My Learning Experience: The VARK Model Of Learning

Each person is a created with a blend of traits and characteristics that make us unique and influence how we learn. From the moment we are born, we begin to learn, and the learning process continues throughout our life. How we learn is based on our senses, how our brain processes information, and how we respond to life experiences. Learning types are the foundation of how each person essentially learns. Even when we were completely unaware of it, we were being shaped by our learning types. Learning is most effective when our preferred learning type is used. Understanding how I learn and how my learning type affects me can help me be more effective in adapting to college and life situations. The VARK model of learning categorizes learners

I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Based on that quote, I would have to say that Confucius was probably a kinesthetic learner like me. Having this knowledge about myself can help me in both college and life. Many university courses are centered on lectures and reading and I cannot demand that professors change their style to suit me. Instead, I need to find ways to make the course material more physical and multi-sense to appeal to my kinesthetic style. I can use things such as flash cards to help remember information because I can see, touch, and move them. Writing, drawing, and role play are also physical activities that can be used. When I have tasks to do, whether at home or at work, I need to look for opportunities to have someone show me and then practice doing those tasks. I have to be proactive and ask for examples that I can relate

Just as we are unique in our personality and characteristics, I believe that we also have a unique mixture of every learning type. No two people learn the exact same way and that’s what I find beautiful about learning. If we are labeled as just kinesthetic or just aural, we are limiting ourselves and our learning potential. While I struggle with reading a textbook, I love to read novels for enjoyment and learn from them. While I am not primarily a visual or aural learner, viewing a painting and listening to music are important ways to expand my knowledge. It makes more sense to look at and adapt our learning to each situation we encounter and use different learning techniques to assess situations. I find it vital that we fully understand each and every learning type not only to better understand ourselves and to grow in the areas we may be weaker in, but also to better understand our peers and the people we will encounter throughout our