Individual Learning Styles and Learning to Code

As a current student one of the things I have been reflecting on lately is how to best approach my own personal process of processing new information on a daily basis and absorbing as much of it as possible. I wanted to take the time to create a game plan of how to tackle the onslaught of information a coding bootcamp student receives on a daily basis and figure out a way to process that information into verifiable coding skills.

What’s your learning style?

Learning coding is not just about learning a particular language. It’s learning how to think like a programmer. But how do we get there? I suggest you start at how you input that information, how you process it, and how you can internalize it.

Learning styles refer to a range of competing and contested theories that aim to account for differences in individuals’ learning.

For the past two weeks I’ve asked myself if my approach to daily learning is optimal. Do I rewatch lectures? Do I take more notes? Do I code along during lectures? Do I look for other resources on the internet? Are doing coding labs and pair programming projects enough for me? Should I try going over material with a study group? Which of all of the above is best for me?

If you’re reading this blog there’s a high chance you’re curious about coding or already learning coding. You might be asking yourself how do learning styles concern you? It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a traditional university environment, foregoing a formal education with self teaching with resources online, or attending a coding bootcamp. Learning how you process and retain information can be one of the most invaluable tools in your coding journey.

In my previous career I spent years as an educator using differentiated instructional strategies to address the variety of my students’ individual learning needs. In other words, figuring out ways to best break down and teach objectives to students in ways that suit their way of learning. It’s no secret that all of us have different learning styles and some of us even have a combination of them. However, for the most part one of them tends to be most dominant and this can change depending on the material you are studying.

There are arguably more than seven learning styles, but most experts tend to agree on there being at least seven. Read below and see which one you identify with most.

Verbal

Verbal learners, also known as linguistic learners, learn best through the written and spoken word. Users of this style enjoy language, reading, and writing. Chances are you love words. One of the keys to becoming a great programmer is reading documentation. Most courses and resources greatly emphasize this. Use this to your benefit. Re-reading documentation, rewriting your notes, using mnemonic devices, acronyms, diagrams, and other strategies will help improve your memory.

Verbal Study Strategies:

• Take the time to sit down and write, write and rewrite your words and notes.
• Try rewording main ideas and principles to gain a deeper understanding.
• A good idea is to try organize diagrams, charts, and graphic organizers into statements.

Visual

Visual learners prefer the use of images, maps, and graphic organizers to access and understand new information. They tend to learn seeing information delivered through pictures or other types of graphic presentation. Chances are you love your text editor due to the colors it uses to refer to specific code. Mind maps, diagrams, and images are your best friend. Mind maps are visual representations of thoughts and ideas that demonstrate how they are related. Opt for coding resources that use diagrams or images. If you take notes, try incorporating colors in a similar fashion to the way text editors work. Or sketch out concepts or layout ideas to develop your projects.

Visual Study Strategies:

• Utilize graphic organizers such as charts, graphs, and diagrams.
• Redraw your pages from memory.
• Replace important words with symbols or initials.
• Highlight important key terms in corresponding colors.

Auditory

Auditory learners best understand content through listening and speaking in situations such as lectures and group discussions. Think audio books, podcasts, lectures etc. Aural learners use repetition as a study technique and benefit from the use of mnemonic devices. There is so much vocabulary we need pick up as new coders. Auditory learners have the advantage of benefitting from hearing them being used.

Auditory Study Strategies:

• Record your summarized notes and listen to them on tape.
• Talk it out. Have a discussion with others to expand upon your understanding of a topic.
• Reread your notes and/or assignment out loud.
• Explain your notes to your peers/fellow “aural” learners.

Kinesthetic

Students who are kinesthetic learners best understand information through tactile representations of information. These students are hands-on learners and learn best through figuring out things by hand. (i.e. understand how something works by taking something apart and putting it back together.) Some of the characteristics of this group are movement, manipulation, and being hands on. This type of learner tend not mind broken code because they enjoy fixing it. They enjoy the transformation process of taking information and building it into a project.

Kinesthetic Study Strategies:

• Use real life examples, applications and case studies in your summary to help with abstract concepts.
• Redo lab experiments or projects.
• Utilize pictures and photographs that illustrate your idea.

Logical

Logical learners rely on logic and reasoning to make sense of the information they receive. If you are a logical learner you like working through problems, understanding cause and effects, and running simulation-type games. They tend to like to workflow applications, read documentation, and utilize libraries that utilize an understanding of hierarchy. Learning to code is all about problem solving so these learners really benefit from rolling up their sleeves and working on coding puzzles, challenges, and games.

Logical Study Strategies:

• Break large amounts of material down into segments and finding ways in which these segments relate.
• Look for patterns, associations and relationships between concepts in order to maximize understanding.
• Make the information personal to your own life, if possible. If you are able to see a pattern and compare it to personal experience in some way, you will begin to make sense of the information.

Social

Social leaners, or interpersonal learners enjoy working in groups. These type of learners thrive on sharing ideas and hearing the suggestions of others. A key to remembering information for this group is working together in social settings such as study groups. They should take advantage and connect with a study partner or two when possible and take turns going over material and testing each other. Chances are you’d enjoy participating in a local Hackathon, attending a coding meet-up, or any other kind of coding study group.

Social Study Strategies:

• Set a time and place to meet together with a study group. If you meeting with classmates in person is not possible, consider forming virtual study groups through Slack or Zoom.
• Take turns teaching each other. Each can can take a portion of the material and create a lesson to share with the others.
• Talk to a friend or family member about your educational pursuits. Explain what you’re learning or ask them to quiz you.

Solitary

On the opposite of the previous learning style we have solitary learners. Also known as intrapersonal learner, this type of learner needs quiet time alone in order to best process information and grasp concepts. Rather than thrive in a group, this type of learner may find themselves overwhelmed or distracted in a group setting. They will best benefit of reading on their own and taking the time to pause when needed to ensure comprehension. If you are a solitary learner there are an abundance of resources to research online and coding challenges you can attempt in your downtime.

Solitary Study Strategies:

• Setup a quiet and personal space at home or a space available to you. It will help you get in the right mindset to focus on academic work.
• During each study session make time to write down goals and set deadlines for completing them.
• Take the time to brainstorm and write down ways to review the material with flashcards or outlines.

Hopefully as you read through you were able to identity with one or two of the several learning styles we talked about. If you’re till not sure which learning style fits you best or would like a more formal approach to a personalized answer this questionnaire from VARK can help you get a better understanding of what your learning preferences are. After you answer a series of questions it will even provide you with study strategy suggestions based on how you score.

This can be of great benefit as you tackle the task of learning a new language and I’m certain it can be another tool in your arsenal for mastering coding. It really doesn’t matter where in your journey are because as programmers we will always have to keep up with changes in technology and learning new languages. Understanding how you learn and knowing what approaches are the right fit for you as you take in new information, process it, and retaining it can benefit you in your career trajectory as well.

I hope you found this blog post informative and walked away with a better understanding of yourself. Learning to code is not easy, but I’m certain understanding your learning style and the tools we discussed will benefit you immensely. I want to thank you for taking the time to read this blog post and I hope you’ll stick around for another one in the near future. Until then take care.