Even though it hurts to hear: You have probably been falling for a lie for many years – the myth of the four learning types. Visual, Auditory, Communicative, and Motoric: Why this may be nicely simple, but nonsense, you will learn in the article.
4 senses, 4 learning types? The antiquated model by Vester
Even if you do not engage intensively with learning, you probably know the model of the four learning types:
Visual Learner
Auditory Learner
Communicative Learner
Motoric Learner
This model goes back to Frederic Vester, a German biochemist. In the 1970s, he published the bestseller "Thinking, Learning, Forgetting," in which he spoke of four channels and developed the so-called theory of learning biology. However, Vester himself did not strictly categorize people into a single learning type but spoke of hybrid forms (e.g., audio-visual).
All nonsense? Strong criticism of the model of the 4 learning types
If you Google the learning types – or even just the term "learning" – you will immediately find numerous articles and tests with the motto "What type of learner are you"? And sure: The model by Vester is simple, and it is always nice to learn (supposedly) something about yourself.
Neuroscientist Henning Beck is today one of many voices who express criticism of the model of learning types: If you took a test about your favorite food, the result would only reflect a small part of your preferences – according to Beck. But it is the mixture that makes the offer attractive!
So why has the myth of the 4 learning types persisted for so long?
I have already given two answers above: First, the model of the four learning types is so beautifully simple, and we humans are lazy and love simple answers. Second, there is an effect here similar to horoscopes: We love to learn things about ourselves. And we intuitively find aspects that we agree with. "I am a visual learner? – Oh right, I really do enjoy watching videos!"
Another answer is provided by this scientific paper from 2020: The model of learning types is based solely on our preferences. But just because we like something, it is not automatically good for us! Here again, Beck's nice comparison with our favorite foods fits. Only cheesecake and chocolate are, on the one hand, not good for us. On the other hand, we also get tired of our favorite food if that’s all there is.
For learning, this means: Just because I like to watch videos, a purely video-based e-learning does not generate the greatest learning effect for me. I am therefore not a "visual learner"; I just enjoy watching moving images.
Instead of learning type tunnel vision: Media switching benefits us all!
Current research shows that we learn best when various brain regions are addressed. Yes, even you as a visual learner! 😉 The mix makes it, and this also corresponds to the experience of many trainers and coaches: An e-learning that offers the entire media variety of video, text, quizzes, etc., is fun and motivates participants to stay engaged.
See also: Find the media mix for YOUR e-learning [Table]
Have you previously believed in the model of the four learning types? Now is the time to finally bury this myth. As a trainer or coach, this means the end of this learning myth: Long live the media mix! Now review your e-learnings and ensure that various formats and media alternate. This way, you stimulate different brain regions in all participants and ensure the maximum learning effect.
