Learning Styles

What type of learner are you?

Why do I need to know my learning style?

It is useful to you and your lecturers to know how you learn best

Does it really make a difference?

What is VARK?

VARK stands for Visual AuralRead/WriteKinaesthetic

Why do I need to complete the VARK questionnaire?

VARK helps indicate your learning style preference.

Every individual has a preference as to how they take in new information. One of the ways we can establish your preference is by you answering the VARK questionnaire.

IKEA Test

If you buy something that you have to assemble when you get it home, do you:

a. open the packaging and try to put the item together without reading the instructions?

b. read all the instructions before you attempt to assemble the item?

c. Hand the instructions to someone else to read them to you, or read them aloud yourself?

Mobile Phone Test

When you buy a new mobile phone, do you:

a. take it out of the box and fiddle with the pieces before you read any instructions?

b. Read all the instructions before you attempt to press any buttons?

c. Ask someone else to read the instructions to you and explain how the phone works, or read the instructions out loud to yourself?

Map Reading

Many people use a map and possibly write down some directions when finding their way to a new location. Do you:

a. look at a map and follow all the roads with your finger?

b. Look at the whole map and then look at every road?

c. Read out every road to yourself?

Results

Please circle the relevant answer below:

IKEA Test a=K b=V c=AMobile Phone Test a=K b=V c=AMap Reading Test a=K b=V c=A

Which one did you have the most of?

VISUAL LEARNER

Fleming claimed that VISUAL learners have a preference for seeing (think in pictures; visual aids such as overhead slides, diagrams, handouts, etc.).

VISUAL LEARNER

READ/WRITE

This preference is for information displayed as words. Not surprisingly, many teachers and students have a strong preference for this mode.

READ/WRITEIf you have a strong preference for learning by Reading and Writing (R & W) learning you should use some or all of the following:

• lists • headings • handouts • textbooks • readings - library • notes• teachers who use words well and have lots of

information in sentences and notes • essays

AUDITORY LEARNER

Auditory learners best learn through listening (lectures, discussions, tapes, etc.).

AUDITORY LEARNERIf you have a strong preference for learning by Aural methods (A = hearing) you should use some or all of the following:

• attend classes • attend discussions and tutorials • discuss topics with others • discuss topics with your teachers • explain new ideas to other people • use voice recorder, MP3 etc• describe the overheads, pictures and other visuals

to somebody who was not there

KINESTHETIC LEARNER

Tactile/kinesthetic learners prefer to learn via experience—moving, touching, and doing (active exploration of the world; science projects; experiments, etc.).

KINESTHETIC LEARNERIf you have a strong preference for Kinesthetic (doing) learning you should use some or all of the following:

Use all of your senses, Sight, Touch, Taste, Smell, Hearing. You learn best from

• examples• lecturers who use real life examples• hands-on experience• trial and error• exhibits• previous exam papers

Conclusion

Do you agree?