Reference no: EM132767365

Question

The VARK questionnaire finds your preferences for the way you work with information. It is not a test, but it will make more sense of what you are about to read when you have completed it. The most important instruction is that you may have more than one answer to any of the questions. It may be somewhat more interesting if you later limit yourself to one answer per question or maybe two, but that is your choice.

Some respondents say that the questionnaire does not match their view of themselves. That is often because they chose the answers that they thought they should choose or they tried too hard to restrict themselves to one option per question. Instead, choose the answer or answers that describe what do you want to do and circle the letter next to it. The a. b. c. and d responses are muddled on purpose. Leave blank any question that does not apply.

Choose the answer which best explains your preference and circle the letter(s) next to it. Please circle more than one if a single answer does not match your perception. Leave blank any question that does not apply.

1. You are helping someone who wants to go to your airport, town centre or railway station. You would:
a) draw, or give her a map.
b) tell her the directions.
c) write down the directions (without a map).
d) go with her.

2. You are not sure whether a word should be spelled `dependent' or `dependant'. You would:
a) see the word in your mind and choose by the way they look.
b) think about how each word sounds and choose one.
c) find it online or in a dictionary.
d) write both words on paper and choose one.

3. You are planning a holiday for a group. You want some feedback from them about the plan. You would:
a) use a map or website to show them the places.
b) phone, text or email them.
c) give them a copy of the printed itinerary.
d) describe some of the highlights.

4. You are going to cook something as a special treat for your family. You would:
a) look through the cookbook for ideas from the pictures.
b) ask friends for suggestions.
c) use a cookbook where you know there is a good recipe.
d) cook something you know without the need for instructions.

5. A group of tourists want to learn about the parks or wildlife reserves in your area. You would:
a) show them internet pictures, photographs or picture books.
b) talk about or arrange a talk for them about parks or wildlife reserves.
c) give them a book or pamphlets about the parks or wildlife reserves.
d) take them to a park or wildlife reserve and walk with them.

6. You are about to purchase a digital camera or mobile phone. Other than price, what would most influence your decision?
a) It is a modern design and looks good.
b) The salesperson telling me about its features.
c) Reading the details about its features.
d) Trying or testing it.

7. Remember a time when you learned how to do something new. Try to avoid choosing a physical skill, e.g. riding a bike. You learned best by:
a) diagrams and charts - visual clues.
b) listening to somebody explaining it and asking questions.
c) written instructions - e.g. a manual or textbook.
d) watching a demonstration.

8. You have a problem with your knee. You would prefer that the doctor:
a) showed you a diagram of what was wrong.
b) described what was wrong.
c) gave you a web address or something to read about it.
d) used a plastic model of a knee to show what was wrong.

9. You want to learn a new program, skill or game on a computer. You would:
a) follow the diagrams in the book that came with it.
b) talk with people who know about the program.
c) read the written instructions that came with the program.
d) use the controls or keyboard.

10. I like websites that have:
a) interesting design and visual features.
b) audio channels where I can hear music, radio programs or interviews.
c) interesting written descriptions, lists and explanations.
d) things I can click on, shift or try.

11. Other than price, what would most influence your decision to buy a new non-fiction book?
a) The way it looks is appealing.
b) A friend talks about it and recommends it.
c) Quickly reading parts of it.
d) It has real-life stories, experiences and examples.

12. You are using a book, CD or website to learn how to take photos with your new digital camera.
You would like to have:
a) diagrams showing the camera and what each part does.
b) a chance to ask questions and talk about the camera and its features.
c) clear written instructions with lists and bullet points about what to do.
d) many examples of good and poor photos and how to improve them.

13. Do you prefer a teacher or a presenter who uses:
a) diagrams, charts or graphs.
b) question and answer, talk, group discussion, or guest speakers.
c) handouts, books, or readings.
d) demonstrations, models or practical sessions.

14. You have finished a competition or test and would like some feedback. You would like to have feedback:
a) using graphs showing what you had achieved.
b) from somebody who talks it through with you.
c) using a written description of your results.
d) using examples from what you have done.

15. You are going to choose food at a restaurant or cafe. You would:
a) look at what others are eating or look at pictures of each dish.
b) ask the waiter or friends to recommend choices.
c) choose from the descriptions in the menu.
d) choose something that you have had there before.

16. You have to make an important speech at a conference or special occasion. You would:
a) make diagrams or get graphs to help explain things.
b) write few key words and practice saying your speech over and over.
c) write out your speech and learn from reading it over several times.
d) gather many examples and stories to make the talk real and practical.

Description of Learning Preferences

Visual (V):
This preference includes the depiction of information in charts, graphs, flow charts, and all the symbolic arrows, circles, hierarchies and other devices that teachers use to represent what might have been presented in words. Layout, whitespace, headings, patterns, designs and colour are important in establishing meaning. Those with this as a strong preference are more aware of their immediate environment and their place in space. It does not include pictures, movies, videos and animated websites (simulation) that belong with Kinaesthetic below.

Auditory (A):
This perceptual mode describes a preference for information that is spoken or heard. Those with support for this modality report that they learn best from discussion, oral feedback, email, phone chat, discussion boards, oral presentations, classes, tutorials, and talking with others.

Read/write (R):
This preference is for information displayed as words either read or written. Not surprisingly, many academics and students have a strong preference for this modality. These learners place importance on the precision in language and are keen to use quotes, lists, texts, books and manuals. They have a strong reverence for words.

Kinaesthetic (K):
This modality refers to the "perceptual preference related to the use of experience and practice (simulated or real)." Although such an experience may invoke other modalities, the key is that the student is connected to reality, "either through experience, example, practice or simulation," It is often referred to as "learning by doing" but that is an oversimplification especially for learning which is often abstract but can still be made accessible for those students with a Kinaesthetic preference. This mode uses many senses (sight, touch, taste and smell) to take in the environment to experience and learn new things. Some theorists believe that movement is important for this mode, but it is the reality of a situation that appeals most.