Comments on: Learning Styles

By: Clark

Clark — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:27:37 +0000

Koreen, I say that people do differ as learners but a) the instruments out there to assess learning styles aren't psychometrically valid, and b) there's no evidence that you should adapt instruction to learners's styles (use the right media for the message). Two later posts, one on rethinking, and this one on going further elaborate my thoughts. In short, I think that we might find results if we took the learner's anxiety/confidence level into account, and work with their learning style while they're anxious, and once they're confident, we might challenge them against their style. But that's an empirical questionâ€¦.

By: Koreen Olbrish

Koreen Olbrish — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:42:03 +0000

Someone just tweeted this again, Clark :) So would you say that learning styles don’t exist, or they do but we shouldn’t design for them? Because I’m usually screaming they don’t exist from the rooftops ;)

By: Learning Styles: The Validating Evidence is Not There

Learning Styles: The Validating Evidence is Not There — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:55:25 +0000

[…] Clark Quinn :Â http://blog.learnlets.com/?p=166Â -Â From:Â http://learnstreaming.com/7-resources-explaining-the-learning-styles-myth/Â – […]

By: Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:15:02 +0000

I hate to say “when I was in school” but when I was in school there was a big emphasis on learning styles although in my case it was in K-12. At the same time validated research on various educational practices (programmed instruction, various media types, and the like) had a big focus. Of course basic research showed no significant (or any at all) differences for accommodating learning styles. Yet the myth remains.

By: Clark

Clark — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 16:09:58 +0000

Rene, I agree that categorization using these insufficiently justified approaches is wrong. They can be used for ‘awareness raising’ to shake someone out of the “all students are the same”, but they’re not the basis for prescriptive interventions. And stop calling me Harold! ;)

By: Rene Meijer

Rene Meijer — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:55:47 +0000

Thanks for this Harold! I’ve been rather uneasy about these sorts of diagnostics and classifications, in the same way that I am not always happy with our approach to dealing with learning difficulties. I do think a lot of these ideas can be useful, but more as something to keep in the back of your mind when designing resources and activities. The objective here is to make sure you design something that is adaptable and varied and a consideration of these styles can help you do that.

The problem arises when we start to feel the need to categorize people based on these ideas, and slap a standard recipe for success on their learning based on this categorization.

By: Harold Jarche » Designing Learning for Any Style

Harold Jarche » Designing Learning for Any Style — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 12:04:43 +0000

[…] as a catch-phrase to say that the training will be suitable for different tastes and abilities. Clark Quinn has one word on learning styles – rubbish. I agree, noting that Will Thalheimer still hasn’t […]

By: Clark

Clark — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:26:10 +0000

No worries, Cammy, all you have to do is ask: I have opinions on lots of things! ;)

By: Harold Jarche

Harold Jarche — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:52:42 +0000

My thoughts? First, figure out what the person is supposed to do. Next, determine what tools, practice and support are best for the circumstances, including the work environment and other general characteristics. Then use sound instructional, media and information presentation methods to create learning resources that provide some flexibility for different needs and abilities.

I have yet to see any evidence of an effective learning program that used learning styles to any degree. I know that Will Thalheimer tried to get some evidence, but so far no takers on this year-old challenge:

“I will give $1000 (US dollars) to the first person or group who can prove that taking learning styles into account in designing instruction can produce meaningful learning benefits.”

http://www.willatworklearning.com/2006/08/learning_styles.html

By: Cammy

Cammy — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:02:49 +0000

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! I’ve been eager to hear your take.