Do VARK and Honey-Mumford Learning Styles Correlate?
In the ever-evolving world of education and training, understanding how learners absorb information is vital. Gill Payne’s action research project tackles a compelling question for educators: Is there a correlation between Honey & Mumford’s Learning Styles and Neil Fleming’s VARK model in two different learner groups?
This study explores whether these two popular learning style frameworks—Honey & Mumford’s Activist, Reflector, Theorist, and Pragmatist styles, and Fleming’s Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic modalities—overlap or differ significantly in how individuals identify their preferred ways of learning. With two distinct learner groups participating, the research examines whether patterns of similarity or divergence exist, and what implications this has for instructional design.
Using a mixed-methods approach that includes learner questionnaires and reflective analysis, the study identifies dominant styles within each framework and compares the degree of alignment between them. Are kinaesthetic learners more likely to be Activists? Do Reflectors favour reading and writing as a preferred method of study? These are just a few of the questions explored.
What sets this project apart is its relevance for anyone designing or delivering adult learning programmes. By highlighting key differences and overlaps between these models, the research offers insight into how trainers and educators might better tailor content to meet varied learning preferences—improving learner engagement and retention.
Whether you're an educational professional, trainer, or simply curious about learning theories, this study provides a practical and insightful look at how understanding learner preferences can improve the way we teach. Read the full report to see how theory meets real-world learning environments.