3. Theories about learning styles have been widely
debunked.
There is little evidence to show that students perform
differently when learning styles are taken into account.
Remember our role: We are not creating lessons; we are
helping students understand them.
To learn more about the arguments against learning
styles, click here.
Disclaimer
4. "Learning styles can be defined, classified, and identified
in many different ways. Generally, they are overall
patterns that provide direction to learning and
teaching. [Preferred] learning style can also be described
as a set of factors, behaviors, and attitudes that facilitate
learning for an individual in a given situation."
https://web.cortland.edu/andersmd/learning/introduction.htm
What are learning styles?
5. Acknowledges individual needs and preferences
Gives us the opportunity to design strategies with
students
Continues our discussion about how students learn
Why should we discuss Learning
Styles?
8. Focus on understanding graphics
Create mind maps when taking notes
Use color-coding when possible
Watch youtube videos
Other strategies?
Visual
9. Focus on lectures
Record lecture (ask for permission first)
Check text resources for embedded reader
Read notes out loud when studying
Join a study group and discuss
Other strategies?
Aural/Auditory
10. Focus on assigned readings
Write out concepts in your own words
Rewrite PP's prior to class and add notes from class
Seek out additional texts on the subject
Other strategies?
Reading/writing
11. Focus on hands-on application when available
Follow along with youtube video
Seek out case studies and real-world applications
Move around while studying
Visualize sensory details when learning
Other strategies?
Kinesthetic
12. May adapt mode depending on situation
May need all modes to be satisfied to perceive fully
You can:
Encourage students to develop other modes
Acknowledge that instructors cannot always appeal to all
learning styles
Reinforce the student's control over their own education
Bi/multi-modal
Editor's Notes
In higher education, the term "learning styles" brings up debate. Just like in any industry, the need for evidence-based practice is at the center of the controversy. So, studies by experts such as cognitive scientist, Daniel Willingham have not seen evidence that links individual learning styles to individual performance. Willingham suggests, instead, that education should focus on the delivery of content versus individual preferences. And that makes sense from the perspective of instructors who may for example, HAVE to lecture to deliver material even though that might not appeal to every learner.
However, our job is not to create the lessons. And, students often come to tutoring citing the restraint of their learning preference.
There are many theories: Multiple intelligences—Howard Gardner; Kolb's Experiential Learning Model; Cognitive Personality inventories such as Meyer's-Briggs. We will focus on the simple theory of VARK as many students refer to this classification without even knowing the model.
Just like every other area of life, we can do our jobs better when we acknowledge diversity and individual needs. While a lesson may be delivered to appeal to only one learning style, we can help students identify strategies that work best for them to learn the concepts. This gives us the opportunity to address a student who says "I can't learn from my instructor. I'm a very visual learner, and all she does is read from the PowerPoint." We can redirect those conversations by giving ownership back to the student. "That's great that you know you are a visual learner. Let's talk about strategies that you can use to process this material."
Very few courses can be taught within the restraints of the three hours they meet each week. Students can tap into their strengths as they supplement the weekly lectures during their own studies.
This is the most simple way to categorize learning styles and acknowledges what most students know about themselves. For example, Marcela shared with us last week that she learns by listening to the lecture then going back and organizing information further. She would be considered an auditory learner, so we could help her design strategies that work for her as she processes the information from her lectures.
An example of determining a learning style using this model would be to think about assembling a piece of furniture from IKEA. Would you do this best by looking at graphics or watching a video—Visual. Listening to someone tell you how to put it together—Auditory. Reading the instructions—Reading/Writing. Simply putting the parts out and making it work--Kinesthetic
You can take the VARK questionnaire to identify your preferred learning style(s) using this link. It may be useful to use this with your students, but it is extremely important that they understand this is how THEY process best, not how their instructors need to deliver their material.
From the VARK questionnaire, these types of learning styles (or preferences) can be identified.
