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Love it or hate it, virtual classrooms are here to stay and they’ve redefined how educators approach teaching. But with this shift comes a challenge — how do we cater for students who learn in different ways? Whether a student thrives on visuals, listens intently to absorb knowledge, or learns best by doing, it’s up to educators to create an inclusive learning environment.
The beauty of virtual classrooms? They come with a toolkit of options to make this versatility possible. Catering to different learning types isn’t just about ticking boxes: it’s about making every student feel supported and understood. So, how can you do that effectively in a digital setting?
Here are some practical strategies to make sure no student is left behind, as we explore how educators can cater to different learning types in virtual classrooms.
1. Provide learning materials in flexible formats
One of the most significant benefits of virtual classrooms is their capacity to provide learning resources that work around different learning styles. For example, if you’re sharing study guides, worksheets, or presentations, convert from PDF to Word so these files can be easily edited. This small tweak allows students to highlight, annotate, or even adjust fonts and colours to suit their preferences. It’s an easy and effective way to service different learning types without having to transform your teaching materials completely.
Additionally, think beyond traditional handouts. Visual learners will benefit from infographics or visually rich slide decks, while auditory learners might appreciate accompanying audio files or recordings. On the other hand, kinaesthetic learners — those who learn by doing — may engage more with interactive quizzes or editable documents they can easily manipulate.
Whether it’s arts and crafts or the traditional math curriculum, the key is to keep resources dynamic and adaptable. By offering files that are easy to tweak and personalize, you give students the freedom to take charge of their learning experience. Offering resources in flexible formats enables students to engage with the material using their preferred method. This small action can make the biggest impact.
2. Incorporate visual elements
Visual learners — those who process information best through images, videos, and graphics — thrive when they have something to “see”. For online classrooms, that means reaching beyond heavy text-based presentations and getting creative with visuals. Diagrams, charts, flowcharts, and explanatory videos can make complicated concepts easier to understand.
Platforms like Adobe Express make it easy to create sleek visuals without needing to be a graphic designer. Weave animations into your slides, or include brief video snippets to better explain difficult topics. Consider using assistive technology in the classroom such as text-to-speech software that can produce written notes of spoken lectures instantly. And don’t forget virtual whiteboards! You can use tools like Jamboard and Miro to draw, annotate, and brainstorm with students when mapping ideas or explaining processes.
Visuals provide a refreshing change from reading slides and listening to lectures. Plus, they work beautifully for group collaboration. Students can contribute to mind maps, share screenshots of their work, or co-create a flowchart.
3. Harness the power of audio
For auditory learners, listening to someone explain a concept can be the best way to absorb information. A great example are podcasts, which provide a digestible way to discuss subjects in a conversational style; less formal than the average lecture. You could also supply videos of yourself reading over the key themes from lectures, which can be played back when students are revising, helping the most important information to really sink in.
It’s not just about delivering information, but creating opportunities for students to engage. Encourage them to create audio notes or even record responses to discussion prompts. Platforms like Flipgrid let students share short video or audio recordings, which can be better for those who feel more comfortable speaking than writing.
Incorporating audio doesn’t have to mean reinventing the wheel. Even playing quiet background music during a pre-recorded lesson or using voice notes to provide students feedback can help the virtual classroom feel more alive.
4. Add interactivity for kinaesthetic learners
Kinaesthetic learners are hands-on types of people — they learn through movement, touch, and doing. Virtual classrooms might seem challenging for these students, but with a little creativity, they can be just as engaging. The trick is interactivity.
Think about incorporating drag-and-drop quizzes, virtual labs, or even breakout rooms for collaborative problem-solving. Platforms like Quizizz make it easy to create fun, gamified learning experiences where students can actively participate rather than passively watch. You could also set practical tasks for students to complete offline, then have them share their results or reflections during live sessions.
Another tip: give kinaesthetic learners opportunities to engage with physical objects where possible. For instance, a science teacher could allow students to perform simplified experiments at home, while a language teacher might suggest that students write out words onto flashcards. Pairing these physical activities with digital discussions strikes the perfect balance.
5. Foster collaboration through group activities
Now let’s talk about social learners. These are the students who thrive in group settings, so naturally can feel isolated in a virtual environment. That’s why fostering collaboration is so important, and can be done through breakout rooms to encourage smaller discussions, or assigning group projects that facilitate teamwork and shared responsibility.
Students can collaborate in real time using Google Docs, Padlet and Trello, no matter where they are. Pair this with regular check-ins to ensure students feel supported and connected throughout the process.
Remember — activities don’t just benefit social learners. They also help students develop essential teamwork skills and create a sense of community in the virtual classroom. It’s a win-win!
6. Provide clear structure and feedback
No matter their learning type, all students benefit from structure and consistent feedback. Giving clear instructions and regular updates keeps everyone on track, regardless of their learning styles.
In a virtual setting, you can use shared calendars or task trackers to outline lesson plans and deadlines. Don’t underestimate the power of personalized feedback. Whether it’s a quick comment on a project or a detailed review, it shows students that you’re paying attention to their individual progress. It makes them feel seen and heard.
And finally, remember that feedback isn’t just about correcting mistakes — it’s also about celebrating wins. Highlighting strengths alongside areas for improvement can motivate students to keep engaging with their learning.
Final Thoughts
Virtual classrooms might seem tricky to navigate at first, but with the right strategies, they can become a space where every single type of learner feels seen and supported. It’s not about perfection, but making the effort to meet learners where they are.
By experimenting with these approaches, you’ll keep students engaged, and empower them to thrive.
Further Reading:
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