Online students absorb and retain information in different ways. Understanding your learning style can make a big difference in how effectively you study—and how much you retain. While some learners thrive on visuals or listening, others prefer hands-on activities, solo study, or group collaboration.
If you're unsure what style works best for you, don’t worry. This guide breaks down the most common online learning styles and offers tips to help you find—and use—your strengths.
Different Online Learning Styles
Below are the most common online learning styles. You may identify strongly with one—or use a mix, depending on the subject or situation.
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Visual Learners
Learn best through images, diagrams, videos, charts, and color-coded materials. Tools like mind maps and screencasts are especially helpful.
Auditory Learners
Grasp information best by listening. Benefit from lectures, podcasts, webinars, and repeating concepts out loud.
Verbal Learners
Prefer written and spoken words. Thrive with note-taking, reading, writing, and rewriting information to reinforce memory.
Kinesthetic Learners
Understand concepts through movement and physical activity. Excel with interactive tools, simulations, and real-world applications.
Reading/Writing Learners
Prefer text-based materials: essays, written assignments, textbooks, and study guides. Like to process info through reading and note-taking.
Social Learners
Learn best through discussion, collaboration, and group work. Benefit from forums, group projects, and video calls.
Solitary Learners
Prefer independent study and minimal group interaction. Learn best when working alone and setting their own pace.
Discover What Online Learning Style is Best for You
Many people have a combination of learning styles, so you may want to experiment to find the method that helps you learn best. Here are steps to uncover the best style, or styles, for you.
Identify Your Learning Preferences
Perhaps you’ve never given your learning style a lot of thought. Such discovery is important, as it influences the way you solve problems and understand information. There are free online assessments such as the EducationPlanner quiz, Learning Style quiz, and VARK Questionnaire that can help you determine whether you’re mostly a reading and writing, visual, kinesthetic, or auditory learner.
You should also think about your past learning experiences and which study approaches — from watching videos to engaging in hands-on activities — were most effective in helping you grasp and retain information.
Experiment with Techniques
If you're unsure about your style, try various study approaches and online resources. Alternate between listening to audio content and watching instructional videos, for example, to find out which approaches help you learn best. You may find that the best way to learn online depends on the subject—and that mixing techniques can be more effective than sticking to one style.
Consider Your Personality and Environment
Your personality can have a significant impact on how you learn. While extroverts might take to group settings and collaborative learning environments, introverts may learn better by themselves in online courses. Some students learn better when they feel emotionally invested in outcomes, while others learn better with clear objectives.
Apply What You Learn
After you have identified your favored learning style, apply your approach accordingly. For example, auditory learners can listen to lectures or join study groups, visual learners can craft diagrams, and kinesthetic learners can seek out real-world applications or interactive assignments.
Learning at Campus
At Campus, we recognize that no two learners are alike. That’s why our programs are designed to support multiple learning styles—from visual and auditory to hands-on and independent.
Every student is paired with a personal success coach who helps you build effective study habits based on your strengths and preferences.
We also make affordability part of the equation. Our online degree programs are priced below the Pell Grant maximum, and many students pay little or nothing out of pocket with financial aid* depending on their eligibility and individual circumstances . Eligible students also receive a free laptop and WiFi access—so you’re equipped to succeed no matter how you learn. Specific details are provided upon enrollment.
Ready to discover the best way for you to learn online? Apply to Campus today and build a college experience that works for your learning style.
*Based on current enrollment data from the Campus AABA program since January 2022. Financial aid eligibility varies.