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| The VARK Inventory Test | ||||||||||||
| What is the V.A.R.K. The V.A.R.K. is an inventory test that helps people understand which way they learn material best.� It stands for Visual, Aural, Reading/Writing and Kinesthetic.� Neil Fleming, a professor at Lincoln University in New Zealand, created this inventory test in 1987.�� He came up with these four sensory modal preferences, not only to help student's figure out which way they learn, but also to aid teachers in using better techniques to help their students advance.� He also added a fifth sensory preference, which combines them, because he has found that many students are multi-modal. | ||||||||||||
| People who learn best visually exhibit characteristics of acquiring information by seeing it displayed.� For example, they often learn by watching videos and looking at pictures to get a better idea of the topic.� When reading, they usually highlight or underline to make the information stand out because it is easier to remember.� An aural learner� best gains information by hearing it being discussed.� The learner participates in discussions, tutorials and lectures.� They best remember information by using tape recorders and are able to reiterate to another classmate what a discussion or lecture was about.� A student who learns best through reading and writing most likely would be seen using a lot of printed material.� Their notes would consist of precise lecture notes and dictations.� A kinesthetic learner acquires information best through hands-on activities.� These students are most commonly interested in field trips, experiments, and anything having to do with the five senses.� A student is not limited to one type of sensory preference, but can be multi-modal. They can learn by using a number of different types of sensory modal preferences. | ||||||||||||
| When taking the V.A.R.K. inventory, I found that I learn best kinesthetically.� The test showed that I am weak in learning information through reading and writing.� Throughout high school, I struggled through my assignments that involved a great deal of reading and writing.� This strategy of assessing the way one learns best can help a student become aware of their strengths and weakness in learning capabilities.� I know now that when I am given an assignment, it would be best for me to turn it into a hands-on activity to get as much information from it as possible. | ||||||||||||
| Works Cited | ||||||||||||
| Bonwell, Charles C. The Active Learning Site_VARK. Last updated 8 Dec 1998 http://www.active-learning-site.com/vark.htm | ||||||||||||
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