VAK Learning (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) |
VAK is a popular learning style pedagogical approach. As individuals, we generally engage in all VAK modalities (visual, audio, kinesthetic) to receive and learn new information. One or two are dominant which suggests learners have a natural preference for the way they learn. As such, there is an argument for matching teaching and learning styles to enhance the learning process enabling trainers to address the needs of learners in a more efficient way.
As VAK theory has evolved the consensus of opinion has come to support the application of a range of activities during instruction to that of a single learning style. |
Learning Style
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Brief Description
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Visual
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There is an argument for two different types of visual learner:
- Visual-linguistic
- Learners like to learn by writing things down in their own words
- Visual-Spatial
- Learners understand better with the use of mind maps, symbolic representations, and drawings to depict views on reality and history
- Learners tend to remember faces and places by using their imagination, seldom getting lost in new surroundings
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Auditory
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- Learners respond to story-telling
- Learners engage better during lecture discussion
- Learners often talk to themselves, and read out loud
- Learners may find it helpful to: tape lectures and listen later; listen to a podcast of a recorded lecture/programme; have discussions with other learners; tutor other students to reinforce learning; participate in group discussions
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Kinesthetic
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- Learners learn best by doing things such as taking a walk while they are studying information
- Learners do well in a hands-on environment
- Learners underline or highlight texts with different colours
- Learners respond to photographic images, movies, videos, and YouTube clips
- Learners enjoy role-play scenarios
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Activities and tools to support VAK Learning
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Job Aid
Application of the VAK Model during Instruction
References