There are 4 types of learning styles that people use, these are; Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic.
Visual
A visual learner will be able to take in information a lot more easily and clearer if the work needed to be learnt contains images, graphs, symbols, different styles of writing, and different texts colors.
To perform well in an examination via this technique it is best to draw things and diagrams to help you, and to try to remember any images to remind of any information needed to know.
Aural
For a Aural learner, the best way to take in information easier is to attend classes, discussions and tutorials. To discuss topics with other students and teachers, explain new ideas to other people, use a tape recorder during lectures to listen back to anything you could have missed, and to remember any jokes used in any lectures to help remember back to any key information.
To perform well in an examination via this technique imagine talking with the examiner, listen to your voices and write them down, spend time in quite places recalling the ideas, and practice answers to old exam questions.
Read/Write
For a Read/Write learner, the best way to take in information easier is by lists, headings, dictionaries, glossaries, definitions, handouts, textbooks, reading, taking notes, and essays.
To perform well in an examination via this technique write exam answers, practice with multiple choice questions, write paragraphs (beginnings and endings), write lists (a,b,c,1,2,3), and arrange your words into hierarchies and points.
Definitions above taken from; www.vark-learn.com
Kinesthetic
For a Kinesthetic learner, the best way to take in information easier is by doing, these include doing things such as; studying in short blocks of time rather than extended periods, taking frequent breaks when studying, changing locations each time you take a break, having as many experimental learning opportunities as possible such as lab and studio courses instead of loads of lecture classes, giving demonstrations to the class instead of written reports, working in study groups, role play, engaging in field trips, using memory techniques requiring movement such as hand gestures, and using flash cards.
The definition above Is taken from; www.cuyamaca.edu
I was given a VARK Questionnaire to complete, which will give me an insight into what style of learning technique I would learn best from.
My results from the VARK Questionnaire are as followed;
Visual: 4
Aural: 5
Read/Write: 4
Kinesthetic: 5
As you can see from my results it shows that I am an average mix of all four of the different learning styles.
I disagree with the results from the VARK questionnaire; I feel that my weakest learning style is Aural. In a lecture I find It very difficult to sit there, listen and take in all the information thrown at me if the only technique being used is speaking and pointing to slides on the wall. If this is what is happening my mind tends to zone out and wander elsewhere, which therefore means I am not learning anything from the lecture I am currently in, and I would have got the same outcome from it if I had not bothered turning up for it.
This is the reason why I feel Kinesthetic learning is my strongest learning technique, when in a lecture I like to be able to take part in any questions, have a few jokes chucked in to mix up the lecture, and to be able to write down any notes and diagrams about the topic being taught to me. This way my mind doesn’t wander and I listen to what is being said to me, as im occupied writing down any other information on paper, and being able remember back to key information said in a lecture by referring back to an image seen, or a joke made.
Although I feel the above 2 are my weakest and strongest methods of learning, like the results of my questionnaire said, I do feel I also learn a little from the other two learning styles, visual and read/write.
I would not recommend using the VARK questionnaire to find out what learning style you are as my results didn’t come out very accurate, I think this is from the brief questions asked, and the limited answers that for each one.
