VARK: A Guide to Learning Styles

Details

Activity Description

In this activity, students answer the VARK Learning Style online questionnaire’s 16 questions to measure their learning style preferences in these areas: Visual (V), Aural/Auditory (A), Reading/Writing (R), and Kinesthetic (K) – see descriptions at VARK Modalities page in order to find their preferred learning styles and their weaker study habit. The inventory’s focus is on study habits and skills more than personality traits, and there are "help sheets" that explain to students how to develop their less-preferred learning modalities.

Screenshot of The VARK Questionnaire

Preparation

1. Make sure that the Web site is not blocked on the computer(s) on which students will take the inventory.
2. Go through the questionnaire yourself to anticipate student questions and difficulties and to find vocabulary you may need to pre-teach.
3. Download, print, and photocopy the assignment sheet. (Example Document )
4. Your Web browser must support JavaScript to be automatically scored. If not, there are versions that are printable and translated into many languages on the Using VARK instructions page.

How-To

1. Ask students why it may be important and helpful for them to know and understand their learning styles.
2. Distribute the assignment sheet to students and explain what a preferred learning style is and give examples
3. Have students open the VARK questionnaire in their Web browsers. (Give them the Web address for the Example Web Site above.) Students will answer the VARK learning styles inventory questionnaire by selecting one or more answers to each question. After answering the questions, their results will be displayed.
4. Students will use the Example Document (above) to record and summarize the results of the questionnaire by noting their preferred learning style(s) and characteristics and making a learning goal for developing their less frequently used learning styles and studying habits in order to develop their study skills.
5. Debrief and discuss students’ results with the whole class to find out if there are prevailing preferred learning styles or if the results are varied. You may choose to have students compose a report summarizing their results or fill out goal sheets you create and record activities they do and their progress toward realizing their learning goals, such as keeping a study log.

Teacher Tips

• You may want to tabulate students' results to ensure that you are not only using class activities that appeal to students preferred learning styles but also to help your students develop their weaker, less frequently used study skills.

More Ways

• There is also a version of the VARK learning style inventory for younger students at and one for athletes .

Program Areas

• ESL: English as a Second Language

Levels

• Intermediate High
• Advanced

Documents

• LearningStyleAssignment.doc - Learning Styles Assignment

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