VARK Questionnaire - A Guide To Learning Styles

VARK stands for the following:

• Visual = 7
• Aural = 6
• Reading/Writing = 2
• Kinesthetic = 10

Using the VARK questionnaire I worked out my scores for each of the learning preferences using the following website:

http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=kinesthetic#

The results show I have a Kinesthetic learning preference, which means I like to DO things to help myself understand them and learn. I prefer samples, hands-on and trial and error techniques where I can relate knowledge to real life memories and events. My notes should include lots of examples and talking things through with another "K" student will help.

I was not surprised with my results as I have always found that the best way to learn something is to have a go. Over the years at work I have had lots of training from operating new machines to business improvement techniques and have always picked things up quicker by simply doing them. I am also very visual and when being shown facts and figures, I like to see graphs for example. Trial and error may not always be the most cost-efficient way of learning in the business world but I can speak from experience that doing something wrong is a valuable part of learning how to do something right. The results are not just academically relevant, as I learnt to play the guitar through lessons and video tutorials rather than reading music, for example. I am also very good at painting gaming miniatures, I ran a few in-store painting lessons at Games Workshop and loved teaching the kids by showing them techniques and letting them have a go. The feedback is instant and there is no room for misinterpretation as I personally feel there can be with written instructions. With relation to my studying at university I can see that I need to be aware of my learning type and make sure my notes and experiences reflect this so I can get the most from my course.

Myers Briggs Type Indicator

I used the following website to interpret my Myers Briggs Type Indicator results;

http://www.myersbriggs.org/my%2Dmbti%2Dpersonality%2Dtype/mbti%2Dbasics/

I am ESTJ

Extrovert
Sensing
Thinking
Judging


A brief description of this personality type;

Practical, realistic, matter-of-fact. Decisive, quickly move to implement decisions.  Organise projects and people to get things done, focus on getting results in the most efficient way possible. Take care of routine details. Have a clear set of logical standards, systematically follow them and want others to also.
Forceful in implementing their ideas.

SWOT analysis

Strengths:

Willing to learn

Hard working

Reliable

Helpful

Organised

Imaginative

Creative

Logical

Practical

Optimistic

Affable

Kind

Weaknesses:

Short tempered

Easily distracted

Impulsive

Worrier

Unsure of academic ability

Opportunities:

Qualification

Friends

Happiness

Career

Threats:

Learning academic procedures

Long break from education

Haven't studied engineering previously

Mathematics

Exams

My learning line breakdown

1.   Parents

Was read to at an early age.
Parents encouraged interests and learning in general.
Happy childhood.

2.   Primary School

Set the foundations for learning.
Made friends.
First experience of formal learning was positive.
Literacy.
Numeracy.

3.   Middle School

Tried hard and liked being at school.
Outgoing with lots of friends.
Listened during lessons and continued to learn.
Learnt to play the guitar

4.   Upper School

Started to lose interest in formal learning.
Relied on lessons for knowledge and did little revision.
Found friends and hobbies distracting and did not reach full potential in GCSEs.
Favourite lessons were Science, English and Art.
Sociable and well liked.
Met girlfriend.
Artistic skills grew.

5.   Sixth Form

Unfocused.
Didn’t have a clear goal when choosing subjects and underachieved.
Felt that the opportunity to take A-levels was not to be missed.
Nervous during exams.
Preferred coursework.
Good communication skills.
Computer literate.

6.   Work (Delphi)

Applied for night shift and stayed for 6 years.
Learnt to work as a team.
Strived towards promotion.
Enjoyed being in an engineering and manufacturing environment.
Felt skills could offer more to the company.
Gained understanding of life at work.
Learnt to use my initiative at work.
Practical skills, including machinery and tools.

7.   Learning to drive

Nervous during test.
Increased self confidence.
New opportunities available.
Got driving license.

8.   Moved away from home

Welcomed independence.
Missed parents.
Learnt how to run a household.
Lots of fun.
Happy and comfortable life.
Financial independence and how to maintain it
Learnt to run a household, bills etc.
D.I.Y.
Cooking.

9.   Tool Room Course (through work)

Happy and enjoyed the experience.
Learnt many practical skills.
Interest to continue learning growing.
Achieved excellence in final assessment.
Glad to be learning.
Focused.
Gained a good eye for detail.

10.   University

Found entering higher education after a long break worrying.
Will to learn stronger than ever.
Lack confidence in some abilities.

About me

I'm 24 years old and studying Engineering (HND) at Anglia Ruskin University. I have been out of education for 6 years, during which time I worked permanent night shifts at the engineering factory Delphi. It was during my work there that I realised I enjoyed engineering and was given the opportunity to become involved in a training programme. I worked hard and achieved "excellence" in my final assessment. I became aware that for me to progress into becoming an engineer I would need a degree. Entering higher education will be a challenge for me but it I realise it is necessary for me to reach my goals in life.

My first experiences of University have been positive. It's clear that everyone is friendly and willing to help me succeed but I must admit I am a little confused by the bombardment of rules and regulations sometimes. Hopefully as I settle in everything will become much clearer.

When I’m not working or studying I like to play my guitar and do a lot of online gaming. I like horror and science fiction films and collect rare DVDs and signatures. I listen to hard house music mostly but love heavy metal and rock too. I've been to lots of gigs and clubbing events around the UK and abroad.
Stephen King is my favourite author, I rarely read anything else.