Have you noticed how some students engage in oral lesson plans more than the writing activities or are great at following verbal instructions than the procedure handed over in writing? This is because some students learn better through sound and speech. This type of learning style is called auditory learning (audio based learning).
What is Auditory Learning?
Auditory learning involves the process of acquiring and retaining information through the aural senses. It refers to the ability to learn by listening attentively, understanding, remembering and recalling spoken information. Auditory learners may prefer listening to lectures, discussions, podcasts or audio recordings instead of reading or writing to grasp better and retain new information.
Students learn differently, and understanding how one learns can help educators provide instruction as per students’ varied learning styles. Identifying and delivering learning content based on students’ learning styles is a powerful way to help them learn and retain information better. For instance, an auditory learner may remember everything said during a lecture but have difficulty recalling the information outlined by looking at the board or from a book.
You can notice a few of the following common characteristics in auditory learners:
- High recollection of spoken information
- Better listening and speaking/verbal communication skills
- Good oration/storytelling/public speaking skills
- Talent at explaining ideas verbally
- Understanding these characteristics can help educators identify the auditory learners in the classroom. Students who engage in classroom discussions, have strong speaking abilities, can explain and communicate well verbally, and enjoy conversations are likely to be auditory learners.
- These learners often struggle with silence or background noise
Here are a few videos to better understand more about auditory learning:
What is your learning style? – Auditory Learning
This video highlights some key characteristics of auditory learners, like reading people’s tone, the need for logical order in instructions, and more. Watch this video to understand the varied characteristics of auditory learners.
What kind of learner are you? – The four different learning styles
This is a must-watch video to understand the varied learning styles and how you can identify students’ learning styles. The video also highlights tips on each learning style and ways educators can cater to individual learning needs.
Auditory Learning: Study Tips That Work!
Studies suggest that auditory learners make up about 30% of the population. This video will help you understand the audio learner’s various characteristics, strengths, and learning styles. It also shows the different learning tips, such as repeating facts aloud, using audio recordings and more, that can work wonders to support auditory learners.
While catering to individual learning styles can be challenging, it is an excellent idea to incorporate strategies that cater to multiple learning styles to ensure the overall success of classroom teaching. For instance, incorporating videos can help visual and auditory learners both. Integrating technology for students’ personalised learning is the best way to ensure all learning needs are met.
