NRS 429 Assignment VARK Analysis Paper
Introduction
A learning style is a technique through which learners collect, search through, interpret, organize, make conclusions, and preserve knowledge. Learning styles are grouped as per sensory approaches; namely, visual, aural, read or write, and kinesthetic (Whitney, 2018). Visual learning style is whereby learners understand by use of visual tools while in aural, they understand well when they listen to instructions. The read or write learners learn best through reading or writing while in the kinesthetic group, learners gain knowledge and understanding when they are allowed to touch and feel (Whitney, 2018). The purpose of this paper will be to explore learning styles and strategies for learners. I will include a summary of my learning style as per the VARK questionnaire and the importance of identifying learning styles for educators and in health promotion.
A learning style is a technique through which learners collect, search through, interpret, organize, make conclusions, and preserve knowledge. Learning styles are grouped as per sensory approaches; namely, visual, aural, read or write, and kinesthetic (Whitney, 2018). Visual learning style is whereby learners understand b
y use of visual tools while in aural, they understand well when they listen to instructions. The read or write learners learn best through reading or writing while in the kinesthetic group, learners gain knowledge and understanding when they are allowed to touch and feel (Whitney, 2018). The purpose of this paper will be to explore learning styles and strategies for learners. I will include a summary of my learning style as per the VARK questionnaire and the importance of identifying learning styles for educators and in health promotion.
Personal Learning Style
My learning style preference, according to the VARK questionnaire, is Strong Kinesthetic (VARK 2019). Kinesthetic preference is described as one that a learner uses experiences and real things even when they are displayed as images and on screens. My VARK results were as follows: visual-0, Aural 4, Read or Write- 3, and Kinesthetic 9 (VARK 2019). As per my learning style, I prefer to have more experiences to enhance understanding of concepts.
Preferred Learning Strategy
My preferred learning strategy is using practical experiences and real-life case studies to solve problems. By using a practical approach, I understand the concept better and also retain it for an extended period. Besides, I consider ideas to be valuable if they sound real, practical and relevant to me. I also need to do things practically to understand. Furthermore, I prefer a feedback that involves a face-to-face discussion whereby I am shown examples of projects that demonstrate success or failure. Moreover, I prefer trainers who use examples of real-life occurrences when explaining a point since I remember the examples and relate them with the concept learned. When assessing my understanding, I look at case studies and try to solve them with the gained knowledge to determine if the theory is valuable to real-life situations.
My learning style is in line with the identified learning strategies identified for individuals with a kinesthetic strategy.
According to the VARK results, people with my learning style preference like to be trained or learn through practical exercises, examples, experiences, case studies, trial and error, and using things that are real (VARK 2019). They prefer learning from autobiographies and documentaries and applications before studying theories. Besides, they prefer to have demonstrations done before applying what they have learned and like having conversations about the real things in their lives (VARK 2019). Their own experiences are more valuable than the experiences of others, and they prefer undertaking activities with others through actions and making things happen (VARK 2019). Furthermore, they enjoy working on practical problems where they gain problem-solving techniques.
Importance of Identifying Learning Styles for Learners as an Educator
An individual’s learning style determines the degree to which one acquires knowledge and skills since individuals understand better either by visualizing, hearing, reading, or being hands on (Whitney, 2018). Further, individuals learn better when the teaching style used suits their learning style hence making them memorize what they learned during the educational activity. When educators promote a learning environment that addresses the learning styles of learners, the latter can study better and feel more comfortable in their unique styles rather than having to adapt to the changing teaching styles used by the former (Bastable, 2017). Educators need to identify the learning styles and preferences of learners since it helps not only the educator but also the learner in being more effective in the learning process.
Also Check Out: NRS 430 Assignment Professional Development of Nursing Professionals
By understanding a learner’s learning style; an educator can determine the type of teaching method, resources and teaching methods to use. For instance, auditory learners will best learn through discussions, tape recordings, seminars, and discussions, and they will probably enquire on what they have not understood (Bastable, 2017). Besides, tests for auditory learners will be best conducted using oral examinations. Moreover, by making learners aware of their learning style, educators can empower them to identify the necessity of each learning style for various disciplines.
Learning Styles and Health Promotion
Health providers need to identify the learning styles of individuals when conducting health promotion to ensure that they will learn, understand and practice the health messages provided to promote better health outcomes. Individuals tend to be interested in health education messages when their learning style is considered during health promotion (Kangovi & Asch, 2018). Learning styles affect behavior change as individuals modify their behaviors based on what they saw, heard or practiced in the health promotion programs. An individual’s learning style determines the possibility of modification of behavior as the patient understand and master information faster and easier when their learning preferences are utilized (Kangovi & Asch, 2018). The different learning styles can be accommodated in health promotion by targeting all the senses when providing health education (Sharma, 2016). For instance, when educating individuals on the prevention of diseases, lectures and seminars can be held which target auditory learners and images and videos can enhance the sessions to target visual and kinesthetic learners. In addition, health education pamphlets can be administered for individuals to read further, which targets read and write learners (Sharma, 2016). During health promotion sessions, case studies can be presented for the learners to discuss and come up with solutions which can suit kinesthetic and auditory learners.
Conclusion
In summary, learning styles, according to VARK, include visual, aural, read or write, and kinesthetic. Learners learn best when the teaching style is tailored to suit their learning style. It is, therefore, essential for educators to identify their learners learning style to promote a comfortable learning environment and enhance their understanding. It is also essential for health educators to understand the learning styles of individuals, including their patients during health promotion programs. Modification of behavior is enhanced by the utilization of appropriate teaching styles that suit learner’s preferences. Besides, different learning styles can be incorporated during health promotion programs to meet the preferences of all learners.
References
Bastable, S. B. (2017). Nurse as educator: Principles of teaching and learning for nursing practice. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Kangovi, S., & Asch, D. A. (2018). Behavioral phenotyping in health promotion: embracing or avoiding failure. Jama, 319(20), 2075-2076.
Sharma, M. (2016). Theoretical foundations of health education and health promotion. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Whitney, S. (2018). Teaching and learning styles. Health promotion: Health and wellness across the continuum. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/4
A learning style is a technique or the preferred way in which learners absorb, process, comprehend, and retain knowledge. There are various learning styles which are categorized based on the sensible approaches, which are either visual, auditory, read or write, and kinesthetic. The learning styles are found within the VARK model of students learning. VARK is an acronym for the four primary learning styles Visual, Auditory, Read and Write and Kinesthetic (VARK, 2019). The VARK model recognizes that learners have various approaches on how they process information, typically known as the preferred leaning mode. This essay will discuss learning styles for learners and will include a description of my learning style based on the VARK questionnaire. The paper will also explore the importance of educators identifying learners’ learning styles and application of learning styles in health promotion.
Personal Learning Style According to the VARK Questionnaire
My learning style as per the VARK questionnaire is Very Strong Kinesthetic. The VARK questionnaire results were Visual-2, Aural-2, Read/Write- 2, and Kinesthetic-12. The Kinesthetic learning style is defined as one where a learner understands effectively by using experiences and real things even though they are exhibited as images or on screens (VARK, 2019). In the Kinesthetic learning style, I prefer to encounter several experiences to promote understanding of concepts. Furthermore, ideas become valuable if they seem practical, real, and relevant to me, and I need to do something to understand it.
Preferred Learning Strategies
The Kinesthetic learning style preference uses experiences and real things when they are presented in images and on screens. The preferred learning strategies in the Kinesthetic learning style include the use of autobiographies and documentaries, applications before learning theories, and the use of demonstrations and applying what one has learned (VARK, 2019). Individuals with kinesthetic preference prefer discussing real things in their life, prefer having their own experiences, doing thing things with others and making things happen through actions (VARK, 2019). In addition, they prefer tackling practical problems and using problem-solving techniques, they complete tasks and prefer outcomes that can be measured (VARK, 2019). Besides, they prefer being part of the team, being appreciated for their experiences and prefer interacting with individuals who apply their ideas as well as individuals who are relevant, concrete, and down-to-earth.
My preferred learning strategies are similar to a majority of the preferred learning strategies for the Kinesthetic learning style. For instance, I prefer learning to solve problems using real-life case scenarios and practical experiences since I understand things better and also retain the learned information for a more extended period. I understand concepts better when I learn them practically, such as through projects and lab practical. I prefer having a trainer who explains concepts using real-life scenarios, uses demonstrations to explain a theory, and allows me to apply theory in a real-life setting. When studying, I use case studies whereby I attempt solving the case scenarios to gauge my understanding of a concept. By using case studies and theory application, I can relate the information learned and find the information valuable and relevant.