You can divide the visual learning style into two subtypes -- verbal and nonverbal. People with a visual learning style rely on visual cues to process information. An individual with a visual verbal learning style may find that she learns best if a teacher writes important points on a blackboard or provides her with an outline. Visual verbal learners can benefit from highlighting information in different colors in textbooks and making flashcards to memorize key concepts or vocabulary words. Visual nonverbal learners do best when teachers use maps, videos and charts to supplement lectures. A visual nonverbal learner may find it helpful to make a chart or diagram to help them remember important concepts.
Tactile, or kinesthetic, learners do best when they apply a hands-on approach to learning. Movement actually helps tactile learners to retain information. If you are a tactile learner, try listening to tape recorded lectures while walking or jogging. Stay active in a lecture by sitting near the front of the classroom and taking notes or even drawing pictures to assist your recall of the material. Flashcards are an ideal study aid for tactile learners.
Auditory learners enjoy group discussions and listening to taped lectures. An auditory learner can benefit from joining a study group or reviewing materials one-on-one with a study buddy. When studying alone, it is helpful for auditory learners to read their notes aloud. Auditory learners can also make audio tapes of notes or textbook chapters and listen to them as much as possible when preparing for a test. Math problems can be challenging for auditory learners. Talking through a problem aloud or reading it aloud to a study buddy can help an auditory learner to make sense of these problems.
You may be able to identify your learning style simply by reading about characteristics of the different styles and then determining which is the best match. Alternatively, free assessments exist online that will help identify your primary learning style. These assessments require you to answer questions about how you prefer to obtain information and your learning style is determined based on your answers. After you know your learning style, you can use strategies to help you maximize that style.