Kinesthetic Learner 2 There are four parts to the VARK Learning Styles. They consist of visual, aural, kinesthetic, and multimodal. The author was identified to be a kinesthetic learner. In the early years of school, a kinesthetic learner is thought to be a behavior problem due to the fact that it is hard for them to stay in one place for very long. A kinesthetic learner learns best by using all of their senses. For example to keep the attention of a kinesthetic learner it is important for them to hold the object they are studying about in their hand, smell it, and look at it while listening to someone describe it or lecture about it. It is helpful to scan the information first when reading and highlight with different colored highlighters. Colored pens are good to use when taking notes during a lecture (Farwell, 2012). It is important to take frequent breaks, to move around and give your brain a rest. The kinesthetic learner also enjoys a science lab, or field trip. They are also known to have excellent hand-eye coordination and fast reactions. They are known to be good at experiments (Vark, 2001). The author prefers colored pens, and highlighters to take notes with during a lecture. It is also hard to stay focused for long periods of time while studying or listening to a lecture. Taking a break is required to refocus. Making flash cards is another useful tool that the author uses to review test information over and over. In nursing school, the author was having trouble learning about the flow of the blood through the heart. She found it extremely helpful to buy a large model heart and hold it, and take it a part to see the chambers and valves. This turned out to be such a great learning tool, for the author that many models were purchased to aide in study. The favorite class of the author was the lab portion of microbiology and anatomy and physiology. Kinesthetic Learner 3 In comparing the preferred learning strategies to the author and those of the kinesthetic learner there are extreme similarities. Both the author and the kinesthetic learner use colored pens and highlighters when taking notes or reading. They both use a hand on approach using all of their senses to learn, through models or other hands on activities. Just as the kinesthetic learner, it is also difficult for the author to sit still and focus for long periods of time. It also shows that they both benefit from frequent breaks while studying. Doing good in the science labs are another same quality of both the author and the kinesthetic learner. Making flash cards to review information is another similarity. Being an effective teacher is not always easy. In order to keep the attention of a kinesthetic learner while teaching it is important to allow frequent breaks. Using a power point can be a good learning tool. Allowing the students to take notes, and assist by giving them key points for their notes will help the kinesthetic learner. If the kinesthetic learner is informed ahead of time about what the lecture is going to be about, he or she would benefit from skimming over the chapters before the lecture. If you are able to give frequent examples or perform a skit about your lecture, this would greatly keep the attention of the kinesthetic learner. If you are lecturing about lungs or the heart, you can show a diagram or have a model to pass around the class for the kinesthetic learners. By being aware and knowing how to keep the attention of a kinesthetic learner while teaching your students will retain more information. You will be a more successful teacher. You will also in turn have fewer distractions from the students during your classes or lectures (Hutton, 2013).

Kinesthetic Learner 4 If you yourself are a kinesthetic learner, you can prepare yourself for lectures to help yourself be a more productive learner. You cannot only rely on the teacher to teach you. You must take responsibility to aide in your own learning. Prepare yourself for a long lecture by bringing a squish ball to squeeze to keep your mind focused. What ever your learning style might be, it is important to recognize what you are and identify in what ways you learn best and use those ways. By identifying your most productive ways to learn, you will maximize your learning abilities and retain more information in less time. Your grades will also improve.

References

Farwell, T. (2012). About Kinesthetic Learners. Retrieved from: http://school.familyeducation.com/intelligence/teaching-methods/38521.html?detoured=1

Hutton, S. (2013). Helping Kinesthetic Learners Succeed. Retrieved from: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/kinesthetic_learner/

Vark, (2001). Kinesthetic Study Strategies. http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=kinestheticprint