According to the VARK testing, my leading learning strategy is kinesthetic. As per scores, they were visual – 2, aural – 3, read/write – 7, and kinesthetic – 14 points. Kinesthetic perception is a way of obtaining information through the establishment of direct physical contact through any type of feeling or sensation in the result of which the gained experience is stored steadily (Kinesthetic strategies, 2016). Many scientists consider this type of learning strategy the most complex one but also indeed durable since it depends entirely on the individual’s experience (Riding & Rayner, 2013). A person with kinesthetic learning strategy gathers information with the help of a variety of options including senses, practical exercises, samples, case studies, hands-on experience, and so on. Importantly, all the examples or experiences should be directly linked to real life to ensure that a person can remember the notions by connecting them to personal memories.
Preferred Learning Style
The preferred learning strategies for a kinesthetic type of comprehension include practical exercises, testing, varied illustrative samples (including visuals, pictures). Apart from that, hands-on experience provides an opportunity to apply all the senses to cognize and object, topic or any other matter (Kinesthetic strategies, 2016). According to the test results, the effective approaches for this category of learners include:
- Field trips
- Laboratories
- Trial and error
- Hands-on experience
- Any activity requiring the inclusion of sight, hearing, touching, and sensing simultaneously
- Explanations with realistic examples
- Problem-solving
- Collecting the evidence
Importantly, all of the approaches to the learning process are equally crucial and applicable. Nevertheless, it is necessary to interchange different types of assignments and techniques. Since the kinesthetic type is the most distractible one of the five basic styles, the activities should be varied to ensure that the information is memorized or obtained properly (Kinesthetic strategies, 2016).
Influence of Particular Strategy
The awareness of individual learning styles is essential for the effectiveness of the education and training. Notably, the information should be proceeded using all the channels of perception. The successful development of many important skills depends on the style that is leading (Dembo & Seli, 2012). Moreover, the particular learning style determines the levels of distractibility, the peculiarities of memory and so on. By using the appropriate activities and tasks, the knowledge that is more lasting can be achieved (Dembo & Seli, 2012). Apart from that, if a person is aware of his or her cognitive features, it will help him or her to choose those practices that will ensure a quicker and more effective understanding and assimilation of the information (Riding & Rayner, 2013). It is of particular importance in relation to such activities that require gaining the essential skills. In addition, the knowledge of all five types of understanding allows building a student-centered approach to learning.
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the process of learning is not a simple summation of the individual feelings or the result of the simple association of the features. This process is different for each person and reflects his or her integral characteristics in terms of thinking, understanding, attentiveness and so on. The effective comprehension requires the detachment of the significant information from the less important one through sensory systems that are different for every individual. Appropriately, the awareness of individual learning strategies will help a person to choose the activities and methods that contribute to the faster understanding and memorization of the studied material.
References
Dembo, M., & Seli, H. (2012). Motivation and learning strategies for college success. Abington, UK: Routledge.
Kinesthetic strategies. (2016). Web.
Riding, R., & Rayner, S. (2013). Cognitive styles and learning strategies. Abington, UK: Routledge.