Learning Styles (2024)

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UnderstandingVARK

Learning styles are crucial in education, and understanding them can come with great benefits. Various types of learning styles exist. One widely referenced student learning model is educational theorist Neil Fleming’s VARK model.

The VARK acronym refers to four types of learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing preference, and kinesthetic. The VARK model recognizes the diverse ways in which students absorb and process information, commonly referred to as “preferred learning modes.” 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. Learning styles also take into account various methods of understanding and retaining information.


Teaching professionals often rely on the categories of the VARK model to help tailor their teaching strategies, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience for students. Some instructors may exclude reading/writing as a category of preferential learning, and build their curriculum around the remaining learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (VAK).

The main ideas of VARK (PDF, 123 KB) are as follows:

  • Students’ preferred learning modes have a 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.

Sometimes, teachers may find that a combination of all the sensory modalities may be the best option for their classroom. However, allowing students to access information in terms they are comfortable with can increase their academic confidence.

Auditory

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

Read and 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 when figuring things out by hand.

The 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 the curriculum.

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SWOT strategies

Referred to as SWOT (“study without tears”), Fleming 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.
  • Recreate your notes from memory.
  • Replace important words with symbols or initials.
  • Highlight key terms in corresponding colors.

Aural SWOT strategies

  • Record your summarized notes and listen to them.
  • Have a discussion with others to expand upon your understanding of a topic.
  • Reread your notes or assignment out loud.
  • Explain your notes to your peers or fellow aural learners.

Read/write SWOT strategies

  • Write and rewrite your 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.

How do you learn best? Complete Fleming’sVARK Questionnaireto find out what kind of learner you are.

READ MORE:Teaching Methods

Last updated January 2024

Learning Styles (2024)

FAQs

Learning Styles? ›

The VARK acronym refers to four types of learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing preference, and kinesthetic.

What are the 4 main learning styles? ›

There are 4 predominant learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic. While most of us may have some general idea about how we learn best, often it comes as a surprise when we discover what our predominant learning style is.

What are your top 3 types of learning styles? ›

There are three main cognitive learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

What is an example of a learning style? ›

Auditory learning style – this means you learn by hearing and listening. Acquire knowledge by reading aloud • Hum and/or talk to yourself • Make comments like: ➢ “I hear you clearly.” ➢ “I'm wanting you to listen.” ➢ “This sounds good.” Kinesthetic learning style – this means you learn by touching and doing.

What are learning styles and why are they important? ›

Learning styles are essential in eLearning. It is necessary because understanding and recognizing them can improve the quality of the learning process. Learning styles are individual preferences to learn. It is how learners receive, perceive, understand, express, memorize and recall new knowledge.

What learning style is most effective? ›

Is there a single best learning style for all students? No, there is no single best learning style for all students. Every individual has a unique learning method that suits them best. It's essential to explore different learning styles and determine which one works most effectively for each student.

What are the 2 most common learning styles? ›

Visual learners prefer the use of images, maps, and graphic organizers to access and understand new information. Auditory learners best understand new content through listening and speaking, especially in situations like lectures and group discussions.

What are the 3 cognitive learning styles? ›

There are three primary types of learning styles, as defined by teacher Neil Fleming: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Most people learn best through one or two of these methods, but there are ways to use all three learning styles to your advantage.

What are the three basic forms of learning? ›

There are three main types of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. Both classical and operant conditioning are forms of associative learning where associations are made between events that occur together.

Which learning style is most common? ›

1. Visual Learners. The most common learning style is visual, which is why the workflow process examples you'll see in good e-learning software includes so many careful visual cues. Visual learning is a natural fit for online learning, which is so often done with video lectures.

What are the 5 methods of teaching? ›

Teaching Methods
Teaching ApproachTeaching Method
Teacher-CenteredJust-in-Time Teaching
Student-CenteredInteractive Lecture
Experiential Learning
Case-based Learning
9 more rows

What are learning style strengths? ›

Learning strengths combine talents and abilities with existing skills and knowledge to help kids take in new information. These strengths are ways of thinking, feeling, or acting that can be used effectively. For instance, one child may naturally understand how other people are feeling.

What is a logical learning style? ›

Logical learners succeed by using order, steps, and logic. These learners can make connections and recognize patterns with ease, and work well with numbers. They have a very systematic approach to learning and are excellent at keeping organized.

How can learners find out their learning styles? ›

  1. Visual. If you forgot what was said in class, but clearly remember the pictures or videos used, you could be a visual learner. ...
  2. Auditory. Being an auditory learner means you learn better by listening to others. ...
  3. Reading/Writing. If you enjoy making notes and reading, then this could be your ideal learning style. ...
  4. Kinesthetic.
Jun 3, 2022

How can I combine learning styles for better outcomes? ›

Mix it up: Combine visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches in your learning activities to engage different senses and enhance understanding. Create mind maps: Use visual diagrams or mind maps to connect and organize information, facilitating comprehension and recall.

What is the learning strategy? ›

Learning strategies are operations and actions that students use in order to optimize the processes of obtaining and storing information and course concepts. The ultimate goal of these strategies is that students are able to extract this information from memory in order to apply it.

What are the major types of learning? ›

differentiates between 4 types: Learning type 1: auditive learning (“by listening and speaking“), Learning type 2: visual learning (“through the eyes, by watching”), • Learning type 3: haptic learning (“by touching and feeling”), • Learning type 4: learning through the intellect.

Do you understand the 4 learning styles in the workplace? ›

Visual learners respond well to graphics and videos. Auditory learners do best when listening to content. Reading-focused learners excel with text-based information, be it through reading or writing. Kinesthetic learners use their senses to learn via hands-on experiences.

Who proposed the 4 learning styles? ›

Kolb identified four different learning preferences, or learning styles, after observing the cycle of learning. He identified learning styles as “habitual ways of responding to a learning environment.” How students react to specific stages in the learning cycle helps identify their learning style.

What's the most common learning style? ›

1. Visual Learners. The most common learning style is visual, which is why the workflow process examples you'll see in good e-learning software includes so many careful visual cues. Visual learning is a natural fit for online learning, which is so often done with video lectures.

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