VARK vs. LASSI: Real Students = Real Results

By Kenya Bratton, CEO, Juken Learning Services, Advocate for #AdultLearners

The Hidden Flaws in Your Staff Training

As adult educators, ensuring that our students succeed is at the core of our mission. To achieve this, we must equip our staff with the right tools and training to address the diverse needs of adult learners. Two instructional gems that stand out for this purpose are the VARK (Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinesthetic) and LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory). Both have proven benefits. Choosing the right one depends on your institution's specific goals and the needs of your learners. This article compares these instructional options to help you decide which will most effectively upskill your teachers, increase student completion, and propel your school's success.

My business, Juken Learning Services, provides educational services to individuals and institutions. We leverage both the VARK and LASSI frameworks to enhance learning outcomes across all educational levels, from elementary through university. Additional value these tools produce high outcomes for struggling learners and those with learning disabilities.?

Given the limited personnel in adult schools, these instructional tools extend teachers' reach, promoting greater educational equity and access.

VARK: Learning Styles Increase Retention, Resilience and Confidence

1. Learner-Centered Approach

VARK focuses on identifying students' preferred learning styles—whether they are visual, auditory, read/write, or kinesthetic learners. This personalized approach allows instructors to tailor their teaching methods to match each learner's strengths, enhancing retention and engagement. Adult learners, in particular, benefit from this customization, as it acknowledges their prior experiences and learning preferences.

2. Quick Implementation

One of the strengths of the VARK is its efficiency. The assessment is straightforward, consisting of a short questionnaire that can be completed quickly-8 minutes or less. After clicking “OK” results are immediate, indicating a score in each of the domain areas.? This allows educators to immediately apply the results to their teaching strategies, making VARK an excellent choice for institutions looking to see fast results without extensive time commitments. Beyond time, teachers can design universal strategies for learning using different learning modalities to reach each student.?

Another value is that schools can purchase the option of a personalized tailored report for each student inclusive of twenty-five+ metacognitive strategies. While most beneficial, the student understands their strengths and has access to immediate strategies.? Of course, the teacher will have to model the strategies for student mastery.

3. Skill-Specific Strategies

Once a learner's preferred style is identified, VARK provides keywords aligned with the learning style, metacognitive strategies tailored to specific skill categories, such as information intake, communication, and study without tears (SWOT). In my experience these strategies are designed to equip the adult learner with self-advocacy in acquiring learning.? Also, learners can review the various strategies, research at home and watch modeling of the strategies.? Essentially, continuing their progress beyond the classroom.

As an #adultschool educator, I use the VARK for several successes. Surprisingly, adult teachers become uncomfortable when discussing adults not performing. I created a module for the teacher to use the VARK as a meet and greet and learn about the student within the first week of class. Both teacher and student begin to integrate various strategies.? I also facilitate school wide VARK professional development.? Essentially, all teachers become trained to impact every learner with universal strategies instead of individuals.?

LASSI: Digital Study Skills at a Teacher’s Fingertips

1. Holistic Assessment

LASSI takes a broader approach, evaluating ten different domains that directly and indirectly impact learning and study strategies. While the Lassi does not identify a learning strength it provides a different outlook by assessing the factors that impact student learning. These areas include: attitude, anxiety, concentration, information processing, motivation, selecting main ideas, self-testing, test strategies, time management and using academic resources.?

To continue, the LASSI is a short questionnaire taking upwards 30 minutes and generates a report of results after submission. The report is color-coded and represents percentiles from 1st to 100th.? This comprehensive assessment helps educators identify both the strengths and challenges faced by their students, providing a more detailed understanding of their needs.

Additionally, if the institution decides to take the inventory further, there are instructional modules designed to address each of the ten domains noted above.? Each module takes about one hour to read and complete. Within each module includes background information, metacognitive strategies, and engaged reading to understand the concept.

2. In-Depth Insights

Unlike VARK, which focuses on learning styles, LASSI offers a deep dive into the cognitive and emotional factors that impact learning. The questions in LASSI are designed to uncover underlying issues that may affect a learner's ability to succeed, such as the aforementioned. This makes it a powerful tool for addressing barriers to academic success in a holistic manner.

3. High Impact Learning Investment

LASSI can also be used as a digital teaching tool, especially for students with some level of independence. It's ideal for schools that don’t have an integrated study skills or personal development class, providing students with valuable resources to enhance their learning strategies on their own.

As an adult school educator, we have established time blocks where learners come into one of the teachers' classrooms in between periods, open the laptops and complete their LASSI modules. This supports high accountability and opportunities to discuss the teachings. Thus, transitioning into persistence, retention, and completion in high school equivalencies, CTE or GED.

"Juken Learning Services is active in providing professional development for student achievement. We focus on training and strategies that Get Results, Not Just Participation."

Any Choice is the Right Choice: VARK vs. LASSI

When deciding between VARK and LASSI, consider your institution's immediate needs and long-term goals. If you're looking for a quick, effective way to enhance instructional methods and improve retention, VARK's simplicity and speed is effective. It's particularly effective for institutions that want to implement changes rapidly without extensive training or preparation.

On the other hand, if your goal is to address a broader range of learning challenges and you have the time to invest in a more detailed assessment, LASSI offers deeper insights that can lead to significant improvements in student achievement. Its comprehensive approach can help identify and address issues that VARK might overlook because it encompasses instructional modules, as an option.

The Juken Learning Services Advantage: Professional Development That Gets Results

Regardless of the program you choose, partnering with Juken for professional development is a small investment that can yield substantial returns. By upskilling your teachers, you not only improve student outcomes but also empower your staff to sustain these achievements independently. This approach ensures that your institution remains strong and effective, even without ongoing external support.

In conclusion, both VARK and LASSI offer unique benefits that can enhance the effectiveness of adult education programs. The choice between them depends on your specific needs, but either way, investing in staff training through Juken Learning Services will position your school for Real Students = Real Results.

Call us today for a Discovery Discussion on reasonable Professional Development rates at [email protected]

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