This week's Trainer's Tip, from Eddie Newall, is an exercise to demonstrate the visual, auditory, kinesthetic (VAK) learning styles model.

Give your participants the following scenario to discuss.

Four friends are travelling home together after having attended the same training course, which lasted for a week. During the week a diverse range of training methods were used, from traditional presentations and follow-up seminar discussion groups, to demonstrations, practical workshops, simulations and role-play. They are reflecting on their initial impressions of the week.

Mary liked the PowerPoint presentations and demonstrations, and was particularly impressed by the handouts; she thought that the practical workshops, simulations and role-play were a waste of time.

Tom preferred the discussion groups, and enjoyed listening to others’ views and expressing his own; he doesn’t like ‘lectures’ and thought that there were too many handouts.

Barbara said that she liked the practical workshops, simulations and role-play; she thought that too much use was made of PowerPoint and has never liked participating in discussion groups.

Keith said he didn’t have any preferences; he had enjoyed everything.

Then ask your participants to identify the preferred/dominant VAK learning style(s) for Mary, Tom, Barbara and Keith.

*Read more VAK exercises here.