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Using VARK - VARK Categories - VARK Results

Using VARK

Instructions

The questionnaire alerts people to the variety of different approaches to learning. It supports those who have been having difficulties with their learning and has particular applications in sport, training and education. Teachers, trainers and coaches who would like to develop additional learning strategies can also benefit from using VARK. It can be used with a group, team or class or with one-to-one training and counselling, but it does require some explanation to avoid leaping to inappropriate conclusions. Trainers and coaches need to visit the Copyright page before using VARK. Copyright page

If you do not wish to use the online version of the questionnaire with the class, you can download a printable (PDF) version. Note: The online questionnaire provides the questions in a different (random) order each time. If you do the questionaire twice the questions (and options) may be in a different order.

Latest Version of the VARK Questionnaire:

Earlier versions of the VARK Questionnaire:

Administering the questionnaire

When you are instructing others to fill in the questionnaire they should be told to make a selection (a, b, c or d) for each question, but they may omit a question or they may choose more than one option if they want to. Some may contest the meaning of words in the questionnaire and others may ask for additional contextual or situational information before they choose their answers. Avoid giving that information, as it may bias responses to the questions. Encourage them to choose more than one response if they think the context is not clear. Some may want to discuss the purpose of the questionnaire or its validity or reliability. Ask them to hold such questions till later when they can be more appropriately answered.

Please emphasize, in whatever ways you can, that the results indicate their preferences but are not necessarily their strengths. This reduces the anxiety for respondents who may express the view that the questionnaire says they are not good readers or not visually strong.

Before they complete the questionnaire it may be helpful to tell them that they are to answer the questions for themselves; not for others. Too much empathy will lead to muddled results.

Work and life experiences may blur differences between preferences as people learn to use aural, visual, read/write and kinesthetic modes in new situations. Preferences may also be masked by experiences.

No one mode is superior and there is no superior profile of VARK scores. Although our academic institutions may be strongly Read/write, life is much more varied. And you can be successful with almost any combination. "You may be different but you are not dumb." People can study the preferences shown and explore their own views about whether the preference fits them. For example, a student with a strong visual (V) preference could be asked: "How important is colour in your life?" "Do you consider yourself a visual person?" "Are there aspects of your life where your visual preference is obvious?" "Do you think you have a strong sense of space or shape or position or location?" "Do the study strategies fit with what you do now?"

Finally, some may ask questions about output preferences rather than input preferences. "How is it that I like reading but I hate writing?" Research indicates that those who have a strong preference for "taking in the world" in any particular mode (V, A, R, or K) will want to output in the same mode.

Analyzing the results

If your participants are using the online version of the questionnaire, preferences are calculated automatically at the end. If you are using paper versions of the questionnaire, there is a scoring rubric at the end of the Version 7.0 questionnaire and the Younger Questionnaire. AStandard Excel spreadsheet can be purchased from this website if you want to calculate your own group's preferences. and there is a Research Spreadsheet for those who want to use a more statistical approach. Both are provided for a single purchase fee (about $US35). Note: The online questionnaires intentionally produces the questions and options in random order so do not use the fixed rubrics for calculating preferences done online.

Talking the results through with a group

Visit the page on understanding the results,VARK Results and on VARK categories.VARK Categories

Remember PREFERENCES ARE NOT THE SAME AS STRENGTHS

and

VARK IS ABOUT LEARNING, NOT LEISURE ACTIVITIES.