Learn like no one's watching...

Each individual has qualities that make us unique. If everyone is different, then why should there be a one size fits all approach to learning? At Platute, we believe there shouldn’t be. In order to get the most out of learning and reach your full potential, it is important to know how best you understand and retain information. 

The Good Listener

Auditory learners understand the most when they are taught verbally and can hear solutions and examples explained to them. Typically, tutors should teach by speech or sound in order to help students excel at oral exams, music and reading aloud. However auditory learners may be easily distracted by background noises and may struggle to comprehend written work. 

Top Tips for Auditory Learners

• Read ‘out loud’ in your head. By speaking to yourself you will be able to better comprehend the information. 
• Opt for Platute group classes for tutoring where possible 
• Avoid distractions, such as music or background noise, when studying. 

The Curious Kid

Curious is the apt way to describe visual and special learners. With the need to understand the process by which something happens, visual learners prefer practical activities where they can create the concepts or watch another person, such as a tutor, apply theoretical concepts. With vivid imaginations, visual-spatial learners are incredibly observant and like to understand the bigger picture behind concepts. 

Top Tops for Visual-Spatial Learners 

• Think (and teach others) in pictures, rather than words. Your brain is wired to recognise images with greater efficiency than words, make the most of it!
• When studying, engage visual aids, mind maps, worked examples and processes

The Chatterbox

Otherwise known as verbal learners, such students favour writing and speaking when attempting to understand a concept. Often they will have a great vocabulary, tell excellent stories and have a great grasp on words and how they fit together to convey meaning. The best way for a verbal learner to study and be tutored is by combining a variety of verbal methods together. 

Top Tips for Verbal Learners: 

• Mix it up - reading, writing, discuss with a tutor and use audio resources 
• Read widely 
• Continue to add to your vocabulary 

The Human Calculator 

Logical and mathematical learners, as the name reveals, are usually predisposed to working with numbers, patterns and like to structure their work in a logical way. Such students, respond best to a tutoring approach that has a clear process and sticks to consistent relationships between cause and effect. 

Top Tips for Logical and Mathematical Learners: 

• Look for patterns and develop systems that you can respond to 
• Use statistics and examples as proof
• Follow a structured study routine and use lists, like we do at Platute!

The Athlete 

It’s all in the name: hands on, energetic and practical. Physical or kinaesthetic learners best respond to action orientated methods where they have the ability to ‘get their hands dirty’ and understand the process by doing. Though this type of learner only represents a small fraction of the population, it is best to recognise and counteract this extra energy into a pragmatic method when tutoring.

Top Tips for Physical Learners: 

• Take regular breaks to move around and refocus
• Discussion, acting and writing on a whiteboard can be helpful 
• Incorporate exercise into your study routine

The Social Butterfly 

Do you work better in a group? Love making new friends? And have an affinity for leadership? Social learners prefer to learn in a group class and collaborating,  rather than by focussing on individual tasks. Often social learners are outgoing, extraverted and great communicators. However this doesn’t mean that they have to be the loudest student in the class. Social learners, by definition, are interpersonal people who understand others and learn from qualities such as empathy and sensitivity. 

Top Tips for Social Learners: 

• Roleplaying and acting out scenarios 
• Collaborating on problem solving with others
• Talk through touch problems with a Platute tutor

The Lone Wolf 

Solitary and intrapersonal learners are mostly very social, but when it comes to studying, they prefer to ride solo. This type of learner is often a combination of many other types of learners and desire independence, privacy and are self determined and motivated. Though solitary learners may be quiet when learning; it is important they are engaged within a group class environment to fully understand. 

Top Tips for Solitary Learners: 

• Study in designated quiet areas to get the most out of your learning
• Attempt to engage in interpersonal learning where possible; this could even be one on one with a tutor!

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1. If assignments and studies are leaving you frustrated and worn out, help is only a few clicks away. Platute is a free resource that connects you to available tutors. These experienced mentors can help you with any subject down to course specific units.