VAK Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire



Learning Strategies Self-AssessmentInstructions: Circle the answer that most represents how you generally behave. Complete the questionnaire before reading the accompanying explanation.1. When I operate new equipment I generally:read the instructions firstlisten to an explanation from someone who has used it beforego ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it2. When I need directions for travelling I usually:look at a mapask for spoken directionsfollow my nose and maybe use a compass3. When I cook a new dish, I like to:follow a written recipecall a friend for an explanationfollow my instincts, testing as I cook4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:write instructions down for themgive them a verbal explanationdemonstrate first and then let them try it5. I tend to say:watch how I do itlisten to me explainyou give it a try6. During my free time I most enjoy:going to museums and gallerieslistening to music and talking to my friendsplaying sport or doing DIY projects7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:imagine what they would look like ondiscuss them with the shop stafftry them on and test them out8. When I am choosing a vacation, I usually:read lots of brochureslisten to recommendations from friendsimagine what it would be like to be there9. If I was buying a new car, I would:read reviews in newspapers and magazinesdiscuss what I need with my friendstest-drive lots of different types10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:watching what the teacher is doingtalking through with the teacher exactly what I’m supposed to dogiving it a try myself and work it out as I go11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:imagine what the food will look liketalk through the options in my head or with my partnerimagine what the food will taste like12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help:watching the band members and other people in the audiencelistening to the lyrics and the beatsmoving in time with the music13. When I concentrate, I most often:focus on the words or the pictures in front of mediscuss the problem and the possible solutions in my headmove around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things14. I choose household furnishings because I like:their colours and how they lookthe descriptions the sales-people give metheir textures and what it feels like to touch them15. My first memory is of:looking at somethingbeing spoken todoing something16. When I am anxious, I:visualise the worst-case scenariostalk over in my head what worries me mostcan’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly17. I feel especially connected to other people because of:how they lookwhat they say to mehow they make me feel18. When I have to study for an exam, I generally:write lots of notes and diagramstalk over my notes, alone or with other peopleimagine making the movement or creating the formula19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to:show them what I meanexplain to them in different ways until they understandencourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it20. I really love:watching films, photography, looking at art or people watchinglistening to music, the radio or talking to friendstaking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing21. Most of my free time is spent:watching televisiontalking to friendsdoing physical activity or making things22. When I first contact a new person, I usually:arrange a face to face meetingtalk to them on the telephonetry to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or a meal23. I first notice how people:look and dresssound and speakstand and move24. If I am angry, I tend to:keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset meraise my voice and tell people how I feelstamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger25. I find it easiest to remember:facesnamesthings I have done26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:they avoid looking at youtheir voices changesthey give me funny vibes27. When I meet an old friend:I say “it’s great to see you!”I say “it’s great to hear from you!”I give them a hug or a handshake28. I remember things best by:writing notes or keeping printed detailssaying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my headdoing and practising the activity or imagining it being done29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:writing a lettercomplaining over the phonetaking the item back to the store or posting it to head office30. I tend to say:I see what you meanI hear what you are sayingI know how you feelNow add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.A’s =B’s =C’s =Your scores provide insight into how visual (A), auditory (B) and kinaesthetic (C) learning strategies may work for you. Remember that this is not a scientifically validated instrument. It is just a quick survey to give you some insight on your own learning preferences. It is important to remember that everyone uses all of the learning strategies - depending on the learning situation.For information on how to apply this insight, read the introduction to learning strategies on the following pages. More information about learning strategies, personality, and personal development can be found at . With acknowledgements to Victoria Chislett for developing this assessment. Victoria Chislett specializes in performance psychology and its application within organizations, and can be contacted via email: performance_psychologist at .Additional Learning Strategy QuestionsTo help you deepen your exploration of your own learning preferences, here are some additional questions. These look at learning strategies beyond those covered in the questionnaire, and can help you develop an effective learning strategy for yourself.Do you learn best in the morning, afternoon or evening?Do you prefer to learn by interacting with others or on your own?Do you like to learn with music in the background or in a quiet environment?Do you like to move around when you are studying, or sit still?Do you learn more easily when you can eat while learning?Do you prefer to zero in on one topic, or jump around?Do you prefer to learn the parts first and then create the whole, or would you rather see the whole and then deduce at the parts?Do you prefer to listen to the experts or trust your intuition?Do you learn in order to enhance your understanding of yourself or to better understand concepts and processes?Imagine the following scenario: You are about to start a new class and are entering the classroom for the first time. As you walk through the door, what are the first few things you are most likely to notice about the learning environment?Think back through your personal learning history. Identify a learning experience that you thought was particularly powerful or effective. What were the key characteristics of that experience?A (Very) Brief Introduction to Learning Styles and StrategiesLearning theorists spend a lot of time talking about learning styles. The heart of their discussion is that every person has a unique set of preferences, talents and abilities that influence how they learn. While there is a great deal of research on the topic of learning styles, there is little agreement on which theory of learning styles is the right one. In fact, the original concept that every individual has a dominant learning style, and should focus on learning approaches largely based on that style, has been thoroughly discredited. While most people use a wide range of learning strategies depending on what they are learning and the environment in which they are learning, understand what works best for you can be very helpful.The following explanation is intended to identify a range of potential learning strategies. Knowing what approaches work for each individual in varying learning circumstances is an effective way to leverage knowledge of learning strategies.Exploring your own learning strategy preferences can pay great rewards. When you know how you learn best, you can make the most efficient and effective use of your study time. The following information will provide insight three learning strategies: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic. People commonly have a main preferred learning strategy, but this will usually be a blend of all three strategies. Some people have a very strong preference; other people have a more even mixture of two or less commonly, three strategies. The key point is that there some strategies may work better for you than others. As adult learners, we all use each of these approaches in various combinations. But one or two strategies may be more effective for you for certain types of learning. Understanding your preferences can help you tailor a learning program for yourself that optimizes your learning. How do these strategies influence learning? Visual learning strategies are based on seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s have a look at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. These are the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions.Visual learning strategies have two subchannels - linguistic and spatial. Learners who are visual linguistic like to learn through written language, such as reading and writing tasks. They remember what has been written down, even if they do not read it more than once. They like to write down directions and pay better attention to lectures if they watch them. Learners who are visual spatial usually have difficulty with written language and do better with charts, demonstrations, videos, and other visual materials. They easily visualize faces and places by using their imagination and seldom get lost in new surroundings. To integrate these strategies into your learning environment: Use or create graphs, charts, illustrations, etc.Create your own outlines, agendas, handouts, etc. for reading, taking notes, and planning study sessions.Collect plenty of handouts to reread after the learning session.Use the white space in handouts for note taking.Write down content from flip charts to record what will happened in class.Use highlighting to emphasize key points to cue when to takes notes.Eliminate potential distractions.Supplement textual information with illustrations whenever possible.Draw pictures in the margins of your handouts and notes.Show diagrams to a partner and then explain them.?Try to envision the topic or act out the subject matter.Auditory learning strategies transfer information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises. People who like these strategies will often use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ and will be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert. These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear!People who learn well from auditory strategies often talk to themselves a lot. They also may move their lips and read out loud. They may have difficulty with reading and writing tasks. They often do better talking to a colleague or a tape recorder and hearing what was said. To use this style of learning you might: Work with a partner and provide a brief explanation of what is coming. Conclude with a summary of what has been covered. Use the Socratic method of lecturing by questioning your partner to draw as much information from her as possible and then fill in the gaps with your own expertise.Try various auditory activities, such as brainstorming, discussions, or verbal game shows like Jeopardy.Actively participate in debrief activities and ask questions. This allows you to make connections of what you’ve leaned and how it applies to your situation.Develop an internal dialogue about what you are learning. Kinaesthetic learning strategies rely on physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences. People who like these strategies will often use phrases such as ‘let me try’, ‘how do you feel?’ and will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the instructions first! Kinesthetic strategies rely on touching and moving. There are also two subchannels here - kinesthetic (movement) and tactile (touch). People who benefit from these strategies tend to lose concentration if there is little or no external stimulation or movement. When listening to lectures they may want to take notes. When reading, they like to scan the material first, and then focus in on the details (get the big picture first). They typically use color highlighters and take notes by drawing pictures, diagrams, or doodling. To integrate this style into the learning environment: Use activities that get you up and moving.Play music, when appropriate, during study and activities.Use colored markers to emphasize key points on flipcharts or white boards.Take frequent stretch breaks (brain breaks).Use toys such as Koosh balls and Play-Dough to give yourself something to do with your hands.?Use highlighters, colored pens and/or pencils to highlight your notes and handouts.Transfer information from handouts and notes to another medium such as a keyboard or a tablet.?As you develop your own learning strategy, blend these three approaches into a learning strategy that works for you. ................
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