Understanding Learning Styles

Understanding Learning Styles: A Practical Guide from the Classroom to Real Life

Understanding Learning Styles

“I never thought teaching a group of kids at the pesantren would teach me more about learning than a university lecture ever could.”

When I first started helping out at the pesantren, I thought teaching would be straightforward. I had my notes, some printed worksheets, and a whiteboard marker that barely worked. But I quickly learned that what worked for one student didn’t work for another. Fatimah loved stories. Irfan needed to touch and build things. Aisyah learned best when she could draw diagrams. That’s when I dove deep into the world of learning styles.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What research actually says about learning styles

• How to use them responsibly in your teaching

• The Soloman-Felder Model (and why it matters)

Practical strategies for applying learning styles with your students

The Research on Learning Styles: Hype or Helpful?

Let’s start with the big question: Are learning styles real?

According to a widely cited 2008 study by Pashler et al. published by the Association for Psychological Science, there is “no adequate evidence base” to justify the implementation of learning styles in education. Similarly, a 2017 study from Yale University warned educators not to rely solely on matching teaching styles to learner preferences.

So… why are we still talking about them?

Because while rigid labeling can be problematic, understanding how students prefer to process information—visual, auditory, kinesthetic—can still help us engage students in deeper, more reflective ways. The University of Michigan’s Center for Research on Learning and Teaching suggests using learning preferences not as a prescription, but as a way to diversify instruction and promote metacognition.

Important Considerations When Using Learning Styles

As a santri who also blogs and writes for the web, I’ve seen how we’re all capable of learning in more than one way. But our tendencies—our preferred modes—can make a huge difference in motivation.

Here’s what I learned the hard way (after my visual learners nearly staged a rebellion over an all-text worksheet):

1. Avoid labeling students permanently. Learning is dynamic. People change.

2. Blend methods. Try visuals, group discussions, hands-on activities, and reflection.

3. Encourage growth. Help students develop in less-preferred areas.

The University of Cambridge emphasizes this: using styles should be about expanding how students learn, not narrowing it.

The Soloman-Felder Model: Beyond VARK

If you’ve heard of VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic), great—but let’s dig a bit deeper.

The Soloman-Felder Index of Learning Styles, developed at North Carolina State University, identifies preferences across four dimensions:

1. Active vs. Reflective

2. Sensing vs. Intuitive

3. Visual vs. Verbal

4. Sequential vs. Global

This model resonated with me because it doesn’t just label how we absorb content, but how we process it. It made me realize that students like Ahmad, who always wanted to “see the big picture first,” weren’t being difficult—they were just global learners. Once I gave him a summary before the lesson, his engagement changed overnight.

Learning Strategies for Your Students (and Yourself)

Here’s a cheat sheet I’ve used with my own students—whether at the pesantren, tutoring online, or writing blog content for struggling learners.

Learning Style	Recommended Strategies	Tools or Resources
Visual Learners	Use charts, diagrams, and infographics Watch educational videos Create mind maps and color-coded notes	Canva Lucidchart Khan Academy
Auditory Learners	Listen to lectures and podcasts Use mnemonic devices and rhymes Join study groups and read aloud	Audible Spotify Podcasts Voice Memos
Kinesthetic Learners	Engage in hands-on experiments or projects Use role-playing or simulations Take frequent breaks with physical movement	STEM Kits Virtual Labs Quizlet Live
Reading/Writing Learners	Write summaries or journals Read blogs and academic papers Use lists and outlines	Notion Google Docs Online libraries

One method I use: mix two styles per lesson. Start with a video (visual) then move into a student-led discussion (auditory/active). It doesn’t require high-tech tools—just creativity and empathy.

Bonus Tip: Let Students Reflect on Their Own Styles

At the end of every month, I ask students to answer this in their journals:

> “What helped you learn this month? What didn’t? What surprised you?”

Their answers? Always enlightening. One student wrote: “I didn’t think making a comic would help me remember science terms, but now I use them in conversations!”

Reflection builds ownership—and that’s the goal.

Final Thoughts

Understanding learning styles isn’t about sorting students into boxes. It’s about recognizing that human beings learn in different ways—and that’s a gift, not a problem.

As a santri, I’ve found that true learning comes when you humble yourself to how others think, not just how you think they should learn. And as a blogger, I’ve seen firsthand how content can land—or fall flat—based on how it's delivered.

Let’s use learning styles not as a rulebook, but as a lens to design more inclusive, more effective learning environments.