Learning Styles for Presenters

Understanding learning styles is important. This applies for presenters in education and business settings.

It can make the difference between an impactful presentation and one that fails to land.

In this article, you will learn about the different types of learning styles and gain strategies on how to create presentations that address diverse learning preferences.

What is a Learning Style?

First things first. Let’s begin by defining what a learning style is.

Learning styles are personal preferences for absorbing, retaining, and understanding information.

Most people may be unaware of what their learning styles are until they take a learning style assessment or it is pointed out by their educators.

Although experts debate the validity of learning styles, it’s clear that we learn differently from each other. Each of us has distinct ways of comprehending and processing information.

It’s important to recognize that no one falls into a single learning style. Instead, individuals tend to employ varying styles to different extents, and their learning style may even shift depending on the situation.

Students can optimize their learning by seeking teaching methods that appeal to them the most. Teachers and presenters can become more effective by catering to their audience’s learning styles.

Being aware of different learning styles helps presenters avoid fixating on a single approach. Instead, they can address diverse learners, becoming more effective and impactful in their delivery.

Let’s dig deeper into each learning style, explain their characteristics, and provide examples.

Types of Learning and Their Characteristics

There isn’t just one learning style inventory. One of the most popular frameworks is the VAK model, which stands for Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic.

1. Visual Learners

Visual learners absorb information best when presented through images such as pictures, videos, charts, diagrams, mind maps, and infographics.

For example, in a presentation about goal setting, visual learners would appreciate a flowchart depicting the different steps involved.

2. Auditory Learners

Auditory learners prefer information presented through the spoken word. They thrive on lectures, oral discussions, and audiobooks.

According to Professor William Bradford’s research, approximately 30% of the population learn by hearing.

In the goal-setting example, auditory learners would benefit from a verbal explanation of the flowchart.

3. Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners thrive with hands-on, tactile experiences and physical activities. They learn best by engaging in action.

Bradford estimates that 5% of the population are Kinesthetic or Experiential learners, benefiting from clinical work, role-playing, and interactive exercises.

Kinesthetic learners would excel with a printout of the goal-setting flowchart, and turning it into a jigsaw puzzle for participants to assemble would enhance their experience.

4. Read/Write Learners

The VAK model was expanded into the VARK model, adding “Read/Write” as a learning style.

Read/Write learners excel by reading written materials and writing down information. For instance, they would enjoy filling in a blank goal-setting flowchart.

Bradford estimates that 65% of the population needs to see what they are learning, and they perform well on written assignments while struggling with oral lectures.

The Impact of Gender on Different Learning Styles

Researchers have found that learning styles can vary by gender.

Honigsfeld and Dunn revealed that male students tended to prefer peer interaction and kinesthetic activities more than female students, who typically learned through a wider variety of methods.

Interestingly, the researchers concluded that individual differences in learning styles were often more pronounced than gender differences.

Previous studies indicated that when teaching was responsive to various learning styles, students’ standardized test scores improved significantly, regardless of gender.

This underscores the importance of catering to a variety of learning styles rather than attempting to accommodate any single preference.

Why Learning Styles Matter for Presenters

Understanding the different types of learning styles reveals the necessity for presenters to cater to various learners.

Incorporating varied teaching methods in a presentation can enhance how information resonates with the audience.

A presentation can fall flat if you neglect to consider your audience’s learning styles.

Different learning preferences encourage active participation, while disinterest can result in a disengaged audience.

Catering to different learning styles fosters an inclusive learning environment where all individuals feel seen and understood, increasing the likelihood of valuing the learning experience.

3 Presentation Tips for Different Learning Styles

Now let’s explore specific techniques to engage different learning styles in your presentation, applicable to both in-person and virtual formats.

1. Creating Presentations for Visual Learners

Visual learners require visual stimuli. Use a variety of visuals in your presentation, such as:

• Pictures
• Diagrams
• Charts
• Maps
• Mind maps
• Infographics
• Icons
• Emojis
• Avatars
• Memes
• GIFs
• Flashcards
• Videos

Additionally, use visual cues to organize ideas and highlight key points through:

• Color coding to categorize information
• Highlighters, lines, arrows, and other means of emphasizing important ideas
• Variations in typography to reflect the hierarchy of information

2. Engaging Auditory Learners During Presentations

Auditory learners excel through spoken words and sounds. They thrive in traditional classroom settings driven by lectures, but there are many auditory strategies you can employ.

Incorporate a range of auditory content in your presentation, including:

• Verbal explanations
• Lectures
• Discussions (including breakout groups)
• Debates
• Poems
• Rhymes
• Alliteration
• Storytelling
• Audio recordings
• Podcasts
• Audiobooks
• Skits
• Music
• Sound effects

Layer these auditory elements onto your visual presentation to create a richer experience.

Ensure your voice is clear and vary your tone, volume, and pitch to maintain the attention of auditory learners.

3. Presenting to Read/Write Learners

Read/Write learners thrive on reading and writing information. Consider including the following content types in your presentation:

• Headings and text
• Quotes
• Articles
• Handouts
• Summary notes
• Outlines
• Lists
• Tables
• Study guides
• Glossaries
• Labels on images
• Subtitles in videos

Ensure your slides provide a clear hierarchy of information through headers and sub-headers, and use bullet points to break down information into manageable parts.

Encourage note-taking by providing materials like workbooks or structured templates that prompt note-taking.

You can also engage your audience with a brief writing activity. For example, ask, “What’s one takeaway you have from this presentation?”

In virtual settings, encourage participants to use the chat function to write questions or answers to prompts.

4. Hands-On Elements for Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners need interactive, hands-on experiences.

In an in-person presentation, you can incorporate:

• Activities requiring physical engagement (like standing, raising hands, or clapping)
• Printouts of slides, outlines, and graphic organizers
• Props and objects for manipulation
• Experiments or demonstrations
• Interactive displays

You can also ask participants to demonstrate their learning. For instance, prompt them with questions like, “Stand up if you think you learn best through visuals.”

For online presentations, encourage kinesthetic interaction by having participants raise their hands, respond to polls, or find objects related to your topic in their homes.

Catering to Mixed Learner Audiences in Presentations

Now that you understand the different learning styles, the challenge is creating a presentation that addresses diverse audiences.

Most people utilize a combination of learning styles, so it’s essential to create a balanced approach.

Professor Bradford’s observations suggest that Visual and Read/Write learners make up a majority, with Auditory learners around one-third, and Kinesthetic learners being a minority.

Start by addressing Visual and Read/Write learners through visuals and text. Then, complement your presentation with auditory elements such as videos or sound effects.

Finally, integrate tactile activities to keep Kinesthetic learners engaged. Utilize methods that hit multiple learning styles at once, such as using a video that appeals to Visual, Auditory, and Read/Write learners simultaneously.

Your presentation should cater to everyone without overwhelming the content. Each element should support and enhance your message cohesively.

Create Presentations Tailored to Different Learning Styles

Creating a presentation that accommodates diverse learning styles can be simplified with Envato Elements.

Elements offers thousands of presentation templates designed to engage your audience, regardless of their learning preferences. These templates are visually appealing and come with dynamic transitions and animations.

You can incorporate various assets such as photos, graphics, and icons from the Elements library to cater to all learning styles.

The library also features thousands of videos, music, and sound effects, allowing you to create engaging course materials for all types of learners.

With one low monthly subscription, you gain unlimited downloads from over 16 million items, with a single license covering both personal and commercial use.

Become a Better Presenter through Learning Styles

Now you know how to address different learning styles to become an exceptional presenter.

Catering to various learning styles enhances the effectiveness of your presentation and increases audience engagement.

While considering different learning preferences may require additional effort, it will ultimately lead to a lasting impact on your audience.

Embrace the diverse power of learning styles to elevate your presentations and leave a memorable impression.