Professional Development VARK/VAK Model - Free Sample Solution

Question: Appropriate techniques to identify the one you prefer .please provide justification for your preferences( please explain in detail such as learning style inventories and questionnaires ,psychometric testing eg kolb ,honey and mumford ,flemings VAK/VARK model and myers -briggs type indicator ;criticisms of learning style theories and choose one with justification. Answer: Introduction Professional development is a continuous process for the individuals working in various business operations in the various industries across the globe, which allows the individuals to sharpen their existing skills and gain the knowledge of a number of new skills (Sadler-Smith, 2000). The process of professional development can be defined by the process which allows them to gain their value as one of the important resources required by the organisations across the various industries for successful business. The process of professional development includes the process of learning and development. The learning process can be done in a number of styles according to the professional and personal preferences of the corresponding individuals. The learning style plays a very important role in the process which allows the individuals to complete the various learning activities with efficiency and effectiveness (Cranton, 2003). Learning styles There are a number of learning styles which can be utilised in the workplaces of the organisations around the globe. This section describes some of these learning styles which are based on a number of techniques and theories. Kolb learning cycle This learning method was developed by Kolb, who divided the entire process of learning into a number of experimental methods. These methods involve the activities of observing and analysing the reaction in various types of experiences and preparing theories based on these experiences. This learning style allows the individuals in the workplaces of the organisations to take decisions on the basis of these theories prepared from the previous activities (Moon, 1999). The various modes in the learning cycle of an individual are defined as concrete experience, abstract conceptualisation, reflective observation and active experimentation which were organised in two dimensions of activities according to Kolb. The Honey and Mumford learning styles Honey and Mumford defined the learning activities to be divided into a number of states which can allow the various individuals to learn and develop theories to reach different conclusions. These different states defined by Honey and Mumford are activist, reflector, theorist and pragmatist (Rayner, 1997). The model allows the individuals to move around in various states according to their experiences until they reach a concrete conclusion. Flemings VARK/VAK model One of the models used for the learning styles in the workplace is Flemings VAK model which defines the learning style of each and every individual to be a combination of three types of learning styles, such as Visual learning, Auditory learning and Kinaesthetic leaning. The style of visual learning allows the individuals in the workplaces to learn by looking at things and depending on their visual skills. The style of auditory learning allows the individuals in the workplaces to learn through listening and depending on their listening skills. The style of kinaesthetic learning allows the individuals to learn through the senses of touch and activities of moving and doing. The VARK model adds a new learning style to the existing VAK model known as the reading and writing learning which allows the individuals to learn through the acts of reading and writing. Myers Briggs type indicator This indicator uses a set of questions to determine the responses to them by the individuals working in various professions. These responses of the individuals allow their psychological preferences to be revealed which in turn allows us to understand the way in which they perceive their surroundings and the way they carry out the process of making informed decisions. This indicator is based on two types of functions such as rational and irrational functions. Preference I prefer the Honey and Mumford learning styles as it allows an individual to be in a particular state of learning process and allows them to change the states on the basis of the success of the learning process (White, 1992). The below mentioned sample questionnaires allows the determination of the state of the individuals in the learning process. Is it easy for you to mingle with unknown people? Yes No Are you ever being perceived as a conservative person by your colleagues? Yes No Do you like to have a lot of attention? Yes No Do you have a lot of questions on most topics? Yes No Conclusion The determination of the learning style used by various individuals in the workplaces of the various organisations across the industries allows the management to implement the learning activities (Webster-Wright, 2009). These learning activities allow the individuals to complete the activities successfully. References Cranton, P., King, K. P. 2003. Transformative learning as a professional development goal. New directions for adult and continuing education, 2003(98), 31-38. Moon, J. A. 1999. Reflection in learning and professional development: Theory and practice. Psychology Press. Rayner, S., Riding, R. 1997. Towards a categorisation of cognitive styles and learning styles. Educational Psychology, 17(1-2), 5-27. Sadler-Smith, E., Allinson, C. W., Hayes, J. 2000. Learning preferences and cognitive style some implications for continuing professional development. Management Learning, 31(2), 239-256. Webster-Wright, A. 2009. Reframing professional development through understanding authentic professional learning. Review of educational research, 79(2), 702-739. White, J. A. 1992. Applying an experiential learning styles framework to management and professional development. Journal of Management Development, 11(5), 55-64.