VARK Analysis Paper
Grand Canyon University
Family-Centered Health Promotion
NRS-429V

February 12, 2015 VARK Analysis Paper
Learning styles do not dictate a person’s intelligence or their abilities to learn; instead it explains why some learner’s process information acquired differently than others. How a student retains knowledge depends on how that learner comprehends and process the information. VARK learning analysis quiz and learning style is a study to determine one’s learning style. VARK is an acronym for visual learning style, auditory learning style, reading/writing learning style and kinesthetic learning style. This paper discuses all the different learning styles but focuses on the Kinesthetic learning style and strategies that may offer an easier way to retain and enjoy any learning experience
After taking the VARK learning analysis quiz it was determined that this authors learning style is more kinesthetic with a score of 14. “Kinesthetic learning is a learning style in which learning takes place by the students carrying out physical activities, rather than listening to a lecture or watching demonstrations,”("Kinesthetic learning," 2010, para. 1). Kinesthetic intelligence makes up about five percent of the population and was originally coupled with having tactile abilities or using the body to do something. According to the theory of learning styles, termed as “discovery learners”, kinesthetic learners struggle with reading or listening and have realization through doing rather than thinking before initiating an action.("Kinesthetic learning," 2010, para. 4) Using research of kinesthetic learning styles in comparison to personal experience some techniques that have been useful for learning or absorbing new information have been role-playing, either singularly or with others, to practice new behaviors or skills. The use of touching using both skin and muscle or observing physical objects like in a lab setting opposed to sitting in a class listening to lecture. The use of drawing large diagrams is also physical activities along with breathing exercises to stay calm to remain centered and in control of the physical state. Staying calm can be especially important to this author because being in a classroom setting can be quite stressful when there are no visual aids to resort to and making great notes are sometimes the only resource. Kinesthetic learners do well with real experiences when they are using all five senses and anything that is physical. “The more senses you can involve in learning, the better you will remember it.”(Nelson, 2013, para. 3). This author also likes taking things apart and putting them back together to fully understand how some things work.
As an educator it is important to have an understanding of the different learning styles and what techniques work best with who is the learner. With each individual, what may be conceivable to one may not be to another in regards to learning a new task or lesson. For instance using visual aids like graphs, flow charts, pictures, taking notes or maps are some of the things that are useful for the visual learner. Visual learners need to see what they are learning in order to absorb new information. To address this type of learner an educator should provide lots of visual stimuli. ("Examples of learning styles," “n.d.”, para. 2) Aural learners are those who do well sitting in a classroom setting listening to a lecture. They thrive hearing spoken word and using resources like speaking aloud, books on tape, group discussions or even listening to the radio. Aural learners do well with recording their lecture and listening to it again. If an educator writes the new information down they should also read it aloud for this learner to absorb the information. Also there is the read/write learner whom learns best through words. Using information such as handouts, test books and taking notes and is considered to be the more traditional style of learning. As mentioned before the kinesthetic learner does well when there is personal involvement, movement and tactile stimuli involved. This learner thrives in an environment when there is active participation involved.
Regardless of what type of learner you may be, utilizing tools like the VARK learning assessment tool, can be very useful for an educator and also understanding what helps you thrive in any learning environment and offer components that can enhance your personal learning experience so that the ultimate level of success can be achieved. Understanding the different type of learners, according to the VARK learning system, and having a more diversified teaching strategy, every type of learner will get the full benefit out of a lesson or new learned behavior because it is imperative to ensure everyone in a learning environment receives the same opportunities of succeeding in life. References
Examples of Diverse Learning Styles. (“n.d.”). Retrieved from www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/79153-examples-of-diverse-learning-styles/
Kinesthetic learning. (2010). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesthetic_learning
Nelson, P. (2013). Kinesthetic Learning Style. Retrieved from http://www.uvu.edu/learningstrategies/styles/kinesthetic.html