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Teaching methods

Learning styles. Understanding VARK#

One of the most accepted understandings of learning styles is that student learning styles fall into three categories: Visual Learners, Auditory Learners and Kinesthetic Learners. These learning styles are found within educational theorist Neil Fleming’s VARK model of Student Learning. VARK is an acronym that refers to the four types of learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing Preference, and Kinesthetic. (Fleming & Baume, 2006)
Identifying your students as visual, auditory, reading/writing or kinesthetic learners, and aligning your overall curriculum with these learning styles, will prove to be beneficial for your entire classroom. Allowing students to access information in terms they are comfortable with will increase their academic confidence.
Referred to as SWOT (“Study Without Tears”), Flemings provides advice on how students can use their learning modalities and skills to their advantage when studying for an upcoming test or assignment.

Visual Strategies
  • Utilize graphic organizers such as charts, graphs, and diagrams.
  • Redraw your pages from memory.
  • Replace important words with symbols or initials.
  • Highlight important key terms in corresponding colors.

    • Aural Strategies
  • Record your summarized notes and listen to them on tape
  • Talk it out. Have a discussion with others to expand upon your understanding of a topic.
  • Reread your notes and/or assignment out loud.
  • Explain your notes to your peers/fellow “aural” learners.

    • Read/Write Strategies
  • Write, write and rewrite your words and notes.
  • Reword main ideas and principles to gain a deeper understanding.
  • Organize diagrams, charts, and graphic organizers into statements.

    • Kinesthetic Strategies
  • Use real life examples, applications and case studies in your summary to help with abstract concepts.
  • Redo lab experiments or projects.
  • Utilize pictures and photographs that illustrate your idea.