VAK - visual, auditory, kinesthetic learning styles model

The VAK learning styles model offer reasonably simple and accessible methods to understand and explain people's preferred ways to learn.

Alternatively the model is referred to as Visual-Auditory-Physical, or Visual-Auditory-Tactile/Kinesthetic. The VAK concept, theories and methods (initially also referred to as VAKT, for Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic-Tactile) were first developed by psychologists and teaching specialists such as Fernald, Keller, Orton, Gillingham, Stillman and Montessori, beginning in the 1920's. The VAK multi-sensory approach to learning and teaching was originally concerned with the teaching of dyslexic children and other learners for whom conventional teaching methods were not effective. The early VAK specialists recognised that people learn in different ways: as a very simple example, a child who could not easily learn words and letters by reading (visually) might for instance learn more easily by tracing letter shapes with their finger (kinesthetic). The VAK theory is a favourite of the accelerated learning community, and continues to feature - although not nearly as strongly as it should do - in the teaching and education of young people. The Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic learning styles model provides a different perspective for understanding and explaining a person's preferred or dominant thinking and learning style, and strengths.

According to the VAK model, most people possess a dominant or preferred learning style, however some people have a mixed and evenly balanced blend of the three styles.

A person's learning style is a reflection of their mix of intelligences. It is also a reflection of their brain type and dominance. vak visual-auditory-kinesthetic learning styles.

The VAK learning styles model provides a very easy and quick reference inventory by which to assess people's preferred learning styles, and then most importantly, to design learning methods and experiences that match people's preferences:

Visual learning style involves the use of seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc.

Auditory learning style involves the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises.

Kinesthetic learning involves physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences. The word 'kinesthetic' describes the sense of using muscular movement - physical sense in other words. Kinesthetic therefore describes a learning style which involves the stimulation of nerves in the body's muscles, joints and tendons.

It is easy to begin to assess your own or another person's learning style within the Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic model.