Study Management Series

Part 2: Your Learning Style

Do you want to have a go and try it out? Have you struggled with essays because you simply can’t recall the information you ‘heard’ in a lecture? Maybe you just prefer to phone a friend and talk it over? We are all naturally programmed to learn in different ways and a great way to optimize your learning is to find out what makes your learning clock tick.

The VAK model, an acronym for Visual, Aural (or Auditory) and Kinesthetic (sometimes called Tactile), is a model to define simply the way we take in information, and may just help us find study techniques to facilitate ultra-efficient learning.

Aural learners will usually prefer to listen to a lecture, talk over topics and have group discussions. A student who responds best to visual cues may prefer to watch a demonstration, draw pictures, write notes or use a flowchart. Those who learn kinesthetically often like to know how something will feel, touch it or simply attempt a task several times until they figure it out.

Most people use a combination of the three learning styles and by knowing what your preferred learning styles are, you can use relevant study techniques to maximise your learning efficacy. Try our fun quiz below and figure out your learning style make-up, then read below to get a few tips to help you study, relevant to your learning style.

Click on the answer you think is correct then the quiz will move onto the next question and your score will be recorded and displayed at the end.

 

Tips for Visual Learners:

• Use flashcards.
• Create a flowchart to organise the information you need to learn.
• Copy notes and draw pictures within your notes to highlight key points.
• Highlight important topics in your lecture notes/study books.
• Ask your teacher to use diagrams when explaining something.
• Use lots of colour for notes, pictures, flowcharts etc.

Tips for Aural Learners:

• Record your lectures.
• Read your notes aloud to yourself.
• Organise group discussions to talk about and explain topics.
• Play word association games.
• Actively listen to your inner voice while reading notes/textbooks.
• Make up a jingle or put a tune to your notes.

Tips for Kinesthetic Learners:

• Make sure you attend all practical classes.
• Teach someone else how to do what you are trying to learn.
• Get together with a group and role play.
• Study in short, regular blocks.
• Take a short walk and try to imagine your notes while you are walking.
• Hold books/notes while you read them rather than sitting them on the table.
• Chew gum or bounce your foot while you study. This can help satisfy your natural craving to move around.