Concept of VARK

1. Acknowledging
Learning Styles
November 10, 2021

2.  Disclaimer
 What?
 Why?
 How?
 Types
 Strategies
Overview

3.  Theories about learning styles have been widely
debunked.
 There is little evidence to show that students perform
differently when learning styles are taken into account.
 Remember our role: We are not creating lessons; we are
helping students understand them.
To learn more about the arguments against learning
styles, click here.
Disclaimer

4. "Learning styles can be defined, classified, and identified
in many different ways. Generally, they are overall
patterns that provide direction to learning and
teaching. [Preferred] learning style can also be described
as a set of factors, behaviors, and attitudes that facilitate
learning for an individual in a given situation."
https://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/learning/introduction.htm
What are learning styles?

5.  Acknowledges individual needs and preferences
 Gives us the opportunity to design strategies with
students
 Continues our discussion about how students learn
Why should we discuss Learning
Styles?

6. How?
Click here for the VARK questionnaire.

7.  Visual
 Auditory
 Reading/writing
 Kinesthetic
 Bi/multi-modal
Types

8.  Focus on understanding graphics
 Create mind maps when taking notes
 Use color-coding when possible
 Watch youtube videos
 Other strategies?
Visual

9.  Focus on lectures
 Record lecture (ask for permission first)
 Check text resources for embedded reader
 Read notes out loud when studying
 Join a study group and discuss
 Other strategies?
Aural/Auditory

10.  Focus on assigned readings
 Write out concepts in your own words
 Rewrite PP's prior to class and add notes from class
 Seek out additional texts on the subject
 Other strategies?
Reading/writing

11.  Focus on hands-on application when available
 Follow along with youtube video
 Seek out case studies and real-world applications
 Move around while studying
 Visualize sensory details when learning
 Other strategies?
Kinesthetic

12.  May adapt mode depending on situation
 May need all modes to be satisfied to perceive fully
You can:
 Encourage students to develop other modes
 Acknowledge that instructors cannot always appeal to all
learning styles
 Reinforce the student's control over their own education
Bi/multi-modal