Learning styles

Abstract: Drawing on the foundational theories of John Dewey and Kurt Lewin, we examine recent developments in theory and research on experiential learning and explore how this work can enhance experiential ...

Abstract: The term “learning styles” refers to the concept that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them. Proponents of learning-style assessment contend that optimal instruction requires diagnosing individuals' learning style and tailoring instruction accordingly. Assessments of learning style typically ask people to evaluate what sort of information presentation they prefer (e.g., words versus pictures versus speech) and/or what kind of mental activity they find most engaging or congenial (e.g., analysis versus listening), although assessment instruments are extremely diverse. The most common—but not the only—hypothesis about the instructional relevance of learning styles is the meshing hypothesis, according to which instruction is best provided in a format that matches the preferences of the learner (e.g., for a “visual learner,” emphasizing visual presentation of information).The learning-styles view has acquired great influence within the education field, and...

Abstract: Learning style instruments are widely used but not enough is known about their reliability and validity and their impact on pedagogy in post-16 learning. This report documents work from a project commissioned by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) to carry out an extensive review of research on post-16 learning styles, to evaluate the main models of learning styles, and to discuss the implications of learning styles for post-16 teaching and learning. The following research questions were addressed: What models of learning styles are influential and potentially influential? What empirical evidence is there to support the claims made for these models? What are the broad implications for pedagogy of these models? What empirical evidence is there that models of learning styles have an impact on students’ learning? The project identified the range of models that are available and influential or potentially influential in research and practice, located these models within identifiable ‘families’ of ideas about learning styles, evaluated the theories, claims and applications of these models, with a particular focus on evaluating the authors’ claims for reliability and validity, evaluated the claims made for the pedagogical implications of the selected models of learning styles, identified what gaps there are in current knowledge and what future research is needed in this area, and made recommendations and drew conclusions about the research field as a whole. In conclusion, the implications for pedagogy are drawn out and recommendations and conclusions are offered for practitioners, policymakers and the research community. The report concludes that it matters fundamentally which model is chosen. A second report (indexed at TD/TNC 79.72) discusses the appeal of learning styles as well as offering an overview of ways in which political and institutional contexts in the learning and skills sector affect the ways that learning styles might be put into practice.

Abstract: 1.Educational Psychology: A Foundation for Teaching. What Makes a Good Teacher? What Is the Role of Research in Educational Psychology? What Research Methods Are Used in Educational Psychology? 2.Theories of Development. What Are Some Views of Human Development? How Did Piaget View Cognitive Development? How Is Piagets Work Viewed Today? How Did Vygotsky View Cognitive Development? How Did Erickson View Personal and Social Development? What Are Some Theories of Moral Development? 3.Development During Childhood and Adolescence. How Do Children Develop During the Preschool Years? What Kinds of Early Childhood Education Programs Exist? How Do Children Develop During the Elementary Years? How Do Children Develop During the Middle School and High School Years? 4.Student Diversity. What Is the Impact of Culture on Teaching and Learning? How Does Socioeconomic Status Affect Student Achievement? How Do Ethnicity and Race Affect Students School Experiences? How Do Language Differences Affect Student Achievement? What Is Multicultural Education? How Do Gender and Gender Bias Affect Students School Experiences? How Do Students Differ in Intelligence and Learning Styles? 5.Behavioral Theories of Learning. What Is Learning? What Behavioral Learning Theories Have Evolved? What Are Some Principles of Behavioral Learning? How Has Social Learning Theory Contributed to Our Understanding of Human Learning? 6.Cognitive Theories of Learning: Basic Concepts. What Is an Information-Processing Model? What Causes People to Remember or Forget? How Can Memory Strategies Be Taught? What Makes Information Meaningful? How Do Metacognitive Skills Help Students Learn? What Study Strategies Help Students Learn? How Do Cognitive Teaching Strategies Help Students Learn? 7.The Effective Lesson. What Is Direct Instruction? How Is a Direct Instruction Lesson Taught? What Does Research on Direct Instruction Methods Suggest? How Do Students Learn and Transfer Concepts? How Are Discussions Used in Instruction? 8.Student-Centered and Constructivist Approaches to Instruction. What Is the Constructivist View of Learning? How Is Cooperative Learning Used in Instruction? How Are Problem-Solving and Thinking Skills Taught? 9.Accommodating Instruction to Meet Individual Needs. What Are Elements of Effective Instruction beyond a Good Lesson? How Are Students Grouped to Accommodate Achievement Differences? What Is Mastery Learning? What Are Some Ways of Individualizing Instruction? What Educational Programs Exist for Students Placed at Risk? 10.Motivating Students to Learn. What Is Motivation? What Are Some Theories of Motivation? How Can Achievement Motivation Be Enhanced? How Can Teachers Increase Students Motivation to Learn? How Can Teachers Reward Performance, Effort, and Improvement? 11.Effective Learning Environments. What Is an Effective Learning Environment? What Is the Impact of Time on Learning? What Practices Contribute to Effective Classroom Management? What Are Some Strategies for Managing Routine Misbehavior? How Is Applied Behavior Analysis Used to Manage More Serious Behavior Problems? How Can Serious Behavior Problems Be Prevented? 12.Learners with Exceptionalities. What Are Learners with Exceptionalities? What Is Special Education? What Are Mainstreaming and Inclusion? 13.Assessing Student Learning. What Are Instructional Objectives and How Are They Used? Why Is Evaluation Important? How Is Student Learning Evaluated? How Are Tests Constructed? What Are Portfolio and Performance Assessments? 14.Standardized Tests and Grades. What Are Standardized Tests and How Are They Used? What Types of Standardized Tests Are Given? How Are Standardized Tests Interpreted? What Are Some Issues Concerning Standardized and Classroom Testing? How Are Grades Determined? References. Name Index. Subject Index.