Learning Styles: A Look at Reading/Writing Learners

A brief overview of the third VARK learning style

by Sam O'Neal

I hope you have been following along with our continuing series on "Learning Styles in Small Groups," because it has been a good one. We started with a brief overview of learning styles in general, and have since talked about Visual Learners and Auditory Learners.

Now it's time to explore what it means to have a preference for the Reading/Writing learning style.

Gimme an R!
Remember that a learning style refers to the way a person prefers to perceive and process information. And for Reading/Writing Learners, the preferred way to perceive and process information is through...wait for it...reading and writing.

If Reading/Writing learners were assigned to learn something, they would go straight to a book and research the given topic. If they were asked to explain a concept or idea to another person, they would summarize what they have read about that concept or idea. And when they listen to a lecture or sermon, they process that auditory experience by writing down copious notes.

Reading/writing learners even turn to books as a means of artistic enjoyment and expression. They enjoy literature and good prose, and they often collect vast libraries (when they can afford it). They can write both creatively and practically, moving from a grocery list to poetry without any need to change gears.

A Few More Clues
Here are some other tendencies and preferences that may help you identify a Reading/Writing Learner:

If you ask a Reading/Writing Learner for directions, he will often jot down the appropriate streets and turns in list form.
When a Reading/Writing Learner orders food at a restaurant, she reads the menu and decides what she wants.
Reading/Writing Learners place a high value on well-written quotations and clever word games.
A Reading/Writing Learner would rather email you or text-message you than call your cell phone.

Okay, that's it for now. Check back in a couple days and we will discuss how what Reading/Writing Learners experience in a typical small-group session, as well as what they really need.

posted by Sam O'Neal on December 16, 2010 2:05 PM

Related Tags: Learning styles, Reading/Writing