Do you ever find yourself sitting in a class that you enjoy, the teacher is talking for a while and you can’t help but lose your focus? Turns out, there are a lot of people like you. The majority of people (students included) learn best through visual mediums rather than auditory. There are a few different styles of learning, so which ones suit you? One model that defines learning styles is VARK.
· Visual
· Auditory
· Read/Write
· Kinaesthetic (Doing/Sensing)
Fleming & Baume describe VARK as a catalyst for understanding and improving your own learning.
Perhaps you already know how you like to learn or perhaps you are often left wondering if there was a better way to be taught? Either way, knowledge of what your preferences are can open up opportunities and conversations between you and your teacher about how to get the most out of your education. You can also apply this knowledge when you leave school and continue studying, get a job, or want to learn anything new. VARK isn’t the only model out there, but it is a good starting point. Knowing how you learn most effectively (and using this information appropriately) can improve your quality of education and life dramatically. Once you know your learning styles/strengths/weaknesses, use them to improve the quality of your own learning!
· Auditory
· Read/Write
· Kinaesthetic (Doing/Sensing)
Fleming & Baume describe VARK as a catalyst for understanding and improving your own learning.
Perhaps you already know how you like to learn or perhaps you are often left wondering if there was a better way to be taught? Either way, knowledge of what your preferences are can open up opportunities and conversations between you and your teacher about how to get the most out of your education. You can also apply this knowledge when you leave school and continue studying, get a job, or want to learn anything new. VARK isn’t the only model out there, but it is a good starting point. Knowing how you learn most effectively (and using this information appropriately) can improve your quality of education and life dramatically. Once you know your learning styles/strengths/weaknesses, use them to improve the quality of your own learning!
Activity:
Click one of the links below and complete a learning styles quiz. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
VARK: http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/
Multiple Intelligences: http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-assessment
Index of Learning Styles: http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html
During classes this week make a conscious decision to put more effort into a lesson when it isn’t delivered in your preferred learning style. (E.g. you are listening to a lecture but you prefer a visual medium).
Do the same for when it is your preferred learning style. Notice how your effort and focus can have a huge impact on your learning!
Sources:
http://vark-learn.com/
http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html
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