What Are the Four Types of Learning?

People have different ways of learning information. This can make it especially difficult for teachers. While their methods of teaching might work for some of their students, they might not work for others. It is very important that teachers be aware of the four main kinds of learners. With this knowledge, teachers can structure their curriculum in such a way that all of their students will be able to learn efficiently.

Type I Learners

This type of learner falls into the Reflective Observation and Concrete Experience categories. These learners are referred to as Innovative Learners. These learners need to have a personal connection to whatever they learn in order to find it interesting.

Innovative Learners often ask a question that begins with "Why?" They want to be sure that whatever they are learning has a value in daily life situations. Teachers who have these kinds of students in class will find that these learners benefit most from activities such as brainstorming and cooperative learning.

Type II Learners

Type II learners fall into the Abstract Conceptualization and Reflective Observation categories and are referred to as Analytic Learners. Analytic Learners often ask questions that begin with "What?" For these learners, the processes and the concepts they learn have little value to them unless they can gain a deeper understanding of them. Analytic Learners like to acquire facts.

Teachers who have this kind of learner in their classroom will find that they like to analyze data, do independent research and find expert opinions on material being presented. Teachers will also notice that Analytic Learners like lectures, because they can learn quite effectively from them.

Type III Learners

These learners are referred to as Common Sense Learners. Common Sense Learners fall under the categories of Active Conceptualization and Abstract Conceptualization. These learners like to ask the question, "How does this work?" They are the learners who, if possible, want to actually try whatever it is they learn. Teachers will notice that this kind of learner works best with kinesthetic learning experiences.

Type IV Learners

Concrete Experience and Active Experimentation are the two categories that these learners, referred to as Dynamic Learners, fall into. These are the learners who have an interest in discovering things entirely on their own, generally using intuition. While they like to teach themselves new things, they often like to teach others new things as well. Dynamic Learners learn best through techniques such as games and simulations.

More Information

Although a student of a certain learning type might have a preferred learning method, that does not mean that the student cannot learn via other methods. Teachers who incorporate as many learning methods as possible (such as lectures, games, kinesthetic experiences and cooperative learning) into their curriculum find that they help the most students in their class to successfully learn the necessary materials.