VAK / VARK learning Style

 

VAK / VARK learning Style

VAK is a form of learning model developed by Barbe in 1979 and later modified by Fleming as VARK which indicates V- Visual, A- Auditorial, R- Read/write and K-Kinesthetic. VAK identified as one of the most achieved learning styles which is suitable for the people who are interested with blended learning (Fayombo, 2015). According to the Ismail in 2010, to increase effective of learners it is possible to group them according to the effective mode of individuals (Ismail, 2010).

Figure 1- VAK Learning Style


Source: Sprengel, 2020

According to the brief description of Sreenidhi &Helena in 2017 and Moayyeri in 2015, the three sense of VAK style is as follows.

Table 1 three sense of VAK style

Visual learning

Auditory learning

Kinesthetic learning

70% of the population are visual learners

30% of the population are auditory learners

10% of population are kinesthetic learners.

Teaching and learning methodology is associated with images and techniques

Individual learns through listing who depends hearing and speaking as their primary learning.

Learning done by physical activities rather listening. Also known as tactical learning.

Visual learners

learn through seeing information and instructions rather hearing. Use mind map to remember things and prefer to create their own notes.

 

Auditory learners

Fully understand with classroom lecture rather reading their own. Good at writing which they heard during the lecture. They are good at oral exams and tend to do own personal research, report wring and presentation.

Kinesthetic learners

known as do-ers who natural discovery learners with hands on activities are. They are best in real environments like laboratories, workshops etc.

 

Source: Sreenidhi & Chiny(2017): Moayyeri (2015)

According to the education and humanities research done by university of Indonesia Depok in 2019, in the field of learning styles, the following outcomes were identified (Atsari, 2019).

  •          It is effective to use visual learning while learners are not talkative, good observers, good concentration and remember visuals.
  •          It is effective use auditory style for the learners who are very talkative and prefer oral than writing and enjoining listening
  •          It is effective to use kinesthetic style for the learners who are like to participate in learning and need movements and touch real objects.

On the other hand, the journal of educational and social research done for Malaysia education system in 2020 to identify whether Visual, Auditory, reading/writing and Kinesthetic learning style is enough to improve skills and competencies of learners to match industry revolution 4.0 and it is analyzed that this learning style is inefficient to complete the technology is rapidly change and VAK is insufficient to fulfill it (Ismail and Haniff, 2020). 

There are several approaches about effectiveness of VAK learning style, but as a simple way, it happens according to learner’s sensory modalities, hence some has mixed or evenly balanced VAK adaptation and no one has exclusively one of each (Fayombo, 2015).

The analysis done by Vaishnav (2013) within 200 participants of Maharashta state, it was identified that kinesthetic is more prevalent than other two(38%-Kinesthetic style, 33.5%-Visual style and 28.5%- Auditory style), but main effect of VAK categories is highly effective to the academic achievement of the learners (Vaishnav, 2013).

The organization I have employed in, which is one of the largest telecommunication service providers in the country, identified their employee training styles as blended style which is includes all three learning senses. There are many system trainings which are based on hands-on practices to acquire knowledge and improve skills, specifically, cable joining and fault handling, system trouble shooting etc. The organization identified that theoretical training or classroom base training is not enough to handle real issues in the industry. There is an initial assessment to identify most suitable learning style for the audience and then align the trainings accordingly. It is experienced that the training which covers all 3 senses of VAK learning style is earned more positive comments for final feedback form filled by trainees as well as their supervisors than the theoretical lecturing type trainings.  While considering college students attached to the training centre of the organization I have worked for, they also offered 06 months on the job training session which is freely offered by the organization which provides VAK style of learning to the students to ready to the employment. Ultimately VAK is an effective and universally proved blended learning style which provides effective outcome for different types of learners to acquire knowledge according to their preferred style.

Figure 2 Telecommunication Industry Hands-on practices


Source : slt.lk/training (2021)



References

1. Atsari, F.(2019) Learning Styles and the Role of Technology in Second Language Learning, Atlantis Press, SARL

2. Fayombo, G. (2015) Learning Styles, Teaching Strategies and Academic Achievement among some Psychology Undergraduates in Barbados, Caribbean Educational Research Journal, 3(2), pp. 46-61.

3. Ismail, I. M. (2010) Maklum balas pelajar melalui gaya pembelajaran VARK terhadap pengajaran berasaskan komputer (PBK) [Student feedback through VARK learning style on computer-based teaching (PBK)], University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat.

4. Ismail, S. M. B & Haniff, W.A.A.W. (2020) Journal of Educational and Social Research, 10(3), pp,52-57.

5. Moayyeri, H. (2015) The Impact of Undergraduate Students’ Learning Preferences (VARK Model) on Their Language Achievement, Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 6(1), pp. 132-139.

6.SLTMobitel the connection2021, Four corners Sri Lanka, viewed 12th August 2021 <https://slt.lk/en/training-center/courses/beng>

7. Sprengel, R. (2020) Learning styles online: how can we allow for different learner types?, weblog, viewed 01 July 2020 < https://www.eltas.de/2020/07/01/learning-styles/>.

8. Sreenidhi, S. K., Chinyi, H. T.(2017) Styles of Learning Based on the Research of Fernald, Keller, Orton, Gillingham, Stillman, Montessori and Neil D Fleming, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, 3(4), pp. 17-25.

9. Vaishnav, R. S. (2013) Learning Styles and Academic Achievements of Secondary School Students, Voice of Research, 1(4), pp.1-4.


 

Comments

  1. Agreed.The VAK (Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic) learning styles model is a simple approach to describe and understand your own learning style as well as the learning styles of others. Most significantly, it enables you to create learning techniques and experiences that are tailored to the tastes of your audience Ismail, (2010)

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    Replies
    1. Yes menupa, agreed with the argument you have made, VAK is a simple model but it covers many of the essential methods of knowledge grabbing methodologies of participants, also training need delivery must be done according to individuals’ preferences which is describes under VAK model (Almomani, 2019). Also Hussain(2017), comes up with survey outcome as VARK is fashion of providing training in a visualized way and trait of covering each category of learning methods.

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  2. Agreed with you Thushari on the fact that, there is no fixed learning style. Further adding to it, a learning style may be combined with another and varies upon situations and nature of the activity, people practice various preferred learning styles which is usually a blend of all three senses, some individuals have a very strong preference while some prefer an even mixture of two or three styles. (Shreenidhi and Helena 2017).

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    Replies
    1. Yes, VAK or VARK covers all the sensing points of learners what a trainer can touch to achieve better outcome and effective of training. Gathering, organizing and thinking differences of individuals are covered under VAK model(Fleming, 2011). According to Celcia-Murcia(2001), learning styles have broad spectrum perception and Zhang(2005) introduced that VARK can covers pattern of teaching either participant focused or teacher focused. VAK is under category of perceptual modes so treat individuals perfectly(Fleming, 2011).

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  3. Yes, VAK is important in practice. According to the Gholami & Shiraz(2013), VAK learning style has direct positive impact with problem solving styles relevant to gender but it is not effected to the field of employee engaged. It is proved from the survey and e-test that VAK model is more effective than conventional model (Hardiana & Suyata,2018). Further he mentioned that VAK learning model can affect for trainee’s effectiveness and motivation in positive manner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As you commented VAK is one of the most popular learning style among employees and organizations, due to it may cause to improve level of alertness of the learners(Gholami & Bagheri, 2013). As per Biggs(2011) every learner has different way of learning and grabbing knowledge and VARK covers all. Creativity of innovation kinesthetic preferences might lead to procrastination behavior have to be lead by this providing VAR style of learning(richerdson et al, 2012).

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  4. I agree with your thesis, The VAK learning method to the mix makes it easier to receive, process, recall, and apply information. Each person has a unique learning style. Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles are examples of student learning styles. Visual learners learn by viewing things, auditory learners learn by hearing things, and kinesthetic learners learn by moving and touching things (Bandler and Grinder ,. 2000). 

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    1. Yes Sampath, learning styles have different approaches and people have different way of learning VAR or VARK covers all the sensors of learning styles of individuals(Nidhi & Tay, 2017). As per survey outcomes of Hardiana & Suyata(2018), VAK is the first model to identify each individuals’ modalities. VAR is effective for both learner and the trainer to achieve their goals in effective manner(Urquhart & Melver, 2005). So VAK is more popular and effective style of developing people in the higher studies as well as organizations with motivating participant to learn more(Iskandawassid & Sunendar, 2013).

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  5. Based on Yaakub and Hashim (2004), who stated that learning is a mental, physical, and spiritual activity, we can conclude that learning is a mental, physical, and spiritual activity. It is a continual and persistent process that alters one's demeanor and behaviors, allowing the individual to apply their knowledge and abilities for their own advancement as well as for the advancement of society. So its evident that VARK style of learning covers all relevant aspects of a good learning style.

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    Replies
    1. Yes Kavan, VAR/VARK covers all the senses of effective learning point of partners in different manner to grab the knowledge effective way according to their preference method(Armstrong, 2010). It is able to reached individuals’ preference effectively(Hardiana & Suyata, 2018) which is effected improve creativity and innovation as well(Richardson at al, 2012).

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  6. Agree with your views. Some people have a very strong preference; other people have a more even mixture of two or less commonly, three styles. When you know your preferred learning style(s) you understand the type of learning that best suits you. This enables you to choose the types of learning that work best for you. There is no right or wrong learning style. (Rahul et al., 2019)

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    Replies
    1. Different learning and training technology can effectively develop the employees (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). To face to the rapidly changing technology in the telecommunication industry, facilitating of proper regular trainings can be directly affected to performance and productivity of the organization (Rajesham & Khatoon, 2020). According to the 4th international Postgraduate research colloquium done by Shinawtra University, the T&D had strong relationship with the telecommunication industry performance and influence high personal skill development (Southiseng & Walsh,2016 .

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