Although there is not a definitive explanatation behind ‘Learning Styles’, there main concept is that each person differs in how they learn. The term learning styles is used in different learning situations when describing the pattern or process in which someone learns. There are a number of different ways in which people learn: Kolb’s Cycle, Whole-Brain Learning, VARK/VAK and mulitple intelligence. However in this post the VARK/VAK method is going to be focused on.
Critics of learning styles have comparisons between each others work and ideas, for example:
‘The practice is nonsense from a neuroscientific point of view: humans have evolved to build a picture of the world through our senses working in unison’. (Henry, 2007)
‘If people can change how they learn after the completion of the VARK assessment, that learning is potentially enhanced’ (Fleming, 2012)
The above quotes are just a small insight as to the ideas of different critics.
VARK/VAK
Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinaesthetic is what is meant by the abbreviation VARK. On occasion, the Read/Write section is not incluced making the VAK learnign style. This style covers all basis of how different people can learn in different ways. It then depends on the coach to be prepared and knowledgable enough to be able to provide these different types of learning styles. VARK suggests that it is the most effective way for all to learn, as long as the participants inherit which style they are most suited to and use it, not somebody else’s.
Visual learners tend to learn best when they are seeing what is required of them. In a coaching term, these kind of learners, understand what to do with the help of diagrams of the session or task which is about to be completed.
Aural learners benefit from hearing what is required. These types of learners do not always have to see or experience what they have to do, and can pick up a task simply through the coach’s instructions.
Kinaesthetic learners tend to learn better once they have experienced what is required of them. This can be done by using demonstrations, or as a group running through the exercise which has been organised so everyone can see what is required of them.
It is important for the coach to be able to intepret each of the learning styles into the session, this way each participant has an equal opportunity to learn. By giving constant encouragement or instruction, aural learners should be able to identify what is needed. Anytime an exercise changes or needs to re-start, by demonstrating what exactly is required covers any participant which learns kinaesthetically, and by having diagrams present, visual learners should also be able to get hold of an understanding.
References
Greta I., M n.d., ‘Impact of learning style assessment on self-reported skills of students in an associate degree nursing program’, Teaching And Learning In Nursing, ScienceDirect
Petty, G. (2009) Teaching Today, A Practical Guide (Fourth Edition), Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes