Personalized Study Techniques According to Your VARK Learning Style

For decades, the idea that people have different learning styles has been widespread. While there isn’t much evidence actually proving this, the idea might still be helpful for those looking to learn new information. In this article, we’ll discuss one of the most popular models: VARK learning styles.

The VARK stands for visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. According to the VARK model, there are four different types of learners. Each type learns best in a different way. Visual learners, for example, might prefer to learn new information by examining diagrams. On the other hand, auditory learners might better process new information by listening to someone explain it to them.

The idea that people learn in different ways is not unique to the VARK model. In fact, it was first proposed in 1983 by Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist at Harvard University. He divided intelligence into eight categories:

• Visual-spatial

• Verbal-linguistic

• Musical-rhythmic

• Logical-mathematical

• Interpersonal

• Intrapersonal

• Naturalistic

• Bodily-kinesthetic

This idea of different types of intelligence was very different from earlier ideas, like IQ. In 1987, 4 years after Gardner’s theory was published, Neil Fleming proposed the VARK model.

While the categories in Fleming’s VARK model can feel intuitive to some people, and might be helpful for those looking to structure or improve their studying, they don’t need to be set in stone. That is, it’s perfectly fine if you feel drawn to multiple learning styles. You might learn some information better through visual techniques, while other topics may require listening to an explanation, and so on. Using multiple models like this is called multimodal learning.

VARK model categorizes learners in four ways: visual learners, who prefer looking at visual information; auditory learners, who learn best by listening; those who learn best by reading and writing; and people who prefer to use hands-on activities and movement to learn new information.

Then, of course, there are multimodal learners – people who use more than one of the VARK learning styles.

The VARK learning styles might seem intuitive – after all, they are by definition meant to explain how you learn, a fundamental part of your human nature – but they still bear some explaining. After all, if you’ve only ever been taught visually, the idea that you could learn information through movement might seem impossible. Therefore, diving into each of the four modalities could help you figure out new and better ways to study and learn.

Visual learning is, simply put, the process of taking in new information through looking. That might entail watching a movie or a tutorial. It might mean analyzing charts, graphs, or other visualizations. Actually, it could be as simple as watching someone perform the task you are trying to learn.

There are plenty of examples of visual learning in the world. The diagrams that instruct you how to construct furniture or models from brands like IKEA or LEGO are some of the most famous examples of visual learning. These instruction booklets often have no text at all. Pictures and diagrams alone instruct people on how to construct the desired object.

Visual learning has several advantages. Perhaps the most obvious is universality. One of the reasons global brands like IKEA and LEGO use diagrams without text is to overcome language barriers. Written instructions can only be understood by someone fluent in the language the instructions are written in. Pictures, however, can be understood by many more people. Similarly, just about anyone can learn something by watching someone do it.

So, are you a visual learner? Not sure? Here are some questions you might consider to decide if visual learning is for you:

• Can you picture things clearly in your mind? If you visualize new information to remember it, or look at things with your mind’s eye during recall, you might be a visual learner.

• How important are aesthetics to you? Different people pay attention to different things, and visual learners might be more attuned to the ways things appear.

• Do you need to see to believe? While some people can understand and remember things without actually seeing them, visual learners often need to lay eyes on things to really get them.

Auditory learning is another popular learning style. It’s also known as aural learning. In short, this learning style is all about listening.

Examples of auditory learning are everywhere. Lectures are one of the most popular examples – or unpopular, if you don’t like them or have a bad lecturer. Tech support is another example of auditory learning, as is any occasion where you have to follow instructions given to you over the phone. In that vein, podcasts and online tutorials are other examples of auditory learning that are growing in popularity.

One of the major advantages of auditory learning is how easy it is. You don’t need any materials to transfer information. Instead, all you need is someone to tell you that information. The simplicity of auditory learning makes it one of the oldest methods of transferring information. Humans have been passing on information through generations for thousands of years, long before technology like writing was invented.

Are you an auditory learner? Consider the following:

• Do you read out loud? That doesn’t necessarily just mean loud in a literal sense. Even mouthing the words as you go could count. Doing this could imply that you are more of an auditory learner.

• Would you prefer a book or an audiobook? The notes from a lecture or a recording of the talk? This might seem obvious, but choosing the latter strongly implies you are an auditory learner.

• Could you imagine creating songs, rhymes, or other musical bits to help remember stuff? Being drawn to these kinds of recall tricks is a strong sign of auditory learning.

Reading and writing is the third modality in the VARK model. It’s also one of the most common types of learning in school and at work. Reading and writing learners process information best when it is presented to them in the form of text. They prefer to read things, rather than look at them or listen to them.

Textbooks are perhaps the most obvious example of reading and writing learning. Sure, some textbooks might contain pictures, graphs, diagrams, or other instances of visual learning – some even have audio components attached – but the majority of the information within textbooks is conveyed via the written word. In fact, books in general are the chief example of reading and writing learning. There are more examples, though, such as those hosted on the Internet. Blogs and articles, for example, are often mostly text-based.

One advantage of reading and writing learning is the potential for mass production. A single book can contain a vast amount of information and be shared between many people. In this way, written information results in concepts and ideas being spread faster and farther in a shorter period of time than, for example, information passed on aurally.

The growing awareness of learning disorders like dyslexia has highlighted the fact that many people might not learn best by reading and writing. But are you a reading and writing learner? If you’re unsure, consider the following questions:

• Are you a bookworm? Do you love reading? This is the most obvious sign of someone who learns well through the written word.

• During lectures or classes, do you take plenty of notes? While auditory learners might simply listen to the lecturer, reading and writing learners often prefer to take detailed notes to help them understand and remember.

• Do you like handouts, lists, presentations, and other similar methods of displaying and conveying information? Would you write out topics to revise them?

Kinesthetic is perhaps the least common modality among the four VARK learning types. It involves movement. Kinesthetic learners perform best when they are able to move – to touch something, for example, or try a technique out for themselves.

This type of learning is most obvious when it comes to learning new skills. A painter, for example, will almost always learn best when they are able to actually paint. The same is usually true for other hands-on skills, such as cooking, sports, arts and crafts, and so on.

One of the main advantages of kinesthetic learning is that it can be more fun than other types of learning. Therefore, it might better retain the interest of those who are trying to learn. Additionally, incorporating movement into learning can help utilize parts of our brains associated with spatial memory, which makes remembering complex or large volumes of information easier.

Are you a kinesthetic learner? Consider the following questions:

• Do you find yourself becoming bored during lectures? If even the most engaging lecturer fails to capture and hold your attention, you might be a person who needs to actually do something to learn it.

• Are you good at hands-on skills, like arts-and-crafts? Because these are more commonly taught via kinesthetic learning techniques than other types of information, they might be more popular among kinesthetic learners.

• Have you found that you need to actually try something to learn it? Some people can watch all the tutorials in the world, but won’t actually learn anything until they actually attempt the thing they are being taught. These types of learners might not sit through an entire tutorial, for example. Instead, they might actively attempt the task while watching the tutorial, learning as they try.

Remember, kinesthetic learning doesn’t have to only apply to hands-on skills. Incorporating movement into learning can be done more generally. For example, you might find it helpful to move around while revising something. Or you might try utilizing spatial memory techniques, like mind palaces, to recall information.

Visual learning goes beyond simply looking at pictures. There are all kinds of methods for studying that utilize visual learning techniques to help you learn faster and remember more.

Organizing information visually is a great way for visual learners to process and recall. Instead of writing out information, try intentionally structuring it using a diagram, mind map, flowchart, or other visual method. Each technique can be helpful for different types of information. Mind maps, for example, can help you associate things with a particular keyword or topic. Flowcharts, on the other hand, are perfect for understanding and recalling sequences of information, where cause and effect are important.

Visual learners often do well with color. A good set of highlighters can be invaluable to a visual learner looking to process large volumes of information. Try using different colors to categorize information.

For visual learners, hours spent reading a textbook might sound like torture. If that’s you, try making studying more effective by incorporating different visual aids. Video tutorials are a great example. There are plenty of free, high-quality videos available on almost any topic.

If the above techniques sound terrible to you, don’t worry. You might be an auditory learner, in which case read on – we’ve got some learning methods that’ll be right up your alley.

Video tutorials can actually be great for auditory learners, as long as the lecture doesn’t use too many visual aids. Audiobooks are also a fantastic option. The great thing about learning from audio resources is that you can do something else while you listen.

Research has repeatedly demonstrated the benefits of explaining something to another person in order to fully understand and remember it. Participating in group discussions not only gives you the chance to process information properly, it also affords auditory learners the chance to hear from multiple different perspectives.

Don’t be put off by the potential silliness of these auditory resources. In fact, rhymes and mnemonics that are funnier and more ridiculous may well be more memorable. Let your imagination run wild!

Reading and writing is perhaps the stereotypical method of study, and that’s for good reason. For many people, few things are as effective as reading information and writing out what you want to remember. Just be aware that merely copying notes is less effective than writing something original, like a summary.

With that in mind, the first technique for those who learn best by reading and writing is – well – reading and writing. As the author of your study notes and summaries, you have the power to write exactly what you need to remember. Skip over the unimportant stuff and focus on the parts that challenge you.

The Internet has made reading more accessible than ever before. There’s a wealth of information out there, from lengthy tomes at your local library to concise articles on any number of blogs. The best thing is that lots of it is free.

Actually putting your recall skills to work is a great way to reinforce learning and solidify understanding. If you find you need your notes to help you complete practice writing assignments, don’t worry too much – you’ll still be improving your learning.

Kinesthetic learning is somewhat less common than the other three modalities, at least for classically academic subjects. Don’t discount the ability of tactile techniques for helping you master new information, though.

Getting your hands dirty is simply a must in many fields. You can watch any number of tutorials on how to paint, for example, but you won’t become a painter until you actually put your brushes to use.

Computers and other digital devices have revolutionized learning, but there’s still something to be said about learning with physical objects. Actually holding a model of something you’re trying to learn – a chemical molecule, for example – could be what makes it click for you.

Your brain is likely better at remembering spaces than you think. Tapping into this spatial memory to help you recall other information is a not-so-secret technique used by memory masters around the world. You don’t even have to become an expert at building mind palaces to do this, either. Try simply walking around in a specific location while reviewing one topic.

Now, you might find yourself drawn to one of the four VARK learning styles, but don’t let yourself become pigeonholed. Combining different styles for different tasks and topics can be a great way to supercharge your learning.

For example, some things almost require certain types of learning. Throughout this article, we’ve mentioned painting multiple times. It’s a good example, because you really can’t become a painter without actually doing it – in other words, without using the kinesthetic technique of trying it yourself. Any painting teacher worth their salt will have you do this. Just think of Bob Ross, who always emphasized painting along with his famous tutorials.

Bob Ross is actually another good example of combining different VARK styles. After all, his soothing voice is a famous example of how listening to information can be a great way to learn. And actually seeing him perform certain painting techniques is a picture book example of visual learning.

In short, the four modalities that make up the VARK learning styles should be viewed more as helpful guides to improving your learning, rather than ironclad categories or rules to be followed without exception. Pick and choose from the techniques and methods listed here, discarding what doesn’t work for you and keeping what does. After all, everyone is different, so it’s only natural that many people will have different learning styles!