The VARK Analysis Paper
Maureen O. Omoaghe
Grand Canyon University: NRS-429V
November 3rd , 2013

The VARK learning style assessment is a questionnaire that was designed by Neil Fleming in 1987. It provides those who take the test with an idea of what learning style they have. There are four scores that can give a person up to five study strategies: multimodal, visual, aural, reading and writing and kinesthetic. (Fleming, 2011). The learning style can also help students develop, explore, and advance their learning strength. After taking the assessment, the writer’s strength was recognized by the score which is 10 on the reading and writing learning style.
The reading and writing learning style make up 65% of the population (Acc.ccconline.org, N.D). Leaners who use the read/write learning style are good observers, they like to see and observe things to aid with learning, examples are pictures, diagrams and demonstrations, they also like to take notes while learning and rehearse it over and over again to reinforce learning. They comprehend better with written words, drawing and written instructions. The read /write learning style incorporates visual approaches to writing by using different highlighters to categorize and connect different thoughts. They also highlight headings in a book for easy remembrance. He/she also can list out important points from a book while reading, search for the correct spelling of words from a dictionary or the internet for accuracy, use handouts and textbooks for easy learning and also uses glossaries to identify and explain difficult or unusual words and expressions used in the text of a book. According to Fleming, meaning is found in words; therefore the student with a read/write learning preference should search for words that describe the meaning of a concept by breaking the concept into conceptual points. (Fleming, 2011).
Another identified strategy by the assessment is the aural learning style which had the next highest score of 3. Unlike the read/write learning style that focuses more on visuals for learning, the aural learner excels in his/her learning by listening. They possess highly developed auditory skills and are generally good at speaking and presenting. They can learn best through verbal lectures, record a lecture by the use of a tape recorder or podcast and listen to it over and over again to have a better understanding. They can also create a lecture into a song. One good example is the fifth grade class at the Harmony Science Academy in Richardson, Dallas Texas who learned the states and capitals of the United State of America by listening to a song composed by song writer and singer, Renald Francouer from YouTube, an internet website. (Francouer, 2013). The aural learner learns best through discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say, they also excel through oral exams, story- telling, solving difficult problems and working in groups. They also tend to read out loud to help to remember information better.
Third is the kinesthetic learner who learns through moving, doing and touching. A good example would be a student with ADHD, they express themselves more through movement, they also possess a good sense of balance and eye-hand coordination, the kinesthetic learners tend to remember and process information through interacting with the space around them, they sometimes find it hard to sit still for long periods of time, and may become easily distracted by their need for activity and exploration. They can demonstrate skills by using physical coordination, athletic ability, and hands- on experiments. They are very creative and do engage in acting, miming, dancing, and express emotions through the body. (James Cook University, 2013.). The kinesthetic learners are good at applied activities such as painting, cooking mechanics sports and wooding.
On comparing the three identified preferred strategies for a preferred learning style, it is important to note that the read/write style is the best fit to enhance learning since it accounts for 65% of the population. For a more productive and well-rounded learning, reading and writing when incorporated fully, can lead to academic excellence.
In conclusion, The “VARK questionnaire tries to encourage respondents to reflect and answer from within their experience rather than from hypothetical situations” (Fleming, Amp & Baum 2006).

References

Acc.ccconline.org, (n.d) Teaching Resources-Learning Style-VAK/VARK model. Retrieved November 3, 2013 from http://www.acc.ccconline.org/wiki/Teaching_Resources_-_Learning_Styles_-_VAK/VARK_Model

Fleming, N. (2011). Read/Write study strategies. Retrieved May 6, 2012, from VARK: a guide to learning styles:http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=read/write

Marbles the Brain Store (2012, June 29) Tour the States-Official Music Video (Video File). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E2CNZIlVIg

The VARK Questionnaire Results

Your scores were:

Visual: 3
Aural: 1
Read/Write: 9
Kinesthetic: 2
You have a very strong Read/Write learning preference.