Preferred Learning Strategies
A learning strategy refers to a person’s approach of organizing and applying a specific set of skills to understand the content or achieve other tasks more effectively and efficiently in academic and non-academic environments. I prefer to learn how to solve a problem by being presented with a real case scenario and applying it to learn the concepts of addressing similar issues. Besides, I prefer learning through practical experiences because I can understand concepts better and retain them in the long term compared to when I read a book or listen to a lecture. I also grasp new information more effectively from practical learning sessions such as field practicum and projects. Furthermore, I prefer tutors and instructors who teach using demonstrations and provide real-life scenarios and guide the learner to apply the learned concept in solving an existing issue.
My preferred learning strategies compare to most strategies under the Kinesthetic learning style. For instance, the preferred strategies in the Kinesthetic learning style include using real things and experiences when presented through images and screens. Other preferred strategies include documentaries and autobiographies, applying theories before theoretical learning, demonstrations, and applying learned concepts (VARK, 2019). Furthermore, people with the kinesthetic preference would rather discuss real things in their lives, have their own experiences, carry out activities with others, and achieve things using actions(VARK, 2019). Like my preferences, kinesthetic individuals prefer solving practical problems and applying problem-solving approaches and desire to achieve measurable outcomes.
Effect on Educational Performance and Importance of Identifying Learning Styles for Learners as an Educator
A person’s learning style influences how they comprehend or carry out educational activities. A learner grasps the concepts more effectively when the teaching method is consistent with their learning style (Childs-Kean et al., 2020). Consequently, when the teaching method aligns with the learner’s learning style, they understand and perform educational activities more effectively than when forced to adjust to other learning styles. An educator should strive to understand the preferred learning styles of individual learners in order to modify the teaching style to suit each learner’s style. By identifying individual learning styles, the educator can plan the teaching session to incorporate teaching methods that match the learners’ learning styles (Childs-Kean et al., 2020). For instance, in a setting with learners having all the learning styles, the educator can include: chart and diagrams for visuals, a lecture and audio recordings for the aural, reading handouts and books for read/write, and case studies and demonstrations for the kinesthetic. By doing so, the educator will help each learner gain the most from the learning session.
Learning Styles and Health Promotion
Health providers conducting health promotion need to be familiar with the learning styles of the individuals receiving the health education. Understanding a patient’s learning style helps enhance their learning, understanding, and retention of the health messages. Retention of health promotion messages increases the likelihood of individuals implementing them to adopt healthy lifestyle choices (Bokhari & Zafar, 2019). Individuals tend to have a greater interest in health promotion activities if the provider’s teaching method is consistent with their learning styles. Learning styles influence the likelihood of behavioral change if the individual effectively understands and retains the health messages and applies them in making healthier choices (Bokhari & Zafar, 2019). For instance, if a diabetic patient with a visual preference is educated on diet and exercise planning using charts and diagrams, they are likely to retain the information and apply the concepts to change their lifestyle practices.
Different learning styles can be incorporated in health promotion using various teaching methods aiming at aura, visual, read/write, and hands-on. For instance, the provider can give a health talk to target aural learners and use posters and charts containing health messages for visual learners (Mangold et al., 2018). In addition, handouts and pamphlets can be provided to target read/write learners, and demonstrations can be used for kinesthetic learners.
Conclusion
Learning styles are a major element of the comprehensive approach that should be considered when planning and facilitating a learning program. My preferred learning style is Kinesthetic since I grasp and retain concepts better when I learn them from practical activities, real-life experience
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