M3

VAK learning styles are different approaches or ways of learning. Psychologists have developed ideas and theories of how people learn.   Educationalists have used these theories and put them into 3 categories which are visual, auditory and kinaesthetic these are aimed at allowing people to be more effective and efficient learners.

Visual learners:   

Visual learners learn through seeing and through facial expressions and body language.  Seeing detailed examples helps them absorb and memorize information. They use methods like these to learn:

v  Visual materials such as pictures, charts, maps and graphs

v  They find it easier to be able to see the teacher so they can see their body language and facial expressions

v  Use colour to highlight the important parts in text

v  Take notes or asks the teacher for handouts

v  Illustrates ideas by using pictures or brainstorming before writing it down

v  Write a story and illustrate it

v  Use multi-media (e.g computers, videos, and filmstrips)

v  Study in a quiet place away from verbal disturbances

v  Read illustrated books

v  Visualise information as a picture aid to memorisation

Auditory learners:

Auditory learners learn best through verbal lessons, discussions, and talking things through and listening to what they have to say. They also interpret meanings of speech by listening to tone, of voice, pitch and speed. They find it hard to understand written information until it is read out to them. They benefit from reading text aloud.  They learn through:

v  Participating in discussions/ debates

v  Make speeches and presentations

v  Using a tape recorder during lectures instead of taking notes

v  Reading text aloud

v  Creating musical jingles and mnemonics to aid memorisation

v  Use verbal analogies and story telling to demonstrate their point of view.

Kinaesthetic learners:

Kinaesthetic learners learn best through the hands-on approach by exploring around them. They find it hard to sit still for long periods, as they loose concentration and work best by doing multiple activities. They learn by using:

v  Bright colours to highlight important text

v  Listening to music whilst they study

v  Skim through text to get a rough idea before reading in detail

v  Work standing

v  Moving around and muli-tasking

v  Taking frequent study breaks

I have mostly used visual learning as im usually on a computer and listen to what I have to do from teachers. I use auditory learning when asking for help, or in media when doing presentations of my work  and kinaesthetic learning when I get distracted so I move around to get back into focus.

I am a visual learner, I find it hard to work with noise and i block out voices with music. I highlight and use brainstorming when im planning and when im listening to someone speak I look at facial expressions to help me figure out whether its positive or negative.