A Self-Analysis Using the VARK Survey

The VARK (visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic) survey is a guide to finding out designs, an evaluation of how one discovers finest. It was created by Neil Fleming in 1987. It is a sixteen question evaluation that supplies those who take it with a specific profile of their knowing design or styles consisting of a score. There are four scores that can provide a person approximately 5 study strategies: multimodal, visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic. (Fleming, 2011 FAQs (Frequently Asked Concerns)). An individual's preferred modality may be a combination of 2 or more types which is called multimodal (Fleming, 2011 FAQs).

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After ball games are tallied, it will tell the individual where they fall within the five research study methods. VARK supplies an analysis of each individual's outcomes by recognizing the preferred method and one of the 5 noted above (Fleming, 2011 Help sheets). An individual's favored modality may be a combination of two or more types which is called multimodal, the most typical at around 60% (Fleming, 2011 FAQs).

This paper will discuss this nurse's results of the VARK survey, chosen learning styles compared with the discovering designs identified, and modifications that will be made to improve one's study practices. The VARK analysis of this nurse's answers determined this nurse as multimodal with a strong emphasis in kinesthetic and read/write. Fleming stated that those who are multifocal in their choice can be more flexible of how one takes in and provides out details (Fleming, 2011 Frequently Asked Questions). Nevertheless, multimodal individuals may require sensory input and outflow through two, three, or all four modes before one is pleased that they have learned the product or comprehend it (Fleming, 2011 FAQs). This nurse is not amazed by the results as she has the tendency to use the kinesthetic and read/write methods in many ways that she finds out.

She scored highest in kinestethics and agrees that doing things ‘hands on’ provides this nurse to better understand what she is learning or attempting to do. For instance, during clinical rotations this nurse adapted better to certain situations after doing them and also with procedures like inserting catheters. This nurse excels well overlapping the two by using hands on approach and visual aids as well as dictionaries, textbooks, and handouts. The two modalities that were listed in this nurse’s questionnaire that resulted in third and fourth, in a tie, were visual and aural. This nurse showed some preference for the visual modality because, pictures graphs, and different colors grab this nurses attention and make it easier to remember what is being taught. She also utilizes the aural by engaging in discussions with classmates and talking out a subject or problem helps her to better understand. When comparing this nurse’s preferred learning styles to the styles identified she was not that surprised.

This nurse’s preferred learning style is kinesthetics and visual. She is captured at the fact that visual was not at the top of the list. That kinestethics was listed highest in her results and found it odd that to learn best from ‘doing’ that the visual modality would go hand in hand. This nurse scored in all four modalities making her useful and adaptive in learning different situations. However, in some cases, this nurse feels there is room for error when using the aural modality. She feels that pertinent knowledge should be learned and understood not repeated in one’s head or read aloud over and over again. Also with read/write that writing paragraphs and reading notes over and over again just leads to memorization and in this nurses field of study one should understand and gain knowledge not memorize material that could be later tested on as a broader subject.

After reviewing the learning strategies, some changed are needed to improve learning abilities for this nurse. Some changes this nurse will make to improve her study habits are to incorporate more diagrams, books, incorporate the use of a tape recorder when brain storming ideas, and describing information to someone who is not familiar with what she is learning. Learning style information can also benefit this nurse directly as she learns more about herself and acquire knowledge of general learning theory (Breckler, 2009). By adding more strategies, this nurse will improve her study habits, educations, and improve grades and feel more satisfied about her work and studies. A study published by the Journal of Further Higher Education reports that those individuals who participated showed actual improvement in their studies and received higher grades than usual (Rogers, 2009, p.19).

In conclusion this learning tool helps one understand their best learning style. By using the tools specifically designed for an individual it will help improve learning and understanding in a variety of subjects. This nurse has been identified as a multifocal learner with a strong kinesthetic learning preference. VARK has also pointed out other modalities that need to be used to reinforce her study habits.