Study Skills for Higher Education: VARK Model and Strategies

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the VARK model, a framework that categorizes learning styles into visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic preferences. The report delves into the characteristics of each learning style, examining how individuals acquire, process, and retain information based on their preferred modality. Furthermore, the report explores and evaluates additional strategies that can enhance learning, such as active learning and prompt feedback. By examining the interplay between learning styles and effective study techniques, the report aims to provide insights into how students can optimize their learning experiences and achieve better academic outcomes. The analysis is supported by relevant literature and research, providing a well-rounded understanding of the topic. The report concludes with recommendations for students and educators to improve learning effectiveness.

Study Skills for Higher
Education
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Different learning styles, VARK model and its main features....................................................3
Additional strategies that can improve learning..........................................................................5
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................5
RECOMMENDATIONS.................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7
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INTRODUCTION
Learning styles are referred as different contested and competing theories which intent to
account for differentiations in learning of an individual. Each individual has its different learning
style which helps them in learning new things (Covaci, 2019). This report covers different
learning styles in VARK model and its features. It also covers the other strategies which helps a
learner in improving learning. Apart from this, analysis and discussion of different styles of
learning and recommendations to improve learning of an individual are provided in this project.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Different learning styles, VARK model and its main features
The learning style of an individual is the preferential way in which and individual acquire,
process, comprehend as well as retain information. The learning styles of an individual rely on
emotional, environmental and cognitive factors along with the prior experience of an individual.
For the educators, it is necessary to understand that each individual is different and their learning
styles are also different. So, executing the best practice strategies in daily activities, assessment
and curriculum will help educator in providing learning to the individual in an effective way.
There are different models as well as theories regarding learning styles. The learning style of an
individual can be better understand by VARK model which outlines four learning styles
including visual, auditory, reading and kinesthetic (Moayyeri, 2015).
As the learning style of each individual is different, some students acquire information
easily when it is provided to them through a method or format that may confound from others.
The model was developed in the year 1992 by Neil D. Fleming and Coleen E. Mills. They
suggested 4 modalities which reflect the experiences of teachers and student. The learning styles
included in this model are mentioned below:
Visual learners: these are the learners who learns best by seeing things. These are the
individuals who best synthesize and internalize information at the time when it is presented in
front of them by using spider diagrams, graphs, charts, maps, labelled diagrams, flow charts,
hierarchy, symbolic arrows, circles as well as other devices which are utilized to represent the
information (Overview of VARK Learning Styles, 2019). As the learners who used visionary
style to learn tends to be holistic learner who are able to process information in best way when it
is represented to them. This learning style does not involve photographs or pictures. It includes
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the patterns, designs, shapes, whitespace as well as different formats which are utilized to convey
information.
Auditory learners: these are the most successful learners when they are provided with the
opportunity to listen the information provided to them vocally. The preference for information in
this type of learning style is 'heard or spoken'. As the learners with this style of learning may
sometimes not opt to take notes at the time of class to maintain their auditory attention, teachers
erroneously conclude that do students are less participated than then other people in the class
(Medina, García and Olguín, 2018). However, these individuals simply have decided to listen to
the educator with unbroken attention which is more valuable way to learn effectively in
comparison to note taking as it distracts them. The learners who fall in this category often find
success in activities of group where they asked to interact and discuss course materials with
others vocally.
Reading/ writing learners: the preference for information of these learners is displayed as
words. Learners who work best in this modality depicts a strong preference of learning for
written word. It involves both PowerPoint slide presentations handwritten information which is
presented in the class in handouts form and also provides opportunity to synthesize the content of
course in completion of assignments. Reading/ writing oriented learners must be encouraged to
take notes during class lectures to assist them in process information and recall it later when
needed. The mean emphasis of this preference is based on text input and output. These learners
are often addicted to dictionaries, internet, diaries, PowerPoint, quotations and words. They
prefer materials which are primarily based on text. These learners may benefit more through
developing presentations where they able to acquire large amount of information and then
transform it into presentation format (Wright and Stokes, 2015).
Kinaesthetic learners: they are the participatory learners who required to take an active role
in the process of learning to accomplish best educational outcomes. Sometimes they are also
known as tactile learners and they tend to focus all their senses equally in learning process. This
perceptual preference is associated with the utilisation of practice and experience. It involves
simulations, case studies, demonstrations, movies and videos of real things, practice and
applications (Miller, 2014). These learners have a strong preference to learn from experience of
doing practical things and they value their experiences background. Due to active nature of these
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learners, they often have difficult time succeeding in classroom settings. Hands on experience is
very crucial to kinaesthetic type of learners.
The VARK model of learning is popular among educators and students. This model helps
in understanding the different learning preferences of learners in an effective way. This helps
students in determining their learning style as well as using respective strategies which helps
them in becoming better learners (Rahiminia, and Rahiminia, 2017).
Additional strategies that can improve learning
Each individual brings some unique experiences and strengths as well as different degrees
of support from community and family. All these are the factors or things which influence the
learning of an individual. When a person interacts with others in meaningful context, the learning
is achieved. The educators have the potential to develop such impactful opportunities of learning
and nurture relationships with learners. There are various strategies that can help in improving
the learning of an individual. Some of the strategies are mentioned below:
Active learning: when active learning strategies are executed by the educators, then it
would help in getting better response from the learners as one-sided methods of lecture are not
fruitful to get attention of new generation learners. Providing learners with opportunity to
express their competencies and talents helps in making learning more enjoyable. Proposing age
related activities and bringing visual tools assist in making difference in the way learners express
themselves (Carpenter, Dearlove, and Marland, 2015).
Prompt feedbacks: this is also an effective strategy which helps in improving the learning of
a student. Providing valuable as well as constant feedback to learners is very crucial in order to
make them learn new lessons. Feedbacks would assist them to get an understanding about their
level of learning and provides them with an opportunity to clarify on difficult areas.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
There different learning styles including auditory, visual, reading/ writing and Kinaesthetic
learning. All these learning styles play crucial role foreign individual in acquiring learning.
VARK model helps an individual in determining their own learning style which help them in
learning in more effective way. We can learn from the experiences, and the information
presented to them by using tools like graphs, diagrams, charts etc. Apart from the VARK
learning styles, there are also some other styles of learning which a learner can be used to learn
in a more effective way (Hassan and Hegazy, 2015). These learning styles includes logical,
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social, solitary, naturalist learning styles. For mathematical and logical reasoning, when a learner
like to utilise brain, then they are termed as logical learner. When a learner prefers interpersonal
learning and is best in communicating and socializing with people, then they are social learners.
There are some learning strategies also like active learning, prompt feedbacks etc. which helps in
improving the learning of an individual in an effective and efficient way (Cottrell, 2019).
RECOMMENDATIONS
According to the above analysis and discussion, it is recommended that in order to improve
the learning, an individual should determine his or her own learning style and then execute
strategies accordingly as this assist them in becoming a better learner. Apart from this, it is also
necessary for the educator to adopt different strategies that help in providing opportunities to the
learners to learn in more effective way. The learning must be provided to the students in such a
way which is helpful for the learners to learn effectively.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that learning styles are the
preferential way that an individual acquire to learn new things. For visual learners, use of graph,
charts, maps, diagrams etc. is very effective as this helps learner in understanding information
presented to them appropriately. Apart from this, auditory learners prefer more to learn from
heard or spoken and the reading/ writing learners like to learn from written content and present
information through emails, PowerPoint presentations, etc. Determination of appropriate learning
style will help learners in learning effectively.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journal
Moayyeri, H., 2015. The impact of undergraduate students’ learning preferences (VARK Model)
on their language achievement. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 6(1),
pp.132-139.
Medina, A.M., García, F.J.C. and Olguín, J.A.M., 2018. Planning and allocation of digital
learning objects with augmented reality to higher education students according to the
VARK model. IJIMAI, 5(2), pp.53-57.
Wright, S. and Stokes, A., 2015. The application of VARK learning styles in introductory level
economics units. Issues in Educational Research, 25(1), p.62.
Rahiminia, E. and Rahiminia, H., 2017. Assessment of learning style based on VARK model
among the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Future of Medical
Education Journal, 7(4), pp.26-30.
Hassan, S. and Hegazy, A.E.F., 2015, April. A model recommends best machine learning
algorithm to classify learners based on their interactivity with moodle. In 2015 Second
International Conference on Computing Technology and Information Management
(ICCTIM) (pp. 49-54). IEEE.
Covaci, M., 2019. The VARK Model Investigated at the Students from PPPE. Journal of
Education Studies (JES) Volume I, (1).
Cottrell, S., 2019. The study skills handbook. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Miller, C.J., 2014. Implementation of a study skills program for entering at-risk medical
students. Advances in physiology education, 38(3), pp.229-234.
Carpenter, J., Dearlove, J. and Marland, J., 2015. Student skills and the Bradley agenda in
Australia. Higher Education Research & Development, 34(2), pp.284-297.
Online
Overview of VARK Learning Styles, 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.verywellmind.com/vark-learning-styles-2795156>
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