Visual learners are those that perceive and process the world primarily through visual details. Visual learners depend on what they see, rather than what they hear or do, when developing knowledge. They learn best from worksheets, written notes and other visual aids. Typically visual learners prefer illustrations and written language over spoken language, and they prefer that visual stimuli be isolated from auditory and kinesthetic distraction. Visual learners tend to take detailed notes, sit in the front of the classroom and prefer a passive learning environment, rather than an interactive classroom setting.
Auditory learners primarily perceive and process the world by hearing and listening. They learn best from lectures and oral presentations, rather than from reading or other written instruction or from hands-on activities. When compelled to learn by reading, auditory learners benefit from reading aloud, as they more aptly perceive what they hear, rather than what they see.
Tactile or kinesthetic learners perceive phenomena from doing or performing activities. Tactile learners often have trouble recalling written or oral details, but they ably remember what they did. Hands-on learning activities, such as in-class projects and experiments, are most beneficial to tactile learners who perceive through manipulating objects and materials on their own.
Most learners have a primary or preferred style of learning, which is determined based on the primary method in which they perceive and process their surroundings. However, learners do not totally lack in other styles of learning. To the contrary, many learners have a close secondary style of learning. For instance, a visual learner may also have strong tendencies in auditory perception.