Learning Styles Reflection using VARK questionnaire - English (version 3)

Kolb (1984) suggests that there are four types of learning. These involve 'Concrete Experience', 'Reflective Observation', 'Abstract Conceptualisation' and 'Active Experimentation'. Kolb explains that this is a continuous learning circle, and any person can begin the circle at any point. The person may start in active experimentation; thus meaning they have tried a new skill, which then gives them concrete experience into what they have just learnt that they can then reflect on and apply it to other subject areas.


The Vark questionnaire asks the reader different questions of how the reader would prefer to learn in different scenarios. The reader then uses the scoring chart, calculates their score and find what type of learning style best suits them.


For myself, I found that I am a kinaesthetic learner, meaning that I am suited best when I actively learn. Kinaesthetic learners generally tend to be tactile and have a more 'hands on' approach. However, in terms of adapting to different learning styles, people with this type of learning style tend not to enjoy reading vast amounts of material.


When I apply this to myself, I find that in most cases before anything will 'sink in’; I have to try it myself. Whether this is driving, cooking a new recipe or using a new computer game. In reflection, it would be prudent to mention, that many of the subject areas I have applied myself to over the years, many of them I wouldn’t be able to explain to another person clearly once I had had the exam. This prompts two questions; the areas we have supposedly learnt over these years, could we apply them to different scenarios showing that we have a semantic level of learning i.e. deep learning has occurred. Or have we trained our brains to with hold information for a brief period of time to only be forgotten once the exam is over?


In my scoring sheet, I did have some marks in other categories, such as visual learning. Meaning that I prefer flow diagrams and images, this enables me to ensure as much information as possible is retained in learning, by making use of the results from the questionnaire. It tells me that images as well as applying the new knowledge that I have acquired will result in the most effective learning for me.