The UK’s education system forces people to learn in certain ways but that may not be the best way we learn at all. Jenny Smyth, marketing manager, Verve Group, ventures to challenge convention.
Coming through the usual school system in the UK can put people off learning for life. If they do not process information in the same way as the majority in their class, they may think that they are not as able as others and may give up trying. In many cases, it is simply that the teaching / learning style in school does not suit them. Once these people have the freedom to choose how to learn, the world of possibilities opens up.
Maybe reading a text and highlighting the important points works for some people when revising, but what if others learn by communicating and discussion? What if being able to choose what time of day to learn is the difference that leads to success? A more personalised approach to learning means that anyone and everyone can be successful, no matter how they may have done in the past.
There are many different types of learning style, including:
- Visual – prefers to see information and visualise the relationships between ideas
- Auditory – prefers to hear information and can process better that way
- Kinaesthetic – learns by doing; prefers hands on and practical learning.
It may be that you have not yet discovered which type of learner you are. Try some of the tips below and see if any are easier for you to retain knowledge and understanding.
Top tips for visual learners
- Flash cards could be your friend
- Copying out text in various different colours, using highlighters
- Pinning up colourful notes across your room
- Using mind mapping, or similar visual diagrams to link ideas
- Even doodles can be helpful
Top tips for auditory learners
- Audio versions of your study books, if available
- Podcasts relevant to the subject you are studying
- Record yourself (or a friend!) reading the text
- Even just talking out loud – although not in a library…
Top tips for kinaesthetic learners
- Act it out – anything that you are trying to learn, add an action
- Shadow someone using the knowledge in practice at work
- Join up with another student
- Redo the questions in the form of activities
Don’t lose confidence if you have found studying difficult in the past. It may just mean your learning style hasn’t been catered for. This is where The Art of Finance comes in.
Not only does it give you the opportunity to gain a fully recognised qualification in the area of financial services you are interested in, but you can also personalise this training, so it works best for you.
You can try any number of different learning styles using the new Art of Finance website; from mixing and matching modules to create your own course, to one to ones with subject experts. The online training is available 24/7 – meaning that you can use at any time that is convenient for you and fitting around your commitments. You may think that you don’t have the time or the ability to change your career, but with the personalised options of the online courses, you can start working towards making your career your masterpiece.
