Learning Styles and Kinesthetic Learner Experiences - Essay Example

Consider these two types of learners: one who is always seen on his desk and reading course materials and a learner who seems not to pay attention but still gets the same average as that as the previous type of learner mentioned.

Learning styles are unique aspects of a learner’s initiative to gain new knowledge and are important as the basis for the mode of instruction that should be used. Learning Styles and Kinesthetic Learner Experiences The VARK questionnaire is a multiple-choice type of test that provides questions about normal day-to-day activities and aim to identify the test taker’s learning style. Learning styles are “biological and developmental set of personal characteristics that make the identical instruction effective for some students and ineffective for others” (Dunn & Dunn, 1993, as cited in Dunn & Griggs, 1998).

All answers are to be evaluated which would be the basis of the type of learning style the test taker prefers. There were items in the questionnaires in which I have to check two choices, but most of the time, I choose the answers similar to or close to what I usually do. The answers are mostly involving body movements and actual involvement in the activity. In other words, I usually prefer to learn by doing it myself or with the guidance of others. As expected, I came about with the result “kinesthetic learner” which I think is very true according to my previous learning experiences.

According to Willingham (2010), “kinesthetic learners like to manipulate objects physically” which calls for actual involvement in the activity. Through this definition, we can assume that kinesthetic learners use all their senses to comprehend information. They learn best when engaged in field trips, trial and error activities, and laboratory experiments (in the case of the study of the Sciences). My learning strategies are very much alike to what Willingham (2010) identified. I find actual engagement in the activities very interesting and comprehensive and I easily grasp the concepts which our teacher wants us to learn.

In lecture discussions, real-life situations would provoke my thinking and awaken my interest rather than the usual chalk-talk traditional teachers make. Providing a clear connection between abstract thoughts and tangible situations is very important for Kinesthetic learners like me. John Dewey’s “learning-by-doing” summarizes what the kinesthetic learning style is all about (Malone, 2003). Putting the learner in the actual scene is the best way of making him granting that he is a kinesthetic learner.

Vark’s learning style guide provided the characteristics of a kinesthetic learner from the most effective channels of information to the expected outputs. According to the descriptions, a multi-sensory approach to teaching would be beneficial to kinesthetic learners. Activities which would require outdoor experiences are effective in the learning retention of these types of learners. If they should take down notes, they are likely to associate them with concrete examples because abstract concepts might confuse them.

Based on these descriptions, I could say that I am strongly inclined toward kinesthetic learning. The traditional approach to instruction is not my preference as I find it too formal and tight. In other words, I find traditional teaching uncomfortable and does not encourage the learners to be active thinkers. In my study habits, my learning style is also reflected. I am not a typical student who stays in a quiet library to read and study. When I want to understand a concept, say in physics, I usually perform simple experiments found in the book and create my observation which would eventually lead me to the understanding of the concept.

I’ve been doing the same strategy in my study habits since I was in elementary and those are the things I am most comfortable with. Me, I would not change any of my study habits because I know I am doing the strategies best for my learning style. 

Even with the new concepts of learning, most educational systems still have high regard towards written activities which would only cater to visual and linguistic learners. The learning environment should be accommodating to all types of learners. Learning should not be exclusive to a specific type of learner but an opportunity for everyone.