The VARK model of learning (Bay Atlantic University) describes four main types of learning: visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinaesthetic. While you may use a combination of all of them, you will have a predominant method of learning.

A visual learner absorbs information via graphs and diagrams and responds well to learning material that has visual aids that include shapes and patterns. Auditory learners learn through heard or spoken words, such as discussions, live talks, recordings, or songs. They will decipher and analyse the speech, sorting their ideas after the fact. The reading/writing learner does well with reading written material and then writing down notes and summaries, while the kinaesthetic learner learns by doing, and needs hands-on experience.

Choosing an effective training method that supports your learning style can help you relate to the world around you and therefore grasp, retain and use knowledge. Your learning style may influence your chosen career. Kinaesthetic learners perform well in careers that are hands-on, high energy and physically demanding. Auditory learners excel in careers that require textual and interpersonal experiences such as counselling, law, or teaching. Visual learners excel in careers that are highly detailed and require assessment, planning and design such as architecture or mechanics.

A study done by Harfield et al on the profile of construction students showed that most students who studied construction preferred activity-based learning, structured course content and graphically represented assignments with little text, all common traits of a visual learner. So, when choosing your next training session, think about your learning style and how you will get the most out of your online or in-person training experience.

Heidi Kilian

Head: Training Academy