Vark Analysis

VARK AnalysisCarolyn RolenGrand Canyon UniversityJuly 16, 2019IntroductionDifferent individuals have different levels of understanding of educational materials. It is therefore imperative for there to be diverse learning styles to accommodate the disparities portrayed from person to person. Neil Fleming designed a sixteen question assessment in 1987 that provided a specific learning profile for those who took the questionnaire. The VARK included these learning styles; (visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic). There are several learning styles utilized by educators, which have varied attributes (Almigbal, 2015). Learners have different ways of grasping information disseminated by their educators, depending on personalized preferences which rely on the method that is perceived to be most useful. It is therefore important for learners and educators to understand the most convenient learning approaches to utilize in order to achieve academic excellence.Summary of the diverse learning approachesThe four learning approaches have their own unique characteristics. The visual approach concentrates on the use of diagrammatic images to elucidate information. For example, learners may be taught how to accomplish a task by the provision of pictorial representation of the correct formula used when performing the tasks (Zhu et al., 2018). By looking at the pictures, the learner can then carry out the activity effectively. It comprises the use of materials that give information by looking at them including maps and charts. The aural approach, on the other hand, makes use of voice notes to pass information to a learner. They learn how to execute tasks by listening to explanations on how tasks should be carried out and following the voice prompts disseminated to perform them. Lectures and group discussions are among the common methods of aural approaches to learning. Read and write is another vital approach used in educating and learning process. The approach relies on the use of drafted information to provide information. While using the read and write approach, learners are required to conceptualize contextual information before accomplishing assigned tasks. For example, they are required to read drafted information on how to perform a task and follow the provided information (Vasileva-Stojanovska et al., 2015). Consequently, the kinesthetic approach utilizes practical examples in educating learners on how to perform activities. Learners are educated by a practical illustration of how activities are supposed to be conducted, and then they are given a chance to emulate the steps performed by the educator. Multi-modal approach, on the other hand, utilizes a combination of more than one of the learning approaches to increase understanding of the subject of interest. The kinesthetic approach in nursingNursing is a sensitive course that requires a total grasp of information because it entails taking care of human subjects. The kinesthetic approach is my preferential learning method because it encapsulates the use of practical illustrations of how things should be done in real life situations, and the learners are given a chance to perform the actual tasks under the supervision of a tutor. It ensures that they have totally mastered the concepts that they have been taught and can comfortably perform basic nursing tasks (Zhu et al., 2018). For example, during routine hospitals rounds with their mentors, learners can be given an illustration of how to perform basic clinical functions such as starting an IV. They are then given the chance to attempt with necessary corrections when they error. The approach enables the learner to master various techniques, and paves a way to professional expertise. Though the other approaches are equally important, in nursing, the kinesthetic approach is important as it builds the learners' confidence in performing tasks that are important in their future careers (Zhu et al., 2018). Should I choose a career as mentor in the future, I would be able to know how to disseminate information to learners in a way that they will understand and be able to practically use it in their work as nurses.Significance of different learning approaches to educators and learnersThe understanding levels of learners vary as illustrated by the diverse learning approaches that they embrace. Some learners understand concepts when they are taught using visual representations, others prefer to listen to explanations while others prefer to be practically demonstrated to before they grasp what they are being taught (Amigbal, 2015). The understanding of the learners depends on how well they have mastered the material they are taught. Therefore, the learning methods used will determine their performance levels. When their preferred approaches are utilized, they gain a better understanding of the subject and can there exhibit positive outcomes. On the other hand, when other methods that they don't understand fully are used, they fail to grasp the concept well hence portray negative outcomes. The educators can help learners achieve more in their endeavors by identifying the learners' preferred approaches and incorporating them in lectures. Significance of learning approaches in health promotionsHealth promotions are important in educating masses on desired traits that can promote their general well-being. For participants to fully grasp the concepts being taught and exhibit positive outcomes such as behavioral change, their preferred learning approaches should be incorporated. Evidently, it is difficult to identify the learning approaches of every individual when dealing with a large group of people (Vasileva-Stojanovska, 2015). To ensure that every individual understands and is able to emulate the health attributes taught during health promotion, all the diverse approaches should be used concurrently to ensure that the entire multitude understands the imparted information.Conclusion Understanding and utilizing different learning approaches is significant to both educators and learners. Educators are able to understand their learners and the approaches that suit them most hence they are able to help them excel academically. It is also vital to class participants as understanding their preferred approaches helps them know how to grasp diverse concepts and remember them for long, especially in areas where they are experiencing difficulties.ReferencesWhitney, S. (2018). CCC Web books by AWS & CDD. Teaching and Learning Styles. Health Promotion: Health & Wellness Across the Continuum. Grand Canyon University (Ed). Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com.nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/#/chapter/1Almigbal, T. H. (2015). Relationship between the learning style preferences of medical students and academic achievement. Saudi medical journal, 36(3), 349.Vasileva-Stojanovska, T., Malinovski, T., Vasileva, M., Jovevski, D., & Trajkovik, V. (2015). Impact of satisfaction, personality and learning style on educational outcomes in a blended learning environment. Learning and Individual Differences, 38, 127-135.Zhu, H. R., Zeng, H., Zhang, H., Zhang, H. Y., Wan, F. J., Guo, H. H., & Zhang, C. H. (2018). The preferred learning styles utilizing VARK among nursing students with bachelor degrees and associate degrees in China. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem, 31(2), 162-169.