Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

Students learn best by seeing the value and importance of the information presented in the classroom. If the students are not interested in the material presented, they will not learn it. In order to achieve the ultimate goal of student learning it is important to use a combination of teaching methods and to make the classroom environment as stimulating and interactive as possible.

Each learner differs in understanding the concept taught to them. There are students who can understand better through visual aids or through hands on activities. As teachers we are the very good example to prove this. We are the great observers of our students who can modify the lessons according to each individuals learning spectrum. Here is the importance of VAK learning styles which enables a teacher to cascade lessons according to the requirement of her students.

Every learner is different, hence there are different learning styles. We all process information in different ways.

The VAK model describes learners as VISUAL, AUDITORY and KINESTHETIC.

Let us see in detail;

Visual learners tend to:

•     Learn through seeing

•    Think in pictures and need to create vivid mental images to retain information

•    Enjoy looking at maps, charts, pictures, videos, and movies

•    Have visual skills which are demonstrated in puzzle building, reading, writing, understanding charts and graphs, a good sense of direction, sketching, painting, creating visual metaphors and analogies (perhaps through the visual arts), manipulating images, constructing, fixing, designing practical objects, and interpreting visual images.

 

Auditory learners tend to:

•     Learn through listening

•    Have highly developed auditory skills and are generally good at speaking and presenting

•    Think in words rather than pictures

•    Learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say

•    Have auditory skills demonstrated in listening, speaking, writing, storytelling, explaining, teaching, using humour, understanding the syntax and meaning of words, remembering information, arguing their point of view, and analysing language usage.

 

Kinaesthetic learners tend to:

•     Learn through moving, doing and touching

•    Express themselves through movement

•    Have good sense of balance and eye-hand coordination

•    Remember and process information through interacting with the space around them

•    Find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration

•    Have skills demonstrated in physical coordination, athletic ability, hands on experimentation, using body language, crafts, acting, miming, using their hands to create or build, dancing, and expressing emotions through the body.

Benefits of VAK learning styles are:

•     Caters to every learner in a one way or the other.

•    Encourages active participation among learners

•    Makes lesson interesting (Ex: when students watch video clips, then go for group discussion or practical activity)

•    Success in learning for the individual

•    Helps in differentiation in classroom

•    helps in supporting Learning Disability Students