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Learning Styles

This document discusses learning styles and the VARK model of learning styles. It explains that learning styles refer to the different ways students process and understand information, such as visually, auditorily, through reading/writing, or kinesthetically. It describes Neil Fleming's VARK model, which categorizes the main learning styles as visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. The document provides details on each of these learning style categories and advises teachers to understand students' learning styles to help increase comprehension, motivation, and academic performance by matching instruction to students' preferred styles.

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Emmanuel Thon Mading
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22 views4 pages

Learning Styles

This document discusses learning styles and the VARK model of learning styles. It explains that learning styles refer to the different ways students process and understand information, such as visually, auditorily, through reading/writing, or kinesthetically. It describes Neil Fleming's VARK model, which categorizes the main learning styles as visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. The document provides details on each of these learning style categories and advises teachers to understand students' learning styles to help increase comprehension, motivation, and academic performance by matching instruction to students' preferred styles.

Uploaded by

Emmanuel Thon Mading
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Learning Styles

All Students Are Created Equally (and Differently.)

 Understanding learning styles is relevant for both educators and students.


What is a learning style? A learning style is a method of processing
information. The learning styles definition assumes that there is more than
one way to interpret educational input. In addition, there are multiple ways
to organize and represent information and to prove knowledge. While most
students can participate in most learning styles, many students prefer one
style over another.
 Learning styles are related to the work of Howard Gardner, who proposed
that every person possesses several types of intelligence, and intelligence is
not fixed. His theory, termed multiple intelligences, identifies several ways
people can be intelligent. Gardner states that multiple intelligences are not
the same as learning styles, but the concepts often appear together in
educational literature.

Understanding VARK

One of the most accepted understandings of learning styles is that student learning
styles fall into three categories: Visual Learners, Auditory Learners and
Kinesthetic Learners. These learning styles are found within educational theorist
Neil Fleming’s VARK model of Student Learning. VARK is an acronym that
refers to the four types of learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing
Preference, and Kinesthetic. (The VARK model is also referred to as the VAK
model, eliminating Reading/Writing as a category of preferential learning.) The
VARK model acknowledges that students have different approaches to how they
process information, referred to as “preferred learning modes.” The main ideas of
VARK are outlined in Learning Styles Again: VARKing up the right tree!
(Fleming & Baume, 2006)

 Students’ preferred learning modes have significant influence on their behavior


and learning.
 Students’ preferred learning modes should be matched with appropriate learning
strategies.
 Information that is accessed through students’ use of their modality preferences
shows an increase in their levels of comprehension, motivation, and
metacognition.

Identifying your students as visual, auditory, reading/writing, kinesthetic, learners,


and aligning your overall curriculum with these learning styles, will prove to be
beneficial for your entire classroom.Keep in mind, sometimes you may find that
it’s a combination of all three sensory modalities that may be the best option.
Allowing students to access information in terms they are comfortable with will
increase their academic confidence.

Visual

Visual learners prefer the use of images, maps, and graphic organizers to access
and understand new information.
Auditory

Auditory learners best understand new content through listening and speaking in
situations such as lectures and group discussions. Aural learners use repetition as a
study technique and benefit from the use of mnemonic devices.

Read & Write

Students with a strong reading/writing preference learn best through words. These
students may present themselves as copious note takers or avid readers, and are
able to translate abstract concepts into words and essays.
Kinesthetic

Students who are kinesthetic learners best understand information through tactile
representations of information. These students are hands-on learners and learn best
through figuring things out by hand (i.e. understanding how a clock works by
putting one together).

By understanding what kind of learner you and/or your students are, you can now
gain a better perspective on how to implement these learning styles into your
lesson plans and study techniques.
The term “learning styles” speaks to the understanding that every student learns
differently. Technically, an individual’s learning style refers to the preferential way
in which the student absorbs, processes, comprehends and retains information. For
example, when learning how to build a clock, some students understand the
process by following verbal instructions, while others have to physically
manipulate the clock themselves. This notion of individualized learning styles has
gained widespread recognition in education theory and classroom management
strategy. Individual learning styles depend on cognitive, emotional and
environmental factors, as well as one’s prior experience. In other words:
everyone’s different. It is important for educators to understand the differences in
their students’ learning styles, so that they can implement best practice strategies
into their daily activities, curriculum and assessments. Many degree programs,
specifically higher level ones like a doctorate of education, integrate different
learning styles and educational obstacles directly into program curriculum.

Swot Strategies

Referred to as SWOT (“Study Without Tears”), Flemings provides advice on how


students can use their learning modalities and skills to their advantage when
studying for an upcoming test or assignment.

Visual SWOT Strategies

 Utilize graphic organizers such as charts, graphs, and diagrams.


 Redraw your pages from memory.
 Replace important words with symbols or initials.
 Highlight important key terms in corresponding colors.

Aural SWOT Strategies

 Record your summarized notes and listen to them on tape.


 Talk it out. Have a discussion with others to expand upon your understanding of
a topic.
 Reread your notes and/or assignment out loud.
 Explain your notes to your peers/fellow “aural” learners.

Read/Write SWOT Strategies


 Write, write and rewrite your words and notes.
 Reword main ideas and principles to gain a deeper understanding.
 Organize diagrams, charts, and graphic organizers into statements.

Kinesthetic SWOT Strategies

 Use real life examples, applications and case studies in your summary to help
with abstract concepts.
 Redo lab experiments or projects.
 Utilize pictures and photographs that illustrate your idea.

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