The VARK

  What is the VARK? Well, the VARK is the learning preference inventory used by students and teachers. VARK stands for Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic, which are the four sensory modal preferences. VARK was developed by Neil Fleming in 1987. The VARK will explain the different ways of taking in information by the student and the giving of the information by the teacher.

  Not everyone is exactly alike when it comes to the way they learn. If they are visual, the learn more effectively by seeing the subject. If they are aural, they learn better by oral speeches. Reading/Writing is when the student understands better for them by reading the text, and also having good note taking skills. The last mode is kinesthetic, which means the student learns better by actually being there, like a field trip.

  At first when I just read the VARK, I did not understand what it was trying to say. Then once I got to class, I started understanding it better. That is my best way of understanding many things, is actually hearing someone explain it to me.

  I enjoyed taking the VARK inventory test. It showed my different ways to improve with my study habits to go with my particular mode. In my case, I already knew that I understood things better by seeing it or being there. And my test scores were highest in visual and kinesthetic. I suggest that everyone should take the VARK inventory test to see what is your strongest and weakest modal preferences are so you as a student will know what you have to work on.

Bonwell, Charles."VARK." The Active Learning Site. 9 June 2000 ;www.active-learning.site.com/VARK.

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