Embracing visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learning styles: How Wired for Learning tailors strategies for every learner

Education is not standardised or a ‘one size fits all’, and the idea that everyone learns in the same way has long been debunked. Learners differ widely in how they process information, and understanding these differences is key to helping each student succeed. The concept of learning styles, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic is a way of acknowledging that some students learn best through seeing, others through hearing, and others through hands-on activities. Wired for Learning, developed by Dr. Carla Hannaford and Monty Olding, embrace these diverse learning styles by offering personalised strategies tailored to each learner’s needs, ensuring that every student can excel in their own unique way.

But what is the importance of recognising learning styles?

Understanding that students process information differently is critical for effective teaching and learning. When educators and parents recognise a student’s preferred learning style, they can adapt their instruction to match, leading to better engagement, retention, and overall performance.

1. Visual learners
   Visual learners thrive when they can see the information presented in a structured and organised way. They absorb knowledge through diagrams, charts, graphs, and other visual aids. These students benefit from colour-coded notes, mind maps, and clear visual representations of complex concepts. Recognising visual learners helps educators provide tools that make abstract ideas more concrete and accessible.

2. Auditory learners
   Auditory learners absorb information best by hearing it. These students excel when they can listen to lectures, discussions, or audio recordings. They might also enjoy group discussions, debates, or reading aloud. For auditory learners, the rhythm, tone, and clarity of speech are crucial for comprehension. Teachers who understand this style will focus on verbal explanations and encourage auditory engagement through repetition, songs, or podcasts.

3. Kinaesthetic learners
   Kinesthetic learners are hands-on, learning by doing rather than by seeing or hearing. They are often more active, needing physical movement to help retain information. Whether through experiments, role-playing, or physical activities, kinesthetic learners thrive when they can engage with materials in a tactile way. By incorporating movement into learning, teachers can help these learners connect theory to practise, enhancing memory and understanding.

Our unique approach to learning

Wired for Learning recognises that identifying each learner’s dominant style can be transformative for both the learner and the educator. With over 35 years of scientific research and over 3,000 dominance assessments, Dr. Carla Hannaford’s work laid the foundation for a personalised learning approach. Monty Olding, a UK-based educator, expanded on Hannaford’s findings, bringing her theories into everyday classroom and home environments through the Wired for Learning program.

At the heart of Wired for Learning is the recognition that learners are unique, and no single method will work for everyone. Through its interactive assessments, the program identifies each student’s dominant learning style and provides customised reports that outline strategies tailored to the learner’s strengths and preferences.

1. Visual learning strategies
   For visual learners, Wired for Learning suggests using diagrams, visual outlines, and colour-coded systems. The program’s personalised reports may recommend incorporating visual organisers, digital learning tools, and even optimal seating positions to help these students focus on what they see. Understanding how stress affects a visual learner is also essential, as Wired for Learning provides insights into how learners can maintain focus and reduce stress by using their visual strengths.

2. Auditory learning strategies
   Wired for Learning tailors strategies for auditory learners by encouraging listening-based activities, such as discussions, verbal instruction, and auditory memory games. The program’s reports may suggest seating arrangements that optimise auditory engagement, such as placing learners where they can clearly hear the teacher or minimising distractions. Wired for Learning also recommends stress-reduction techniques that align with auditory dominance, helping learners stay calm and focused through rhythmic breathing or soft background music.

3. Kinaesthetic learning strategies
   For kinesthetic learners, Wired for Learning offers hands-on activities and movement-based learning techniques. The program recognises that these learners may need frequent breaks and opportunities for physical engagement to keep their brains “switched on.” Tailored movement exercises are key, helping students reset when they feel overwhelmed or distracted. Wired for Learning also suggests real-world applications of learning, such as interactive experiments, role-playing, or creative projects, to keep kinesthetic learners engaged and active in their education.

Taking the whole brain

Wired for Learning doesn’t just stop at identifying a learner’s dominant style, it also takes a holistic approach by incorporating whole-brain training. Dr. Hannaford’s research emphasises the importance of engaging both hemispheres of the brain, allowing learners to fully utilise their cognitive potential. Through activities that balance visual, auditory, and kinesthetic inputs, Wired for Learning helps students develop stronger neural connections, making it easier to adapt to different learning situations.

Stress is another major factor that Wired for Learning addresses. The program’s reports give educators and parents insight into how stress impacts each learning style. For example, visual learners may “shut down” when overwhelmed by too much auditory input, while kinesthetic learners might struggle with sitting still for extended periods. By recognising these stress responses, Wired for Learning provides strategies to help students return to a calm, focused state. This could involve simple physical exercises for kinesthetic learners or calming auditory stimuli for auditory learners.

Personalised learning

Wired for Learning’s emphasis on personalisation makes it a standout program for supporting learners with diverse needs. Whether a child is primarily visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, the program adapts to ensure they receive the most effective strategies for their learning profile. The personalised reports generated by Wired for Learning provide both in-depth insights and practical recommendations that are easy for teachers, parents, and tutors to apply. From stress reduction techniques to optimal seating plans, Wired for Learning offers a comprehensive, whole-brain approach to maximising each learner’s potential.