Learning Styles: Love 'Em or Leave 'Em?

And, what to do if you love 'em...

     Although learning styles theory is a widely used and accepted practice in education, one need not look far to find a multitude of research disputing its validity and reliability. While proponents pledge allegiance to it, opponents claim improper evidence, inadequate design, and an insufficient hypothesis. I am a proponent of learning styles as a prompt for inspiration, a tool for engagement, and a basis for education. I believe in ‘engaging, inspiring, and educating interactively’ (online or anywhere). And, I have experienced its effectiveness as both teacher and learner.

Image: ProProfs.com

     Learning (and teaching) styles indicate a preference of one style over others. While we cannot possibly accommodate every individual’s preference in every action or component, we can take steps to ensure variety and avoid exclusion. The best way I can fathom accomplishing this feat is by ‘flipping the classroom’.
First, put the lectures online. Doc form, video form, podcast form, include a links page, and post them on a platform that allows social sharing and interacting. This way each student can choose how he/she prefers to learn.

     Day One--Have each student complete a learning style inventory. Cover how each learning style can benefit from which form of lecture presentation. Keep in mind, this is the same lecture presented in many various forms.

     Then design in-class work based on the lectures to accommodate each style. Remember, we aren’t coming up with 20-30 different activities, just 4-6. Let each student decide which one he or she prefers to participate in.

     Present assessments online, in similar formats, where questions are written; in video or podcast form; and presented through links. Classroom management could prove a less daunting task, since students have some input as to how they learn, and teachers become facilitators of interaction, rather than deliverers of material.
Completing and assessing the learning style inventory gives students an insight into self--who doesn't enjoy that?...Engage. Allowing students a choice tailored to his/her self-assessed learning style--who wouldn't prefer a say-so here?...Inspire. Flipping the classroom to encourage interaction--worth a shot, right?...Educate. I say, why not? What say ye?

Learning Styles: Love 'em or Leave 'em?

And, if you love 'em, and implement them, how do you go about it?