VARK is a learning styles model identifying four preferences: Visual (images), Auditory (listening), Read/Write (text), and Kinesthetic (hands-on)—widely used but contested by research.
What are Learning Styles (VARK)?
The VARK model describes four sensory preferences for receiving and processing information, developed by New Zealand educator Neil Fleming in 1987. Visual learners prefer diagrams, charts, and spatial representations. Auditory learners favor lectures, discussions, and verbal explanations. Read/Write learners excel with text-based materials—reading, note-taking, and written assignments. Kinesthetic learners need hands-on experience, physical movement, and real-world application. Most people show preferences across multiple modalities rather than fitting neatly into one category—VARK calls these "multimodal learners."
Key Takeaways
- Four modalities: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic
- 50-70% of learners are multimodal, showing preferences in multiple areas
- Free VARK questionnaire available at vark-learn.com
- Research does NOT support matching instruction to learning style preferences
- More useful for understanding preferences than prescribing instruction methods
What Research Actually Shows
Here's the uncomfortable truth: despite widespread popularity, learning styles theory lacks scientific support. A 2024 meta-analysis of over 1,700 students found matching instruction to preferred learning style had minimal measurable impact on outcomes. VARK questionnaires measure self-reported preferences, not actual learning advantages. The research suggests something different matters more: matching content to appropriate modalities. Everyone learns anatomy better with visuals; everyone learns pronunciation better through hearing. The style should fit the subject, not the student.
The Practical Middle Ground
This doesn't mean learning preferences are meaningless—just that they shouldn't limit instruction. Your child might genuinely prefer audiobooks to reading, but that preference shouldn't excuse them from developing reading skills. Use VARK as a starting point for engagement, not a ceiling for learning. A kinesthetic child might enter a math concept through manipulatives, but should eventually work toward abstract understanding. The goal is expanding capabilities across all modalities, not restricting to preferred ones.
Helpful Applications for Homeschoolers
Learning style awareness can inform curriculum selection and lesson variety. If your child resists reading-heavy curriculum, knowing they prefer auditory processing might lead you to add audiobooks or discussion-based learning. When a concept isn't clicking, try approaching it through a different modality. Use preferences to build initial engagement, then deliberately stretch into less comfortable modalities. The homeschool advantage is having time to approach content multiple ways—not being locked into one modality for all instruction.
The Bottom Line
VARK provides useful vocabulary for discussing learning preferences, and understanding your child's tendencies can inform curriculum choices and teaching strategies. Just don't let learning style labels become limitations. Research shows matching instruction to content—not student preference—produces better outcomes. Use VARK to understand how your child might prefer to engage, then deliberately develop competence across all modalities. The goal isn't teaching to a style; it's building a versatile learner.
