Unlocking the benefits of VAK learning styles: which type of VAK learners are you? 3 Reasons why different types of learning styles can transform education

Enas Hussein

Throughout the educational process, some learners might find a PowerPoint presentation appealing with its visual aids and motion pictures, while others are more attentive when the teacher begins to speak out loud. A third group might be able to relate to creative engagements such as role-playing or educational games. The reader can guess that learning has different styles; three main styles that classify and categorize students into three types of learners.       

The three learning styles are known as VAK learning styles, which stand for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning. Each type of learning has a set of characteristics that attract specific kinds of learners. A survey found that 75% of educators think that when teachers adapt their lessons to the unique learning styles of their students, their students learn more effectively. Let's dive deeper into the VAK learning styles and their powerful impact on education (1)(2)(3). 

VAK learning meaning

Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles are three methods through which learners perceive knowledge. A visual learner will prefer visual stimuli such as images, videos, charts, written notes, and diagrams. An auditory learner will learn through verbal interactions as in recorded audio, and a kinesthetic learner will learn through action as in physical movements. Understanding each student’s learning style will assist teachers maximize the benefit of educational lectures.

Benefits of VAK learning

Although tailoring learning approaches to each student can be complex and challenging, the VAK model offers a powerful framework for shaping effective educational experiences. The predominant advantages of VAK learning are majorly reflected in: 

1- A strong teacher-student communication:

The teacher-student relationship will directly benefit from taking the time to assess each student's unique learning style. When the teacher successfully identifies his students’ dominant style of learning whether visual, auditory, or kinesthetic, he will be able to adjust the lesson plans accordingly. For instance, a teacher identifies the majority of his learners as visual learners. The teacher will consequently include visual aids in his teaching plans that students will effectively correspond to. By implementing this, both teachers and students can integrate more seamlessly, fostering deeper collaboration.

2. Fostering engagement and active participation:

Tailoring educational materials to address different learning styles can help students discover their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and increase their engagement, and academic performance. This aligns with research, as highlighted in the book "The Role of Learning Styles in Active Learning," which emphasizes the importance of active participation in the learning process. By incorporating a variety of methods addressing visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, educators can create a more engaging and inclusive learning environment for all students (4)(5).

3- A lifelong learning experience:  

Introducing the concept of the VAK model to classrooms will directly influence students to understand themselves better. This can lead them to benefit from their learning style or styles in reaping rewarding outcomes that can reach beyond the classroom. Opening their eyes to the different ways through which people can learn and grasp information will effectively help them reveal their preferred method and perhaps develop an understanding of combined learning styles that help them become excellent learners in the future (6). 

Teachers can themselves benefit from the concept of VAK learning and assist students to excel in their studies by fashioning teaching methods that compel each learner's unique needs. By catering to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, you can create a more engaging and effective learning environment for all students that help them become the leaders of tomorrow’s future.