Reference no: EM133667731

Assignment:

QUESTION: Explain each of the learning styles in Fleming's (VARK) model. With each style you need to explain what it is and also provide a concrete example of what you would include in a training program to match that style. Ensure you use your own words, not textbook definitions.

Information from the textbook(only use as guide and not use this textbook definitions)

The second model of learning styles is the VARK model developed by Fleming. Fleming's learning style is an individual's preferred ways of gathering, organizing, and thinking about information. It has to do with the different ways that individuals take in and give out information. There are four different perceptual preferences for how people prefer to learn. VARK is an acronym for the four different perceptual preferences or learning styles

V 5 visual?A 5

Aural/auditory

R 5 read/write

K 5 kinesthetic

Thus, the VARK model is based on how individuals prefer to receive information through four sensory modalities. Individuals who prefer to learn through the visual modality like to learn from charts, maps, graphs, diagrams, and other visual symbolic devices. Those who prefer to learn through the aural/auditory modality like to learn from talking, explaining, and discussing things such as in lectures and group discussions. Individuals who prefer the read/write modality like to learn from printed material and readings such as books, reports, manuals, and note taking. Those who prefer the kinesthetic modality like to learn from direct practice, demonstrations, and experience such as simulations, role plays, and case studies. These people prefer to learn by actually doing something.

Fleming has developed a questionnaire to measure the learning styles (the VARK questionnaire). An individual's score indicates their learning style preference as well as the strength of their learning style. This is because in addition to a single learning style prefer- ence, it is possible to have a combination of two, three, or four learning style preferences. The VARK questionnaire provides a profile of a person's scores on the four modalities. While some people might have one primary learning style, others might have multiple learning styles (two, three, or four) or what is known as a multimodal learning style.

The VARK questionnaire can be used for learners to determine their learning style which can help them choose learning activities that will be best suited to their learning preferences. In addition, instructors can adjust their learning activities and strategies to match that of their learners. There is some evidence that students perform better in courses in which the learning activities match their learning style

ImplicatIons For training Learning styles have several implications for training. First, they recognize that people differ in how they prefer to learn. This means that a person's comfort, motivation, and success in training will depend on how well the training (e.g., its design, content, methods, and delivery) matches their learning style. Thus, trainers should be aware of these differences and design training programs to appeal to different learning styles. At AmeriCredit, an auto finance company in Fort Worth, Texas, course facilita- tors receive a report prior to a training session that allows them to adjust course delivery, content, and design based on the learning styles of the trainees. The use of technology in training makes it much easier to tailor learning and training to a trainee's learning style.

Second, trainees can also benefit from an awareness of their VARK learning style so that they can focus on their primary style(s) when learning, and make informed choices regarding training programs and opportunities to attend. Trainees might also make adjustments to their learning behaviours when attending a training program to maximize their learning. This might involve readings prior to training, taking additional notes during training, asking questions and participating in discussions, and/or practicing what has been learned in training.

Third, training programs should be designed with each learning mode and style included and as part of a sequence of learning experiences in accordance with Kolb's learning cycle (CE-RO-AC-AE). At Capital One Financial Corp., after employees are taught a new set of skills they are given work projects to implement the skills, and then they must report on the experience. The approach closely mirrors the learning cycle.

Using Fleming's VARK model, trainers should use a multimodal approach that includes activities and methods that will appeal to the visual (e.g., diagrams, charts), aural/auditory (e.g., lectures, discussions), read/write (e.g., readings, handouts), and the kinesthetic (e.g., demonstrations, practice) learning style.