VAK Learning (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic)
From Learning and training wiki
 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 | Brief Description |
|---|---|
| Auditory |
|
| Visual | There is an argument for two different types of visual learner:
|
| Kinesthetic |
|
Activities and tools to support VAK Learning
Note for instructors: You have the opportunity to try out all kinds of activities to reach the preferred learning styles of all learners
Visual learners
- Use visuals and graphics to present and organize information (charts, graphs, post-it notes, posters, flash-cards, diagrams, illustrations, pictures, coloured pens and paper, mind-maps, spidergrams)
- Provide lots of written materials, and give exercises that require writing and note taking
- Write key words on flip chart paper and ask learners to write responses
- Invite visual learners to be group recorders
Auditory learners
- Best way to teach an auditory learner is to say it; state the information
- Ask learners to describe specific information
- Provide discussion periods for learners
- Encourage questions
- Foster small group participation
- Use auditory activities (brainstorming, buzz groups, debriefing, reading out loud, oral revisions, stories, anecdotes, jokes, rhymes, jingles, rap, poems, songs)
Kinesthetic learners
- Encourage underlining and highlighting key words and taking notes
- Plan activities that make learners move (group work, role-plays, field trips)
- Initiate activities that make learners use their hands (move and organize post-its, highlight text, make models, transfer text from one medium to an other)
- Put theory into practice
- Provide real-life simulation situations
- Build-in planned physical breaks
- Use lots of examples, case studies, and ways of application [1]}}
Job Aid
Application of the VAK Model during Instruction
| Link | Content |
|---|---|
| Teaching Strategies: Learning Styles (Video, 5 mins) | Tips for teachers on how to engage learners with different learning styles. |
| Self-assessment | VARK: An online questionnaire allowing learners to identify their preferred learning style(s). |
References
- ↑ Learning Skills & Development Agency: Learning Styles & their application for effective learning http://www.itslifejimbutnotasweknowit.org.uk/files/LearningStyles.pdf (12 August 2011), http://www.skillsdevelopment.org.uk/emailnews/autumn2009/article/article-understanding.html (12 August 2011), http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a3_aspects/pages/VAK.htm (12 August 2011), http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/styles/vakt.html (12 August 2011)