THE VARK QUESTIONNAIRE: HOW DO I LEARN BEST

THE VARK QUESTIONNAIRE: HOW DO I LEARN BEST

Every person has different learning styles and strategies.  Most of the people have preferred learning by use of visual learning the most appropriate suite, while some support the aural way of learning as their best approach. VARK defines the multimodal strategies in a manner that it combines the fours modes that involve the Visual, kinesthetic, and read/write (Baykan & Naçar 2007, p.160). Aural mode draws its focus on the attending classes on day to day events with the involvement of high interactive discussions with the group and classrooms through the application of the new ideas and topics. (Grenfell, & Harris 2015, p.576) Visual mode supplies the used of the graphical representation to create a better understanding of learning.  As defined by the word, Read/write is entails writing of the essays, narrowing down the complex wording into more simple defined words with the use of the dictionaries and the glossaries as well application of book study to have ab better-comprehended subject teaching (Fleming, 2009). Finally, the kinesthetic mode outlines that the students have the ability for understanding and learning of materials in a better way if they have the physical activities such the hands-on practices unlike when the only listen to the lecturers or when they are demonstrated on an issue or experiment. (Saga, Qamar, & Trail 2015p.706).

Thus, concerning my learning style, application, and strategies differ on its uses by different student’s second terms regarding some certain learning goals and subjects. For example, in a biology class, to have a full understanding of how photosynthesis takes place, one needs to listen to the teacher and write clear notes carefully.  Effective completion and understanding requires them to have basis on the topic explanation through the use of diagrammatic explanation. When the student applies the hands-on practices, it becomes easier for them to have a more clear understanding of the topic as well. It helps them to keep the learnt knowledge for a very long period. In the case of the most confusing subject, with the use of the graphic charts, and reading and writing are among the most appropriate and more frequently apply learning strategies.  The list below outlines some of the most preferred learning strategies:

• Repetitions
• Group discussions Engagement
• Notes are writing and paying attention to the lectures.
• Watching and analyzing youtube videos
• Having discussions, with other course mates.
• Research on the on the online true/false questions for practice.
• Having in-depth research on some specific kinds of topics.

When having a comparison between the VARK identified strategies to my preferred learning strategies results, there are multiple strategies given that they find to be never applied in my current preferred styles. In the context of comparing visual strategies, the visual approach suggests in the observing instructor’s gestures and picturesque languages and various colors, textbook highlighters which composes the diagram and the pictures graphical symbols. However, I have never applied these learning strategies in my school time.  Thus, my best practice includes videos and slides. They are so significant in the studying and understanding the applied materials, especially in classes and taking part in the class discussions.   In the application of the aural strategies, one is instructed to use tape recording to record the teacher’s written notes. The students can apply the practices of self-imagining for the explanation and description of the topics to other as if there is a group of audience listens to you.  Am yet to apply those strategies in my learning strategies (Fleming, 2009)

Individuals’ awareness learning styles, strategies, and preferences play a vital role in enhancing the best factor that enables learners to achieve the best outcomes for learning and teaching whether it’s for the students and teachers. Applying and teaching of the appropriate effective learning strategies stand the best tool for instructors to use in conveying the subject knowledge that they teach to the learners in the best precise and clear way. It ensures that on completion, there are no confusions left in the class and any course taken (Grenfell, & Harris 2015, p.576).  Marry Clement observes that student easily learn when the rationale for what they learn is provided and when they have a clear and in-depth understanding why the teacher has preferred to apply certain methods of instructions and learning activities.

Additionally, the article observes that effective teaching strategies applied depends on the effectiveness of the information’s or the taught skills and also may influence the learning stories enthusiasms, skills, and attitudes of the students (Grenfell, & Harris 2015, p.576).  For instance, in a math class, the teacher might clarify on the algebra concept in a way that it would be so enough for the student to have topic compressions let alone algebra questions solving. At least this would drive the need for the visual, discussions and graphics.

Similarly, effective learning among the learners or students should apply the most effective learning styles so that students can easily comprehend with the taught learning style. Example, in the case the students do not have a clear understanding of the taught subjects, they need to discuss in the classroom either with his/her fellow course mate or the instructor. Furthermore, they can make use of the books, tutorials on YouTube, and any other related tools that will make it easier for them to understand.

Referencies

Baykan, Z., & Naçar, M. (2007). Learning styles of first-year medical students attending Erciyes University in Kayseri, Turkey. Advances in physiology education, 31(2), 158-160.

Clement, M. (2014, Nov 21). Six Things That Make College Teachers Successful. Faculty Focused.

Fleming, G. (2009). Learning styles. Retrieved January, 28.

Grenfell, M., & Harris, V. (2015). Learning a third language: what learner strategies do bilingual students bring?. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 47(4), 553-576.

Saga, Z., Qamar, K., & Trali, G. (2015). Learning styles-understanding for learning strategies. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, (5), 706.