It is a widely known concept that every person has his/her unique abilities. Everyone is gifted with different abilities which enables a person to learn and apply what has been learned. Every person has his/her own learning style. Educators have been utilizing this concept in an attempt to maximize learning among students. In line with this, they use countless methods, strategies, and techniques to deliver lessons to their learners. However, even with the various teaching methods used in delivering subject matter, there are times that they simply do not fit the learners.
According to Neil Fleming’s VARK Model of Student Learning, there are four types of learning styles namely Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing Preference, and Kinesthetic (VARK). Visual Learners prefer the use of pictures, images, and other forms of graphics to access, learn, and understand a new information. Auditory learners, on the other hand, best understand new information through listening and speaking. They (auditory learners) benefit mostly in sound-based transfer of information such as discussions and lectures. Meanwhile, students who has reading/writing preference learning style are the ones who best learn with words as they benefit mostly from reading and note taking. Lastly, kinesthetic learners best understand information through hands-on activities. They (kinesthetic learners) benefit most when they figure new things out by hand.
One might find it helpful to understand their own learning preferences. Knowing one’s learning style helps in choosing study strategies and learning methods to increase efficiency and effectiveness of studying. Thus, educators and researchers keep on identifying the learning styles of students.
According to, Suarez-Embalsado (2018) stated that most grade 6 students are Auditory, next is Visual.
On the other hand, (2019), students of applied sciences courses preferred learning in groups. It was also revealed on his study that students taking the said courses were mostly visual and kinesthetic learners.
Meanwhile, the results of a study by Englis (2019) showed that College students are visual learners.
In contrary, Aventijado, Ignacio, Ramos, & Tenerife (2020) revealed that senior high school students prefer and enjoy learning when their activities are performed.
Recently, Cabual (2021) discovered that vast majority of students in the new normal are visual and reading/writing.
More and more studies are still being conducted to identify the learning styles of students. These are all conducted with a common purpose – to tailor the content and the delivery of lessons to accommodate and satisfy the needs of the learners. However, after countless research, one thing is for sure. There will never be a “one size fits all” method in education.
References:
Aventijado, K., Ignacio, A.N., Ramos,T., Tenerife., (2020) The Journey to Learning: Through the Learning Styles of the Senior High School Academic Strand Students A.Y. 2019-2020. 10.13140/RG.2.2.10443.62240
Cabual, R.A. (2021) Learning Styles and Preferred Learning Modalities in the New Normal. Scientific Research Publishing (SCIRP). 8(4), 10.4236/oalib.1107305
retrieved from https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=108297
Cherry, K. (2019) Overview of VARK Learning Styles. retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/vark-learning-styles-2795156
Englis, J.M. (2019) Learning Styles and Strategies of Teaching the Filipino Language. International Journal of Science and Management Studies (IJSMS), 2(2).
retrieved from https://www.ijsmsjournal.org/2019/volume-2%20issue-2/ijsms-v2i2p110.pdf
Magulod, G. Jr., (2019) Learning styles, study habits and academic performance of Filipino University students in applied science courses: Implications for instruction. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 9(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.3926/jotse.504
retrieved from https://www.jotse.org/index.php/jotse/article/view/504
Suarez-Embalsado, S. (2018) The Makings of 21st Century Learners: Correlation between the Learning Style and Achievement Level of Grade Six Students of Tanauan South Central School. Future Ed Special Edition: Multidisciplinary Research Journal. 05(01), pp60
retrieved from https://www.dlsl.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/6.pdf
By: Abelardo Y. Viter Jr.
