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
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