VAK Learning Style

Different people have different learning styles. Basically, we can classified it into three major groups, which is known as V,A,K. 

So, what is V,A,K? 

1. Visual Learners

-like to learn through written language, such as reading and writing tasks

-remember what has been written down

-do better with charts, demonstrations, videos, and other visual materials

-easily visualize faces and places by using their imagination and seldom get lost in new surroundings

2. Auditory Learners

-often talk to themselves

-move their lips and read out loud

-do better talking to a colleague or a tape recorder and hearing what was said

3.Kinesthetic Learners

-do best while touching and moving

-tend to lose concentration if there is little or no external stimulation or movement

-When listening to lectures they may want to take notes for the sake of moving their hands

-When reading, they like to scan the material and get the big picture first, and then focus in on the details

-They typically use color high lighters and take notes by drawing pictures, diagrams, or doodling

I always thought that I am a visual learner, until I have done this VAK Learning Style Test provided by Bussiness Balls.com (http://www.businessballs.com/vaklearningstylestest.htm).

Below is the test that I have done and my learning style:

VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

 

 

Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave.

 

(It’s best to complete the questionnaire before reading the accompanying explanation.)

 

 

1. When I operate new equipment I generally:

a)    read the instructions first

b)    listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before

c)     go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it

                                                         B

2. When I need directions for travelling I usually:

a)    look at a map

b)    ask for spoken directions

c)     follow my nose and maybe use a compass

                                                         A

3. When I cook a new dish, I like to:

a)    follow a written recipe

b)    call a friend for an explanation

c)     follow my instincts, testing as I cook

                                                         C

4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:

a)    write instructions down for them

b)    give them a verbal explanation

c)     demonstrate first and then let them have a go

                                                         A

5. I tend to say:

a)    watch how I do it

b)    listen to me explain

c)     you have a go

                                                          A

6. During my free time I most enjoy:

a)    going to museums and galleries

b)    listening to music and talking to my friends

c)     playing sport or doing DIY

                                                           C

7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:

a)    imagine what they would look like on

b)    discuss them with the shop staff

c)     try them on and test them out

                                                            C

8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually:

a)    read lots of brochures

b)    listen to recommendations from friends

c)     imagine what it would be like to be there

                                                            A

9. If I was buying a new car, I would:

a)    read reviews in newspapers and magazines

b)    discuss what I need with my friends

c)     test-drive lots of different types

                                                            C

10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:

a)    watching what the teacher is doing

b)    talking through with the teacher exactly what I’m supposed to do

c)     giving it a try myself and work it out as I go

                                                            A

11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:

a)    imagine what the food will look like

b)    talk through the options in my head or with my partner

c)     imagine what the food will taste like

                                                            C

12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help:

a)    watching the band members and other people in the audience

b)    listening to the lyrics and the beats

c)     moving in time with the music

                                                             A

13. When I concentrate, I most often:

a)    focus on the words or the pictures in front of me

b)    discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head

c)     move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things

                                                              A

14. I choose household furnishings because I like:

a)    their colours and how they look

b)    the descriptions the sales-people give me

c)     their textures and what it feels like to touch them

                                                               A

15. My first memory is of:

a)    looking at something

b)    being spoken to

c)     doing something

                                                               C

16. When I am anxious, I:

a)    visualise the worst-case scenarios

b)    talk over in my head what worries me most

c)     can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly

                                                                A

17. I feel especially connected to other people because of:

a)    how they look

b)    what they say to me

c)     how they make me feel

                                                                C

18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally:

a)    write lots of revision notes and diagrams

b)    talk over my notes, alone or with other people

c)     imagine making the movement or creating the formula

                                                                 A

19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to:

a)    show them what I mean

b)    explain to them in different ways until they understand

c)     encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it

                                                                 A

20. I really love:

a)    watching films, photography, looking at art or people watching

b)    listening to music, the radio or talking to friends

c)     taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing

                                                                 C

21. Most of my free time is spent:

a)    watching television

b)    talking to friends

c)     doing physical activity or making things

                                                                 C

22. When I first contact a new person, I usually:

a)    arrange a face to face meeting

b)    talk to them on the telephone

c)     try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or a meal

                                                                 C

23. I first notice how people:

a)    look and dress

b)    sound and speak

c)     stand and move

                                                                  A

24. If I am angry, I tend to:

a)    keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me

b)    raise my voice and tell people how I feel

c)     stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger

                                                                  A

25. I find it easiest to remember:

a)    faces

b)    names

c)     things I have done

                                                                  B

26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:

a)    they avoid looking at you

b)    their voices changes

c)     they give me funny vibes

                                                                  C

27. When I meet an old friend:

a)    I say “it’s great to see you!”

b)    I say “it’s great to hear from you!”

c)     I give them a hug or a handshake

                                                                  C

28. I remember things best by:

a)    writing notes or keeping printed details

b)    saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head

c)     doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done

                                                                  A

29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:

a)    writing a letter

b)    complaining over the phone

c)     taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office

                                                                  A

30. I tend to say:

a)    I see what you mean

b)    I hear what you are saying

c)     I know how you feel

                                                                  C

 

 

Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.

 

 

 

A’s = 15                                    B’s = 2                                      C’s = 13

After the test, I finally realised that my learning style is a mixture of Visual and Kinesthetic Learning Style.

VAK Learning Styles Explanation

 

The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of three preferred styles of learning. These three styles are as follows, (and there is no right or wrong learning style):

 

 

• Someone with a Visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s have a look at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. These are the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions.

 

• Someone with an Auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises. These people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ and will be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert. These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear!

 

 

• Someone with a Kinaesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences. These people will use phrases such as ‘let me try’, ‘how do you feel?’ and will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the instructions first!

Hence, I have found out that I can practise a few learning habits in order to improve and enhance my learning abilities: 1. Jot down plenty of content in handouts to reread after lectures.2. Emphasise key points by highlighting them when taking notes.3. Draw pictures in the margin of paper to understand something in the notes better.4. Play suitable music when studying.5. Give frequent stretch breaks to refresh my mind.6. Make models or role play to physically experience learning.