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We’ve all probably heard the saying“ The more we learn, the more we earn.” The truth is, we all want to be able to consume more information and at a faster rate. What ever topic excites us most, we would love to be subject matter experts in the blink of an eye so that we can use our time and energy better. Although there will never be enough information for us to know it all, we can strategically navigate the influx of information at our fingertips to take in the most important aspects and progress further and further. So how do we actually learn more and faster?

To learn more and faster we need to understand how we learn, and the various aspects that go along with it. First and foremost is finding out what your learning style is of which there are 4 main styles. Second is, finding out how much time you have to learn.

The method in which we learn plays a major role in how we process information and whether what we are trying to learn is important to us or not. Our attention spans are quite short, there have been quotes and studies that show that it is on average 8 seconds but I believe that our attention span is task dependent, based on research and my own personal experiences in learning.  Knowing what your learning style is will help point you in the right direction in which platforms are the best for you to find the answers you need. So let’s take a look at the 4 main learning styles.  

The 4 learning styles.

1. Visual

You might think that being a visual learner has something to do with watching videos. That is not true, if you are a visual learner you might absorb more through arrows, diagrams, charts and simplified visualisations of information. If you process information more through a visual manner you prefer to given the information as a whole rather than bit by bit.

Summarized information which gives you the answer or information you are looking so sources such as blogs, diagrams, charts or product videos will work best for you.

 

2.Auditory

If you learn more through auditory methods it means that you take in information better through hearing it being presented vocally.

TIP: Taking notes can at times distract you from hearing what is being presented clearly.

Videos and group discussions, going through a topic with other people often helps you, if you are an auditory learner. A simple method such as reading a text aloud to yourself will ensure that you take in the maximum amount of information.

3.Reading and writing

If reading information and writing it helps you process information, receiving handouts, PowerPoint slides or refine your thoughts in the method of a written assignment or essay will help you take in as much as you can.

Taking notes to organize your thoughts around what you have learnt, even when listening to a podcast or watching a video will help you refine and retain as much of it as possible.

4.Kinesthetic

If you are a kinesthetic learner you generally learn by being hands-on, seeing the results from how something works. Often misunderstood for learning only using your touch, being a kinesthetic learner actually means that you tend to engage all your senses to learn. I’ll be writing a blog on this soon.

Due to you needing to utilize all of your senses in order to learn effectively, you might find yourself having a difficult time in a normal classroom based environment. Methods such as key cards or a taking part in an interactive lesson a workshop based setting will work wonders for you.

Can you have more than one learning style?

It is perfectly normal to have more attributes from more than one learning style. There are some studies that state that between 50-65 percent of people can have more than one learning style. Known as multi-modal learners and tend to be more engaged in settings that engage with them through various methods.

Just because you might be able to learn through different methods, doesn’t mean you should randomly try any method to learn a new topic. Rather use a structured and strategic approach depending on what it is you’re after. For basic memorization and skill building , reading, writing and auditory methods are the best where-as kinesthetic methods are best used for more complex topics.

How much time do you have to learn?

Whether you are a student, a professional, a parent or all 3, we all have a limited amount of time throughout our day. To make time to learn new things or continue studying a certain topic can be difficult at times. The best approach is to take any time out that you can, 20 minutes a day, 1 hour or a couple hours, start with what you can and build from there.

There are different platforms you can use according to the amount of time you have available for learning.

• Podcasts are easy to access, in-expensive and can be used whilst doing other activities as well, if that is your learning style.
• YouTube is a great platform for easy access to all sorts of information, especially when busy with a project or direction on how to do something step by step.
• Online courses are a brilliant way to learn new subjects, they incorporate many tools for the different types of learning styles such as quizzes, videos, assignments, interactive sessions with the instructors and Q & A platforms with other students.

 Our online courses a structured in such a manner that help you save time and give you the most detailed information available.

Conclusion

Now that you know what your learning style is, use it to make the most of your valuable time that you have. Use the resources that you have available and don’t be afraid to ask for help. We love all things educational at Pamsasa, our team is here to help you with any learning query you have.