Study Skills for higher education

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 Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3

Four learning styles of VARK Model.............................................................................................4

Personal Experience.........................................................................................................................5

Some of the criticisms of the VARK model....................................................................................6

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8

References........................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
Individuals learn in a variety of ways, and the term learning styles refers to a wide range of
hypotheses on why people learn in various ways. There are a number of views that agree that
people may be classified according to their learning style, but they disagree on how to define and
categorise these styles, leading to a stalemate. People learn in various ways, according to a
generally accepted belief among academics (Mozaffari et al., 2020). This research will examine
the suggested learning style advocated by the VARK Model, as well as how the model has had a
significant impact on learners. In addition, the research will explain a customised learning style
that may be used to assist a person in improving their learning process when it comes to
education and learning. The report will be summarised at the end of the presentation.

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Four learning styles of VARK Model
Many students find the visual learning system of the VARK Model to be a crucial feature of their
learning process while attempting to master a particular topic, according to Mozaffari et al.,
(2020). Visual learning is a teaching style that emphasises the presentation of classroom
knowledge to students in a visual format, which assists in the abstract conception of the whole
subject matter based on particular rules and criteria.

Masela and Subekti (2020) assert that the visual learning approach may assist students in better
comprehending classroom settings by establishing a relationship between their conceptualization
and knowledge of the subject matter, which is critical for their personal growth and development.
It is also possible to utilise sketch notes to effectively represent the whole amount of information
that students in the classroom are able to gain via the usage of this learning approach. Aside from
that, the VARK Model is geared toward auditory learners, in which students concentrate on
listening in order to improve their understanding of the subject matter. It is also critical for
students to develop a variety of conceptions in order to identify and comprehend the subject
matter.

This group asserts that the auditory style of learning may provide critical insights into the
formulation and understanding of ideas, and that this is responsible for the overall increase in the
student's progress while working in a learning environment. You should also be able to do the
following: According to the VARK Model, there are two types of learners: those who are visual
learners and those who are auditory learners. The VARK Model goes into great detail on each of
these types of learners. Visual learners spend their attention on visual representations of
information, while auditory learners concentrate their attention on audio representations of
information. At the end of the day, kinaesthetic learners are more concerned with passive
learning opportunities, which have been shown to be more engaging and inventive than other
types of learning tactics that are currently being used by educational institutions throughout the
world.

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Personal Experience
This kind of learning process conveys knowledge based on the concept of criticality, which is
especially crucial for appreciating the many ways that may be used to increase the overall
efficiency of studying a certain subject matter. My preferred approach of learning is the one
described above. It is crucial in education because it promotes the student's knowledge of the
topic from both the teacher's and other people's points of view; critical analysis is also important
because it helps the student to think critically about the information (Mozaffari et al., 2020). I
choose a combination of critical thinking and dialogue, both of which are based on physical
learning principles, as my preferred method of learning.

In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of a topic, it is essential for me to employ critical

thinking in order to gain an overall perspective on the topic and to employ various problem-
solving strategies that I have learned through critical thinking in order to better understand the
subject and to develop different approaches to improving conceptions based on theories and
learning, among other things. According to Birgili (2015), critical thinking skills may assist
students in improving their decision-making abilities, which is especially significant when a
student is working within a specific educational setting and attempting to maximise their overall
chances. Visual media has assisted me in improving my learning style, and auditory media has
also played a significant part in my life since critical thinking abilities, along with the use of
audio media, were required for me to properly comprehend the subject matter.

This knowledge of the analytical approach to learning is critical for my professional objectives
since it will allow me to take a more in-depth look at the topic and apply a range of development
strategies, such as a mix of audio and visual material, to deepen my comprehension. The use of
visual and aural media has helped me to identify areas where I need to improve, and these tools
have been especially useful in helping me to grasp various concepts via the use of practical
examples, which I have found while studying. The use of visual and aural cues, in addition to
emphasising the importance of the subject matter, is a progressive approach of learning about the
topic subject.

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Some of the criticisms of the VARK model
Learning styles such as VARK (visual, aural/auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic) are included
in the field of NLP (Neurolinguistic Programming) (Masela and Subekti, 2020). NLP includes
the study of neurology, language, and programming, which are three of the most essential
aspects of human experience that NLP comprises.

Instructors may learn more about their students' interests with the aid of VARK, and they can
then tailor their course to meet those interests. Independency When students are able to make
well-informed choices regarding their education, they gain more confidence (Rinekso, 2021).
They place less reliance on professors and other authoritative people to assist them in their
learning process. The VARK sparked a movement aimed at better understanding how people
learn and which techniques they find most effective. Through the development of an approach
and a language, educators were given the tools they needed to better understand how their pupils
learned. It is for this reason that VARK encourages instructors to go beyond their own particular
learning style in order to captivate their students' interest. It is usual for instructors who like
reading and writing to use these tactics while instructing their students in these subjects. In the
case of people who learn more well visually, the teacher may supply materials that will assist
them in learning more efficiently (Rinekso, 2021). Flexibility It has become clear to educators
and students alike that they are not need to use a certain learning style in order to be successful.
Nobody can agree on a solution to their differences in preferences that is acceptable to all parties.
As an example, students and educators can work together to gradually include other methods of
teaching and learning into the curriculum in order to challenge students and aid them in
adjusting.

When it comes to categorising individuals, the VARK may be a little too basic in its approach.
Because each person is unique, this has been criticised as being too simple and lacking of
practical use (Maxamadjonovna, 2022). Others argue that the VARK model is extremely
restricted in its approach to learning. According to the results of the VARK test, 39 percent of
those who take it fall neatly into one of the three categories given. Researchers have shown that
humans are capable of learning in a bimodal or trimodal fashion. Despite the fact that this is true,
some people attempt to compel others to follow a certain style of learning. VARK has been
criticised by critics of failing to sufficiently explain how to put the approach into practise.

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Teachers encounter a range of obstacles while integrating the many learning modes that are
included in this paradigm. Because of time limits in schools, it might be difficult to
accommodate diverse learning styles in the same class period (Maxamadjonovna, 2022). Take
into consideration the length of time it would take to teach the same content in a variety of
different methods. Whether or whether the information gathered during this examination is
accurate is a subject of much debate. According to some critics, labelling children may actually
hamper rather than enhance their learning, since it encourages them to study in a certain manner
and limits other alternatives.

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Conclusion
All of the learning styles studied thus far have been based on the VARK Model, as well as the
several different learning styles that students might use to improve their academic performance.
The usage of visual and aural media is not only beneficial in developing conceptual
understanding of the subject matter, but it is also required in order to produce better elements of
student development and progress within the educational institution. It has been suggested that
adding critical thinking into the classroom might assist students enhance their problem-solving
abilities while also providing them with extra possibilities for growth in a specific academic area.
It is possible to detect an issue by doing a critical examination from a range of angles.

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References
Birgili, B., 2015. Creative and critical thinking skills in problem-based learning
environments. Journal of Gifted Education and Creativity, 2(2), pp.71-80.

Ibrahim, R.H. and Hussein, D.A., 2016. Assessment of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning
style among undergraduate nursing students. Int J Adv Nurs Stud, 5(1), pp.1-4.

Masela, M. and Subekti, A.S., 2020. INDONESIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’VISUAL

LEARNING STYLE: LEARNERS’AND TEACHERS’PERSPECTIVES. ETERNAL (English,
Teaching, Learning, and Research Journal), 6(2), pp.259-274.

Maxamadjonovna, S.D., 2022. Types of Learning Styles. International Journal of Culture and

Modernity, 12, pp.18-21.

Mozaffari, H.R., Janatolmakan, M., Sharifi, R., Ghandinejad, F., Andayeshgar, B. and Khatony,
A., 2020. The relationship between the VARK learning styles and academic achievement in
Dental Students. Advances in medical education and practice, 11, p.15.

Rinekso, A.B., 2021. Pros and Cons of Learning Style: an Implication for English Language
Teachers. Acuity: Journal of English Language Pedagogy, Literature and Culture, 6(1), pp.12-
23.