Understanding learning style: Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic (VARK) in mathematics learning

Understanding students’ preferred learning styles is crucial in enhancing teaching and learning effectiveness, especially in subjects that are often perceived as challenging, such as mathematics. The VARK model, comprising Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic modalities, offers a framework for identifying how students best process and retain information. In the context of university mathematics, the VARK approach can help explain differences in student performance, engagement, and problem-solving strategies. Visual learners may benefit from graphs, diagrams, and symbolic representations, while auditory learners respond well to discussions and verbal explanations. Reading/Writing learners are more comfortable with textbooks, problem sets, and formal proofs, whereas kinesthetic learners prefer hands-on activities, real-world applications, and interactive problem-solving. In this study, 30 engineering students were given questions to evaluate their learning style. Results show that most students have Kinesthetic and Visual learning styles. Recognizing these diverse preferences allows educators to design more inclusive and adaptive instructional strategies, blending multiple modalities to address varied student needs. Ultimately, integrating the VARK model into mathematics education can foster deeper conceptual understanding, improve learning outcomes, and support lifelong learning among university students.