And when thinking over the learning style, time management is a very important element for me. Modern life is pushing people much more busy than before, so the methods of collecting information effectively are preferred. I believe many people share the same opinion. Just imagine if I already retired, I may choose quite different learning ways. So I feel, my current choices are not necessarily the best learning style in terms of educational growth, but a effective compromise of time and results.
http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/?p=questionnaire
Your VARK Results
Your scores were:
1st try
•Visual 9
•Aural 11
•Read/Write 2
•Kinesthetic 5
2nd try
•Visual 14
•Aural 12
•Read/Write 2
•Kinesthetic 5
You have a multimodal learning preference. (VA)
Use the following page for study strategies that apply to your learning preference:
•Multimodal strategies
•Visual Strategies
•Aural Strategies
Multimodal Strategies
These are the various combinations of the four preferences below. If your VARK Profile is for Visual and Kinesthetic (VK) you will need to use those two descriptions and key words in the strategies below.
•Visual Strategies
•Aural Strategies
•Read/Write Strategies
•Kinesthetic Strategies
Keep in mind that some people with a multimodal preference need to have the same material presented in several of their modes in order to really learn it, while others can effectively learn using any single one of their multiple preferences.
My reflection:
In my opinion, V, A, R, K respectively represents our senses about collecting and analyzing information. Somehow I feel with more channels, people may have better learning results.
Visual Strategies
Key words: different formats, space, graphs, charts, diagrams, maps and plans
Description: This preference uses symbolism and different formats, fonts and colors to emphasise important points. It does not include video and pictures that show real images and it is not Visual merely because it is shown on a screen.
If you have a strong Visual preference for learning you should use some or all of the following:
INTAKE
To take in the information:
•lecturers who use gestures and picturesque language
•pictures, videos, posters, slides
•flowcharts
•underlining, different colours, highlighters
•textbooks with diagrams and pictures
•graphs
•symbols
SWOT – Study without tears
To make a learnable package:
Convert your “notes” into a learnable package by reducing them (3:1)
•Use all of the techniques above
•Reconstruct the images in different ways… try different spatial arrangements.
•Redraw your pages from memory
•Replace words with symbols or initials
•Look at your pages.
OUTPUT
To perform well in any test, assignment or examination:
•Draw things, use diagrams
•Write exam answers
•Recall the pictures made by your pages
•Practice turning your visuals back into words
You want the whole picture so you are probably holistic rather than reductionist in your approach. You are often swayed by the look of an object.
You are interested in color and layout and design and you know where you are.
You are probably going to draw something.
My reflection:
A picture is equal to a thousand words, which is very true when you try to compare data, describe process, etc. Maybe I have the engineering background and I automatically want to use charts or diagram for scientific topics, but it does not mean I'm good at drawing. It just makes easier to get the point.
Aural Strategies
Key words: listening, discussing, talking, questioning, recalling
Description: This preference is for information that is spoken or heard and the use of questioning is an important part of a learning strategy for those with this preference.
If you have a strong preference for learning by Aural methods (A = hearing) you should use some or all of the following:
INTAKE
To take in the information:
•attend classes
•attend discussions and tutorials
•discuss topics with others
•discuss topics with your teachers
•explain new ideas to other people
•use a tape recorder
•remember the interesting examples, stories, jokes…
•describe the overheads, pictures and other visuals to somebody who was not there
•leave spaces in your notes for later recall and ‘filling’
SWOT – Study without tears
To make a learnable package:
Convert your “notes” into a learnable package by reducing them (3:1)
•Your notes may be poor because you prefer to listen. You will need to expand your notes by talking with others and collecting notes from the textbook.
•Put your summarised notes onto tapes and listen to them.
•Ask others to ‘hear’ your understanding of a topic.
•Read your summarised notes aloud.
•Explain your notes to another ‘aural’ person.
OUTPUT
To perform well in any test, assignment or examination:
•Imagine talking with the examiner.
•Listen to your voices and write them down.
•Spend time in quiet places recalling the ideas.
•Practice writing answers to old exam questions.
•Speak your answers aloud or inside your head.
You prefer to have this page explained to you.
The written words are not as valuable as those you hear.
You will probably go and tell somebody about this.
My reflection:
It's always easier for me to listen to one's presentation rather than to read one's book. I can catch the points not only from presenter's words, but also his or her modility. There is more information delivered in a speech than bare texts.
Further more, compare to our visual sense, our aural sense is "free of charge". I mean, when you look at something, you need focus on what you are looking at and ignore other visible things, that is, you spend your time and mind on it. You lose the opportunity cost at that moment. But when you listen to something, you can still hear every aural sources and no need to focus. You can share a little your brain CPU capacity if needed. Therefore, this process can be parallel to other processes, that is, you save the opportunity cost for other things, say "free of charge".
Therefore I do use aural sources as much as possible. The best options are audio books, lecture soundtracks, etc.
Even I'm not a R or K. It's also good to quote them here.
Read/Write Strategies
Key words:
lists, notes and text in all its formats and whether in print or online.
Description:
This preference uses the printed word as the most important way to convey and receive information.
If you have a strong preference for learning by Reading and Writing (R & W) learning you should use some or all of the following:
INTAKE
To take in the information:
•lists
•headings
•dictionaries
•glossaries
•definitions
•handouts
•textbooks
•readings – library
•notes (often verbatim)
•teachers who use words well and have lots of information in sentences and notes
•essays
•manuals (computing and laboratory)
SWOT – Study without tears
To make a learnable package:
Convert your “notes” into a learnable package by reducing them (3:1)
•Write out the words again and again.
•Read your notes (silently) again and again.
•Rewrite the ideas and principles into other words.
•Organize any diagrams, graphs … into statements, e.g. “The trend is…”
•Turn reactions, actions, diagrams, charts and flows into words.
•Imagine your lists arranged in multiple choice questions and distinguish each from each.
OUTPUT
To perform well in any test, assignment or examination:
•Write exam answers.
•Practice with multiple choice questions.
•Write paragraphs, beginnings and endings.
•Write your lists (a,b,c,d,1,2,3,4).
•Arrange your words into hierarchies and points.
You like this page because the emphasis is on words and lists.
You believe the meanings are within the words, so any talk is OK but this handout is better.
You are heading for the library.
My reflection:
In academic world, you cannot avoid reading papers, so R is a basic and necessary method in learning. Within R, I appreciate well structured texts, bullets, etc, so that I can get an overview of what could be expected. Paragraphs of long stories make me feel lost.
Kinesthetic Strategies
Key words:
senses, practical exercises, examples, cases, trial and error.
Description:
This preference uses your experiences and the things that are real even when they are shown in pictures and on screens.
If you have a strong Kinesthetic preference for learning you should use some or all of the following:
INTAKE
To take in the information:
•all your senses – sight, touch, taste, smell, hearing …
•laboratories
•field trips
•field tours
•examples of principles
•lecturers who give real-life examples
•applications
•hands-on approaches (computing)
•trial and error
•collections of rock types, plants, shells, grasses…
•exhibits, samples, photographs…
•recipes – solutions to problems, previous exam papers
SWOT – Study without tears
To make a learnable package:
Convert your “notes” into a learnable package by reducing them (3:1)
•Your lecture notes may be poor because the topics were not ‘concrete’ or ‘relevant’.
•You will remember the “real” things that happened.
•Put plenty of examples into your summary. Use case studies and applications to help with principles and abstract concepts.
•Talk about your notes with another “K” person.
•Use pictures and photographs that illustrate an idea.
•Go back to the laboratory or your lab manual.
•Recall the experiments, field trip…
OUTPUT
To perform well in any test, assignment or examination:
•Write practice answers, paragraphs…
•Role play the exam situation in your own room.
You want to experience the exam so that you can understand it.
The ideas on this page are only valuable if they sound practical, real, and relevant to you.
You need to do things to understand.
My reflection:
In my study I often find it difficult to do "hands-on" tasks. My hands are clumsy to bring my thoughts out into reality. But whenever an operation is done successfully, the learning is solid and effective.
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