Overview of VARK Learning Styles

Overview of VARK Learning Styles Theories Cognitive Psychology Print Overview of VARK Learning Styles Which Learning Style Do You Have? By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD on November 27, 2019 linkedin Aron Janssen, MD is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and is the vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry Northwestern University.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Aron Janssen, MD on November 27, 2019 Sam Edwards / Getty Images More in Theories Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology In This Article Table of Contents Expand VARK Learning Styles Visual Auditory Text Kinesthetic Why It Matters View All Back To Top Learning styles are a popular concept in psychology and education and are intended to identify how people learn best. The VARK model of learning styles suggests that there are four main types of learners. These four key types are: Visual learnersAuditory learnersReading/writing learnersKinesthetic learners It has long been a question as to whether students learn best when teaching methods and school activities match their learning style, learning strengths, and preferences. The popularity of this concept grew dramatically during the 1970s and 1980s, despite the evidence suggesting that personal learning preferences have little to no actual influence on learning results. While the existing research has found that matching teaching methods to learning styles has no influence on educational outcomes, the concept of learning styles remains extremely popular. VARK Learning Styles There are many different ways of categorizing learning styles including Kolbs model and the Jungian learning styles.  Neil Flemings VARK model is one of the most popular representations. In 1987, Fleming developed an inventory designed to help students and others learn more about their individual learning preferences. In Flemings model, which are often referred to as VARK learning styles, learners are identified by whether they have a preference for visual learning (pictures, movies, diagrams), auditory learning (music, discussion, lectures), reading and writing (making lists, reading textbooks, taking notes), or kinesthetic learning (movement, experiments, hands-on activities). What Are the Kolb Learning Styles? What Type of Learner Are You? In order to identify which type of learner people are, Fleming developed a self-report inventory that posed a series of situations. Respondents select the answers that best match their preferred approach to learning. Example Imagine that you are learning how to perform a new physical skill such as riding a bike or dancing a certain style of dance. In which way would you learn this skill the best?Looking at pictures of people performing the skillListening to an expert explain how to do the taskReading about how to perform the task in a bookWatching someone else perform the skill and then trying it yourself If you chose number one, then you might be a visual learner. If you would rather listen to someone explain how to do the task, then you might be an auditory learner. Those who would prefer to read written instructions are likely reading/writing learners, while those who would rather gain hands-on experience are most likely kinesthetic learners. Take a closer look at what each of the VARK learning styles entails. Visual Learners Visual learners learn best by seeing. Graphic displays such as charts, diagrams, illustrations, handouts, and videos are all helpful learning tools for visual learners. Visual learners prefer this type of learning would rather see information presented in a visual rather than in written form. If you think you might be a visual learner, answer the following questions: Do you have to see information in order to remember it?Do you pay close attention to body language?Are art, beauty, and aesthetics important to you?Does visualizing information in your mind help you remember it better? If you can answer yes to most of these questions, chances are good that you have a visual learning style. Aural Learners Aural (or auditory) learners learn best by hearing information. They tend to get a great deal out of lectures and are good at remembering things they are told. Are you an auditory learner? Consider the following questions: Do you prefer to listen to class lectures rather than reading from the textbook?Does reading out loud help you remember information better?Would you prefer to listen to a recording of your class lectures or a podcast rather than going over your class notes?Do you create songs to help remember information? If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you are probably an auditory learner. Reading and Writing Learners Reading and writing learners prefer to take in information displayed as words and text. Reading/writing learners prefer materials that are primarily text-based. Could you be a reading and writing learner? Read through the following questions and think about whether they might apply to you. Do you find reading your textbook to be a great way to learn new information?Do you take a lot of notes during class and while reading textbooks?Do you enjoy making lists, reading definitions, and creating presentations?Do you prefer it when teachers make use of overheads and handouts? If you answered yes to these questions, it is likely that you have a strong preference for the reading and writing style of learning. Kinesthetic Learners Kinesthetic (or tactile) learners learn best by touching and doing. Hands-on experience is important to kinesthetic learners. Not sure if youre a kinesthetic learner? Answer these questions to find out: Do you enjoy performing tasks that involve directly manipulating objects and materials?Is it difficult for you to sit still for long periods of time?Are you good at applied activities such as painting, cooking, mechanics, sports, and woodworking?Do you have to actually practice doing something in order to learn it? If you responded yes to these questions, then you are most likely a kinesthetic learner. What Is the Kinesthetic Learning Style? Why It Matters The validity of the VARK model as well as other learning style theories has been questioned and criticized extensively. One large-scale look at learning style models suggested that the instruments designed to assess individual learning styles were questionable. Some critics have suggested that labeling students as having one specific learning style can actually be a hindrance to learning. Despite the criticism and lack of empirical support, the VARK model remains fairly popular among both students and educators. Many students immediately recognize that they are drawn to a particular learning style. Others may find that their learning preferences lie somewhere in the middle. For example, a student might feel that both visual and auditory learning are equally appealing. While aligning teaching strategies to learning styles may or may not be effective, students might find that understanding their own learning preferences can be helpful. For example, if you know that visual learning appeals to you most, using visual study strategies in conjunction with other learning methods might help you better remember the information you are studyingâ€"or at the very least make studying more enjoyable. If no single learning preference calls out to you or you change preferences based on the situation or the type of information you are learning, you probably have what is known as a multimodal style. For example, you might rely on your reading and writing preferences when you are dealing with a class that requires a great deal of book reading and note-taking, such as a history of psychology course. During an art class, you might depend more on your visual and kinesthetic preferences as you take in pictorial information and learn new techniques. How to Become a More Effective Learner