VAK learning style

Now that the discussions about the Kolb learning cycle and the Honey and Mumford Learning cycle this blog emphasizes on the VAK learning style introduced by Neil Fleming.

Neil Fleming introduced the “VAK Learning styles” which describes another method of how learners absorb the information and process (Cherry,2019). VAK is an acronym for Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic. These styles use the main sensors in human body to gather information. Shreenidhi and Chinyi (2017) state that ‘People commonly have a preferred learning style which may be a blend of all three senses. Some people have a very strong preference while others have an even mixture of two or three styles. When an individual knows his or her preferred learning style(s), he or she is able to understand the type of learning that best suits him/her. This enables him/her to choose the types of learning that work best’. What can be understood from this is that people tend to blend all 3 learning styles where one style can have a stronger influence or all the blended styles have equally shared properties.

The face that users tend to blend the 3 styles as they prefer to get the best outcome is also explained by Fayombo (2015) and states that learners with a blend of learning styles from the 3 mediums in VAK are the ones who achieves the highest achievements in their learning programmes. Hence, he further iterates that it is important for the trainer to identify the significant learning styles of the learners at the beginning of the training programme and to compose his training accordingly.

The 3 styles of learning which are Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic are given below.

(Whitfield,2019)

 

Vissual 

a visually dominant learner picks up and retains information more quickly when they are presented with the knowledge visually. They engage more when presented with pictures, diagrams, charts and visual aids.(eln.io) Shreenidhi and Chinyi (2017) also precent a couple of ways that the visual learner may learn.

• Sits in the front rows of the classroom so they can clearly see the trainer an board so they can copy what’s there easily.

• Use mind-mapping to remember vast details

• Use highlighters, videos to study

• Scores well in essays, mapping, describing processes

 

Auditory 

an auditory dominant learner is better at picking up and retaining information by listening to it. (eln.io) Shreenidhi and Chinyi (2017) also present a couple of ways that auditory learner may learn     

• Eagerly take part in discussions and ask questions

• Repetition and read out loud

• Put information into mnemonics to remember information.

• Scores well in writing, questions in lectures and oral examinations

 

Kinesthetic 

For a kinesthetic learner, they would prefer learning new information and skills by either physically interacting with the object, or physically testing out new information (eln.io) Shreenidhi and Chinyi (2017) also present a couple of ways that Kinesthetic learner may learn            

• Practice techniques

• Participates in hands-on activities and simulations

• Scores well in MCQs and fill in the blanks         

 

Vaishnav (2013), upon his research says that is important to an organisation that the training conducted for the employees should be compiled in a way that the group of learners will have the maximum absorption out of it. Hence, understanding the preferred learning style among the learner group is important to reap high productivity from the training program. For example, when training is conducted at the Srilankan Airlines technical training instate a mix of of all these styles is used. While classroom studies are conducted as normal charts and videos are used to explain certain things. Practical hands on activities are also a huge part of the training course. (srilankanaviationcollege.com)

 

References

 

Cherry, K. (2019) Overview of VARK Learning Styles- Which Learning Style Do You Have? Very well mind [Online]. Available at <https://www.verywellmind.com/vark-learning-styles-2795156>, [Accessed on 1^st May 1, 2020]

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(eln.io) VAK LEARNING STYLES; A MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING PREFERENCES [online] < www.eln.io/blog/vak-learning-styles-model > [ Accessed on 1st May 1, 2020].

 

Fayombo, G. (2015) Learning Styles, Teaching Strategies and Academic Achievement among some Psychology Undergraduates in Barbados, Caribbean Educational Research Journal, 3(2), pp. 46-61.

 

Sreenidhi, S. K., Chinyi, H. T.(2017) Styles of Learning Based on the Research of Fernald, Keller, Orton, Gillingham, Stillman, Montessori and Neil D Fleming, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, 3(4), pp. 17-25.

 

SriLankan Aviation College (SLAC) (2018) EASA Part 66 B1.1 – Basic Course in Aircraft Maintenance [Online]. Available at:<http://srilankanaviationcollege.com/what-we-offer/Course/EASA-Part-66-B1> [22nd April 2020]

Whitefield. G. (2019) Upon this rock I will build my Instructional Design, GP Strategies [Online]. Available at https://www.gpstrategiesltd.com/learning-lab/upon-this-rock_5.shtml . [Accessed on 15 September 2019].