The Active Learning Site

Focusing on Your

Learning Preferences

Problems learning? No need to fear Vark is here.

    Vark refers to Visual, Aural, Read/Write and Kinesthetic sensory modes. These are four learning preferences used today to help develop a style of learning for individuals.

    Neil D. Fleming is the developer and creator of Vark. His purpose is to key in on what individuals use to help them retain information that is pertinent to them. He devise a group of questions with help sheets for schools, employment and leaders to use which would help them understand what method they would need in order to fully comprehend their studies and job skills. In 1987, at Lincoln University, New Zealand, he initially developed this inventory.

    Multi-modals were added as a fifth category because approximately 60 percent of individuals who had taken the Vark inventory had multiple preferences.

    The inventory's ability to bring discussion about learning to students and professors has received high acclaim. It is used around the western world in educational institutions.

    When I took the Vark inventory, I found it to be true that I 'm aural and read/write in my learning preferences. I scored low in visual and kinesthetic mode. I scored a 6 in aural and an 8 in read/write sensory modes. From the line of questions I was asked, I can somewhat see it being helpful in relating my learning preference to how I do things. It seems to me Fleming felt that ones learning preferences could be discovered by how they did simple tasks in their everyday lives.

    The Vark is helpful for those who do not have a set pattern in their lives. If they had no idea on how to go about learning or ever thought about the simple things that they do daily, it truly plays a role in their learning capabilities.

    I'm sure the Vark serves its purpose for some, and it has enlightened me to other options that I could use if my way of learning becomes a problem. I could administer the visual by highlighting information that I feel is important to me and also, the kinesthetic by using different aids such as field trips, tours, and lectures that give real life examples. Overall, I already know what my learning preference is. I wouldn't say that it didn't benefit me at all because it did give me other tools that are available for me.

Works Cited

Bonwell, Charles.The Active Learning Site.

9June2000<www.activelearningsite.com/Vark>.