Different Types of Learning: What Works Best for You?

As we get older, we tend to think of learning as something that only happens in school. But learning happens all the time, in all sorts of ways. Some of it is formal, like taking a class or reading a book. But much of it is informal, like learning how to use a new piece of technology or picking up a new hobby.

There are different ways to categorize the different types of learning. One way is to think about whether the learning is intentional or unintentional. Intentional learning is when we set out to learn something, like taking a class or reading a book. Unintentional learning is when we learn something without meaning to, like when we learn a new route to work after getting lost.

Another way to think about the different types of learning is to think about whether the learning is active or passive. Active learning is when we are actively engaged in the learning process, like when we are participating in a class or doing a puzzle. Passive learning is when we are not actively engaged in the learning process, like when we are listening to a lecture or watching a video.

Finally, we can think about the different types of learning in terms of the content that is being learned. Some examples of content that can be learned include facts and information (like history or science), skills (like cooking or playing an instrument), or attitudes and values (like tolerance or respect).

As you can see, there are many different types of learning. And as we get older, it becomes more and more important to engage in intentional, active learning in order to keep our minds sharp and our skills up-to-date.