Analyzing and Evaluating Learning Style Models.
The VARK Learning Model.
Introduction.
Learning is a continuous process in human life. The way people learn varies from one to another. It is thus essential that people note the learning style that best suits them. It is in this respect that many theorists developed theories that describe various learning styles. Among them are the Visual, Auditory, Reading and Writing, and Kinesthetic (VARK) theory. The VARK tool allows individuals to note a learning style that is best suited for them for which they are bound to using throughout the academic life.
Theory and theorists.
The VARK is a theory that aims at analyzing different styles of learning as adopted by students in learning institutions. The three main aspects of focus in developing this theory were based on information access, synthesis and retaining it. Charles Bonwell and Neil Fleming are the theorists linked to the VARK model (Graves & McDavid, 2014). The model provides four key modalities that assist students in selecting their most preferred style. With this, the learners are also categorized into four distinct groups. According to the theory, Visual learners understand best when visual aids are used. Flow-charts, pictures, diagrams and graphs are their most preferred way to deliver content. With these aspects that they can see the actual images, then they tend to grasp more and better. In addition to that, visual learners also prefer getting information presented to them through demonstrations, like in videos. Drawing figures and maps, and outlining is the visual learner’s way of taking notes. When sitting an exam, these learners most visualize the answer in their mind before writing them down.
The second class of learners are auditory learners. Those that fall in this category like listening and getting first-hand information as it is being presented to them. They’d prefer attending classes and listening to the lecturers as opposed to getting that information from another source. Discussion groups also work well for this category of learners as it enables them to grasp the content even better (Fleming, 2011). In other cases, some of the students who fall in this category, take the trouble of explaining a concept to other students for them to be able to understand it better too. During t exams periods, these students are capable of recalling their lecturer’s voice as they try to remember the points that were given on a particular idea.
The third learning style for the students is what is referred to as reading and writing. Writing down notes as the student is going through specific text is what dominates this style of concept grasping. The students herein are forced to take elaborate notes during discussions and the normal lectures. These learners also utilize textbook margins in noting down short points for further reference during revision work.
The last category is the kinesthetic learning style. This is a practical based approach to learning. Learners associated with this style of learning prefer being practical demonstrations for them to understand a topic better. For them, grasping an idea that was already done by someone else and then presented to them is hard. They tend to get the whole concept better when it’s a hands-on business by them. As a part of memorizing, they tend to set their questions and attempt them as opposed to only dealing with those provided at the end of the topic. On the other hand, they also do well in group discussions. This category of students can be said to be more practical as opposed to being theoretical.
Results.
Results from the testing of this model indicated that most students are multimodal learners. This is where they employ more than one style to be able to carry out their studies effectively. They could have a form they prefer but because of the requirements of what they do in school, be forced to take up an additional style to effectively carry out the tasks before them (Prithishkumar & Michael, 2014). For instance, a multimodal student may prefer both reading and writing as well as visual inclinations. This would thus imply that the student takes down notes while in class while also focuses on using charts, diagrams and demonstrations. A similar thing happens to those that may prefer both auditory and kinesthetic.
Use in an educational setting.
In any learning institution, individuals must be adequately understood with the learning styles that best suits them. Having this understanding helps in providing the students with what they prefer the most; hence they will be able to learn more efficiently and effectively, through doing that they will also retain as much information as possible. This does not happen yet until a VARK analysis is done to enable the students to know their most preferred styles (Fleming, 2011). Without the analysis, students could be inefficiently using the technique.
These models could be effectively used in learning institutions to boost student performance. For instance, in science-oriented institutions, kinesthetic learning style would be the best if adopted. This is because most scientists are said to be hands-on people. Practical’s would work better in such an environment. Under normal conditions, practicals would also be used to help the students grasp better. Visual learning is also critical in any educational setting. Learners who use this style never lack anywhere. Sticking charts and diagrams on classroom walls will serve the purpose. In other cases, the students would also be encouraged to learn to transform content into flow charts they can interpret and understand better.
References.
Graves, R. S., & McDavid, S. R. (2014). Introduction to Learning Theories. Curriculum-Based Library Instruction: From Cultivating Faculty Relationships to Assessment, 25.
Prithishkumar, I. J., & Michael, S. A. (2014). Understanding your student: using the VARK model. Journal of postgraduate medicine, 60(2), 183.
Fleming, N. D. (2011). Teaching and learning styles: VARK strategies. IGI global.