VARK has been one of the most popular learning models in recent decades. The model was developed at the beginning of the 1990s by Neil Fleming, a school inspector at the time. According to this model, people can be categorized into Visual, Auditory, Reading, and Kinesthetic learners, which defines how they prefer the information to be presented and how they perceive it better. The model involves a VARK questionnaire, which helps teachers identify the learning styles of their students. Despite the popularity of Fleming’s approach, many studies have demonstrated that defining someone’s learning style does not help them learn more effectively (Khazan). Instead, when people complete the questionnaire, it simply tells them what way of information presentation they like more.
Being aware of this preferred way and using it does not help students memorize more information or analyze it more effectively. Learning strategies that correlated with the student’s learning styles were equally successful for students from different categories. In turn, the preferences of different students were explained by the fact that many of them have developed certain habits that were too difficult to change (Khazan). While students were quite interested in their learning styles, they were not as eager to change their studying tendencies and behaviors based on those styles. Even when people tried to use strategies correlated with their learning styles, it did not produce productive results. Another study has also found that visual learners performed best al all types of tests (Khazan). As a result, it was concluded that teachers could be recommended to concentrate on strengthening students’ visual skills instead of trying to tailor lesson materials to fit auditory, reading, or kinesthetic needs.
Work Cited
Khazan, Olga. “The Myth of ‘Learning Styles’.” The Atlantic, 2021, Web.