VARK Questionnaire Analysis

The VARK Learning Questionnaire
Assessment and understanding an individual’s particular style of learning can assist in more effective studying; ultimately leading to greater learning, better information retention, and ultimately a more successful student. (Blasen, 2011) The “VARK Questionnaire: How Do I Learn Best?” Is a tool which helps to identify the learning styles that work best for each individual. The Questionnaire consists of sixteen questions that helps discover if a person learns through a read-write, kinesthetic, visual, or aural styles. There could also be a combination of these styles commonly referred to as a multimodal style. (Fleming,2011)
Completion of the VARK assessment tool shows that this writer prefers a kinesthetic
style of learning. This is a hand on type approach that includes using touch, hearing, sight, smells, and taste (Fleming, 2011). Tangible tasks help connect experiences with memories, like watching a surgical procedure rather than just reading about it. Other beneficial learning tools for kinesthetic learners would be using bright pictures, smelling and tasting food, idea explanation, the use of trial and error, participating in demonstrations, the use of real examples when learning theories, and role playing. (Studying Style: A Guide to Learning Styles, 2010) Also, since kinesthetic learners tend to get bored very easily, hands on experiences and frequent breaks are necessary to keep them attentive. (Studying Style: A Guide to Learning Styles, 2010)
Not only does the VARK tool help to self identify personal learning styles, it can be used as a resource to the teacher as well.
One of the greatest responsibilities of being a nurse is being an educator of health. Using the knowledge gained from this questionnaire, a nurse can be more aware of a patient’s style of learning and therefore, adapt the teaching style to better deliver education material. By utilizing better techniques to deliver more effective teaching, patient’s will feel more empowered to control their health. “People who believe that they can make a difference in health and who are involved in decision-making are more likely to make changes.” (Edelman, 2014) This results in better overall outcomes for patients in the long
term.
Prior to completing this questionnaire, this writer was not aware of the technical name or specifics related to their particular style of learning.
For instance, this writer finds it extremely difficult to read and then understand books, most notably about theories. It takes many attempts of rereading information before it makes sense. If ideas can be associated with a real life experience, visualized, or perform the skill, the memory is easily understood and retained. Some other notable traits associated with kinesthetic learners and also this writer are messy handwriting, excessive fidgeting, and enjoy better learning experiences when not sitting at a desk. (Studying Style: A Guide to Learning Styles, 2010) Coincidentally, this writer is producing this paper while sitting on the couch as opposed to a desk, I’m tapping my foot, and scribbling messy notes on the notepad next to me. Retrospectively, all of this writer’s school requirements at home were done in this matter and seem natural and have been generally
successful.
This writer’s second highest score was the aural style of learning. Aural students tend to do better attending class, face to face interaction, and recording the lectures for later reference (Fleming, 2011) This writer did not purchase books and absorbed everything the instructor said which provided the necessary information to complete tests successfully. This writer thrives during in person class discussions. It is sometimes difficult to participate in discussion questions due to the feeling of being disconnected from the overall group. This could explain why I have found difficulty with the online learning experience. Fortunately this writer has, and will continue to adapt and be successful in school despite the extra effort required because of the lacking characteristics of my needed learning style.
The VARK questionnaire validated the learning characteristics of this writer and proves that it is a solid evidence based tool for diagnosing or realizing a person’s learning traits and needs. Many of these characteristics were not realized until completing this questionnaire. Even though unaware of the characteristics of learning, the tool has demonstrated that this writer is using some techniques that are appropriate for my learning style. However, this tool shows that this writer can make some changes to further facilitate learning. One change that can be implemented is to break up assignments and discussions into smaller sessions over time. This would help to decrease the overwhelmed feeling that this writer feels when trying to complete assignments in one grand session. This feeling of being overwhelmed not only added difficulty to the learning experience but it also contributed stress to other aspects of life. This same technique will be applied to the assigned reading as well. Breaking up the reading into smaller sections may help to better retain information. By applying these techniques, it is hopeful that there will be a decrease in stress on top of a more successful learning experience.
This tool was an extremely beneficial experience for this writer. It is quick and very to complete and understand. Using the VARK analysis, other students can identify strategies to become more effective and successful students and at the same time, become a more effective teacher.