Study Uncovers Six Distinct 'Learning Personalities' Among Brits

BRITS typically fall into one of six learning personalities – from the scribbler who frantically fills notebooks, to the crammer who thrives under pressure.

Research of 2,000 adults found 26 per cent reckon they learn best as a ‘Note Taker’ who writes everything down to learn new information.

Despite 14 per cent admitting they have written down more information than they actually need.

Even if not fitting into this exact type, 45 per cent confessed to be avid note-takers, while 40 per cent said they lean on the highlighter with extreme vigour when reading or learning.

The research was commissioned by to celebrate Notebook on the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which can work with users’ own notes and documents to create resources such as decks or videos, ask follow-up questions, simplify topics and create quizzes or .

Just under a quarter (23 per cent) identify as ‘The Visualiser’, needing diagrams, examples, and demonstrations before new information sinks in.

Three quarters (75 per cent) of all learning types also agreed seeing something visually is important before they’re able to fully understand it, with 17 per cent believing it is essential.

In a similar vein of visual learning, 14 per cent recognise themselves as ‘The Highlighter’.

For this type, if something looks important, it gets highlighted – and if it’s really important, it probably gets highlighted twice.

And seven per cent are ‘Last-Minute Learners’ who insist they absorb information best when the clock is ticking.

Whereas 15 per cent fall into the category of ‘Sense-Maker’, never quite satisfied with the first explanation and needing to resort to other material such as videos, alternative text or real-world examples for things to finally make sense.

Finally, the rarest type, the ‘Quizzer’ comprises six per cent of the population who enjoy testing themselves or being quizzed on what they’ve learned.

Just under half (47 per cent) have changed their preferences as they got older, suggesting the way people learn isn’t necessarily set in stone.

Meanwhile, 28 per cent still use the same learning techniques they relied on at school, showing that some learning habits are harder to shake.

Six in 10 (62 per cent) pick up something new at least once a week, showing that learning doesn’t stop when leaving the classroom, it’s something done throughout everyday life.

From picking up a new skill or hobby to figuring out a tricky task at work, 24 per cent have found they have had to teach themselves how to use new technology in the past year.

While 79 per cent agreed they enjoy learning simply because they’re curious about something.

Many (85 per cent) are prepared to experiment when it comes to making new information stick, using different methods depending on what they’re trying to learn.

While 38 per cent admitted they’re still figuring out what works best for them.

Learners’ determination is hard to shake, as even when something doesn’t make sense first time, 37 per cent will search for another explanation.

Whether this is looking for a simpler answer (29 per cent), watching a video (39 per cent), asking someone to explain it differently (33 per cent), or testing themselves until it finally sticks (14 per cent).

These learning habits don’t necessarily stop at traditional methods, as 58 per cent say they would use an tool that adapted explanations depending on what they were struggling with.

One in 10 (10 per cent) would also find it useful to turn their own documents or notes into quiz questions.

Annika Bizon from said: “Learning doesn’t stop when we leave school or university. We’re constantly picking up new skills, solving problems and satisfying our curiosity, and our research shows there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

“Whether you need to write everything down, see something visually or hear an explanation three different ways before it clicks, technology can help make learning more personal.”