Learning Style

         According to the VAK Learning test, I can accurately say that I am a kinaesthetic learner because I like to start fulfilling a task as soon as possible, without pondering too much about the technique, strategies etc., thinking that everything will go in its right way during the process.

         I enjoy action-based classes where I can do some tests or put theory into practice. Here I recall my biology and chemistry classes from the high school- these were my favourite because I was able to experiment with my hands and to get a direct outcome or failure, but I did not have to investigate or predict possible results. I feel that I am able to learn more and memorise more effectively when some sort of practical activity is included – group works, seminars, discussions, debate or role plays.

As I have studied arts I still like to take a pen and draw time after time. In long lectures, drawing on the side of my notebook helps me to concentrate better and interlink the incoming information. Quite often I am even able to recall the bits and pieces just focusing on this drawing. Too simple only talking-lectures are very difficult for me to stand, especially when no graphs, maps or pictures are included. I try to listen to, but at the end of the lecture, I feel, despite all my effort, that the information has entered from one ear and left through another one.

          I love languages, but taking a textbook and start exercising from there has always been very complicated for me. I learn so much more when it has already put in practice or I am surrounded by this language in another country. Here I can bring an example from my 11-month-time living in Belgium. I dreamed about speaking fluent Dutch (Flemish) already by the Christmas, which was four months after moving there, I tried to pick up as many words as I could, made efforts to write some texts using my dictionary or a translation programme and y host parents, but I felt being a bit too shy to make mistakes. 

         My success started when I met a friend of my host sister, with who I started sending text messages, only and only in Dutch. I had to come out from my comfort zone and start improving the language. In half a month later I was already confident enough to practice it at school, at home and everywhere else. I just got myself involved in a practical way, which taught me the most. Now, a bit more than 4 years ago I am still quite good at that language, even though I do not use it daily.

          As a kinaesthetic learner, I experienced hardships in my lower education (and frankly, still do it now). Although, in my studies, my base knowledge in history should be good, strong and wide. However, I have always struggled remembering certain dates, focusing on stories from the past, since it has always been too theoretical. Art history was different, there I had, at least, something to focus on, things to describe, imagine being real or even seeing myself working on something similar. I have learned more when visiting a museum where I either read myself or listen to a very talkative, interactive guide, than sitting in the classroom and trying to create a flowchart of activities in my head.

          I have never really enjoyed sitting in one spot for a long time, as I am doing at school – in such a way my concentration is very short-term and I start looking for other activities or begin thinking about other things. At home, I even use walking around methods, or when talking on the phone, I rather move around and be active - otherwise it can be, that I do not remember much. I started going to the gym early in the mornings, and now it is a perfect time to use for studying. I do not listen to music, but podcasts, studies-related videos and try to widen my horizon in such a method.

          I like to help people, and when people ask directions, I either draw them a very simple map or create a model, using objects near me. It is easier for me to visualise the route when I see real objects, rather than just describing and estimating the distance. In task-related help, I rather tend to show people, who certain things function than give direction. I lack patience, and when I need to describe the same things, again and again, it starts annoying or irritating me, and I even find that it is easier to do all my myself than losing time and effort for training my colleagues – which, again, might show me as a non-cooperative or egoistic person.

         Additional to the VAK test, I decided to take also the KOLB’s learning test to find out whether I am an activist, a reflector, a theorist or a pragmatist. I used this test in here: Kolb-QUESTIONNAIRE. Therefore, I only focus on the two strongest types.

My results came out in such a way:

·        Activist 18;

·        Reflector 4

·        Theorist 7

·        Pragmatist 13

         As an activist, I like to experiment, keep myself open for opportunities, take the risk to try something new and start everything (mainly practical things) with a great enthusiasm. The life-philosophy for such people is ‘I’ll try anything once’. I do not like to stay thinking too much about the real working structure and possible consequences, I just want to put my enthusiasm and energy in the process and in case I fail, if it is worth trying, I start all over again. 

         However, since I am quite creative, I cannot stay too long with one process, especially when the novelty has disappeared and replaced by routine or there is something more exciting visible. I like to generate ideas and gather a group to work for that, but once the work gets less exciting, I contribute less and less to the process and look around to find something more appealing.

          I as a pragmatist, I go along with my new innovative, sometimes insane ideas. I like to test if theories and techniques work in practice as I have imagined or seen. I am impatient when working with people who tend to analyse every stage step by step or prefer using old worn manners. I like to solve problems simply by experimenting and risking. Sometimes I do not have a clear idea how certain things should work, but I believe that everything slops to its place in the end. I enjoy taking the risks and be proud of the outcomes or fulfilled goals. The life philosophy of pragmatists is ‘There is always a better way’ and ‘if it works, it’s good’.