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Learning About Learning Styles
Most educators believe that students will learn better if material is presented in a way that suits their “learning style” - for example, “visual learners” will do best if lessons are presented in a format that emphasizes the visual presentation of information. The belief in learning styles is very well accepted among educators and has spawned a thriving industry of teaching materials and professional development that is very lucrative for the the individuals who peddle these wares. The researchers in this study surveyed the studies on learning styles and found no evidence to support the notion that students learn better if their supposed learning styles are catered to. Furthermore, teachers’ attempts to cater to supposed learning styles turned out to result in the use of suboptimal teaching approaches. Quoting from the report: “Limited education resources would better be devoted to adopting other educational practices that have a strong evidence base, of which there are an increasing number”.
I have never fully brought into the learning styles.
“Given the capacity of humans to learn, it seems especially important to keep all avenues, options, and aspirations open for our students, our children, and ourselves. Toward that end, we think the primary focus should be on identifying and introducing the experiences, activities, and challenges that enhance everybody’s learning.”
The above is what I believe in, and children need to hear, see, and do in various amounts, for learning to occur.