VARK Examination Shows Higher Preference to Kinesthetic

¶ … VARK examination shows higher preference to kinesthetic strategies with a score of six while all the others scored the same with a score of five. Kinesthetic approaches include learning with the sense, using examples, use of practical exercises, use of cases, and pure trial and error. From the VARK website, it explains the learning preference describes learning through experiences not just on screens or in pictures. It demands for a more hands-on type of experience. These kinds of learners are also better equipped to study practical application vs. theory. Some people can learn well from theory alone, and although the other strategies derived from the results scored slightly under from kinesthetic, it shows that hands-on experience develops better memory and retention at least for those that score highest on that section.

The preferred learning style for one who scores like this involves actual experience in whatever one learns and supplemental information derived from reading and diagrams or visual learning. Diagrams provide an excellent way to view what is learned. It also helps organize everything. Text derived from reading and writing helps express thoughts clearly and exercise theory and concepts in an efficient format. That is however, if the text is concise and well worded. Sometimes concepts are discussed in a way that decrease understanding and mental absorption. That is why use of keywords and often different colored, different sized texts, and perhaps use of an outline, can help those wishing to use text for learning. Kinesthetic learning examples are field trips, and experiments. "A kinesthetic learner has a strong drive to explore material through doing and to move periodically. For both of these reasons, they can thrive in classes that involve activity, such as those that include laboratory experiments, role playing and field trips" (Kinestheticlearningstrategies.com, 2015).

When comparing kinesthetic learning to visual and read/write strategies people often cite differences based on application and theory. Those with higher visual preference can visualize things better and learn faster by viewing pictures and diagrams. The same is said from read/write. Kinesthetic often involves all the senses and viewing a host of processes. For instance, learning how to ride a bike. A person wishing to learn via kinesthetic strategies would have to ride the bicycle in order to learn how to ride a bicycle. Reading/writing approaches would include a lesson plan and bullet points on the positions of the foot and legs when getting on the bike. Visual would use a picture and diagrams to show positions of the body when riding the bike.

Having close to, similar scores also suggest multimodal strategies meaning all learning strategies can be used to further learning. Multimodal learning suggests the use of either all learning modes or just one or two depending on the overall learning capacity of the individual. "Keep in mind that some people with a multimodal preference need to have the same material presented in several of their modes in order to really learn it, while others can effectively learn using any single one of their multiple preferences" (Vark-learn.com, 2015). Personal preference suggests use of kinesthetic learning techniques with read/write reinforcement and visual cues. This not only allows for hands-on experience but the supplemental information helps reinforce memory and information absorption. So theory and application or application and then theory. A "learn from background then experience approach" or a "learn as one goes approach.

When looking at the other learning style, aural, questioning becomes an important means of learning. For instance, debating, asking actions like repetition, and even the use of music, can help in absorbing information quicker. Although aural learning is not something that a person with a preference for writing/reading and visual typically uses, it can still be a great way to learn. Memory through sound may help trigger specific cues in the brain. An excellent example of aural learning is the oral tradition of mythology and songs meant to communicate and pass on information. These are excellent ways to help retain information without using the other learning strategies, a "talk it out" approach.

Awareness of individual learning strategies becomes an important way to effectively and efficiently teach and learn. Some people have noticed clear learning difficulties when approaching regular curriculum. That might be due to the individual learning strategy preference. Some people can only learn through one learning strategy, while others can learn from either, or best learn from a combination of all four. It really is different for each person. "Just as there are divergent results with respect to how a statistics course impacts students' attitudes toward statistics there are also divergent results with respect to the effectiveness of "active learning approaches" when teaching statistics" (Carlson & Winquist, 2011, p. 2). Learning how to evaluate a student's learning abilities and preferences may be key in teaching and learning.