LEARNING STYLES AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Keywords:
learning styles, learning theories, individual differences, preferred learning methods, VAK model, VARK model, visual learners, auditory learners, reading/writing learners, kinesthetic learners, teaching strategies.Abstract
This article explores the concept of learning styles and their role in education. While many learners express preferences in how they receive information, research does not provide strong evidence that teaching based on learning styles significantly improves academic performance. The idea gained popularity in the 1970s, leading to the development of various models, including the widely used VARK framework, which categorizes learners as Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, or Kinesthetic. Each style reflects different ways students process and retain information. Although incorporating diverse teaching strategies can support engagement and understanding, most learners benefit from a combination of styles rather than a single one. The text concludes that learning styles can be useful when applied flexibly, as part of a broader, adaptive teaching approach that addresses the diverse needs of students.
