Did you ever study learning styles; Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic? It never occurred to me that this knowledge could (and should) be applied to how technology is developed! Do developers of new products and applications take these learning styles into consideration?

Let’s consider the development of a website as an example. When we add content and various components to a site, do we give thought to the end-users learning style?

Visual Learners:

These people learn through seeing. It seems obvious that this will always be addressed in a website design, or will it? At LDPride.net I rediscovered that “These learners need to see the teacher’s body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson.” Photos help to do that, but video is the ideal solution.

Auditory Learners:

People learn through listening of course. Here again, the Internet answers the call with no shortage of verbal presentations (e.g. TED.com), online chats and webinars. But the key for optimal learning is “listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances.” LDPride goes on to say, “Written information may have little meaning until it is heard.” Think about that for a minute!

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners:

Others learn through ,moving, doing and touching. This is perhaps an area that is tougher to address online. However, the simple introduction of keys, touch-pads and controllers is a start. How do you combine those tools with things like games and video segments that require participants to move and do?

Do we fully address the ways people absorb information? Do we speak their language?