Learning Modalities VAK
One of the first steps in learning is acquiring new information. But how do we best get those facts into our brains? Researchers have shown that there are three pathways for this information to travel, and understanding how these pathways work will transform your kids’ experience—especially when it comes to things they find hard to learn!
Learning Modalities refers to the approach learners use to take in new information, how they best concentrate, process, and retain information.
Learning Modalities: 3 Ways of “Getting It”
Visual Learning
Visual learners learn best by seeing—whether through reading, looking at pictures, watching a documentary, observing. They will learn new information most easily when they get it through their eyes: read it in a book, look at a map, see a diagram, watch a documentary.
Auditory Learning
Auditory learners best by hearing, whether through audio recordings, conversations, lectures, or reading out loud. They find it easiest to learn something new when they get it through their ears: hear someone say it, hear it read aloud, hear music, hear a documentary.
Kinesthetic Learning (Tactile Learning)
Kinesthetic learners or tactile learners learn best by touching objects or moving, whether through hands-on projects or physical action, such as jumping, running, dancing, even wiggling. They find it easiest to learn something new when they touch it or when they move: draw a picture, toss a Koosh ball, bounce on a ball, play with pipe cleaners, build with Legos.
This one is the most difficult for parents to accept since it looks so different from a traditional classroom. However, if these students are allowed to move while learning, they will be able to take in new information as readily as Visual learners and Auditory learners.
Learning Modalities and History Revealed Curriculum
Because most educational material is presented visually, students who are wired to best take in new information through hearing, movement, or touch can be at a disadvantage.
The History Revealed curriculum provides a multi-sensory approach to learning in each unit, including fascinating stories on audio CDs (auditory); hands-on projects such as mapping, art, science, and cooking, plus opportunities to move in action games, dance, charades, drama, pantomime (kinesthetic/tactile).
All of the these activities and projects are listed in the Student Manuals and Teacher Guides, providing a rich selection of opportunities from which students can choose. We’ve done the work of integrating these 3 learning modalities so you and your students can enjoy the learning experience!