Definition
This approach to learning emphasizes the fact that individuals
perceive and process information in very different ways. The
learning styles theory implies that how much individuals learn has
more to do with whether the educational experience is geared
toward their particular style of learning than whether or not they
are "smart." In fact, educators should not ask, "Is this student
smart?" but rather "How is this student smart?"
Discussion
The concept of learning styles is rooted in the classification of
psychological types. The learning styles theory is based on
research demonstrating that, as the result of heredity,
upbringing, and current environmental demands, different
individuals have a tendency to both perceive and process
information differently. The different ways of doing so are
generally classified as:
- Concrete and abstract perceivers--Concrete
perceivers absorb information through direct experience, by
doing, acting, sensing, and feeling. Abstract perceivers,
however, take in information through analysis, observation, and
thinking.
- Active and reflective processors--Active
processors make sense of an experience by immediately using the
new information. Reflective processors make sense of an
experience by reflecting on and thinking about it.
Traditional schooling tends to favor abstract perceiving and
reflective processing. Other kinds of learning aren't rewarded and
reflected in curriculum, instruction, and assessment nearly as
much.
How the Learning Styles Theory Impacts Education
Curriculum--Educators must place emphasis on intuition,
feeling, sensing, and imagination, in addition to the traditional
skills of analysis, reason, and sequential problem solving.
Instruction--Teachers should design their instruction
methods to connect with all four learning styles, using various
combinations of experience, reflection, conceptualization, and
experimentation. Instructors can introduce a wide variety of
experiential elements into the classroom, such as sound, music,
visuals, movement, experience, and even talking.
Assessment--Teachers should employ a variety of
assessment techniques, focusing on the development of "whole
brain" capacity and each of the different learning styles.
Reading
Bernice McCarthy, The 4-MAT System: Teaching to Learning Styles
with Right/Left Mode Techniques.
David Kolb, Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source
of Learning and Development.
Carl Jung, Psychological Types.
Gordon Lawrence, People Types and Tiger Stripes: A Practical
Guide to Learning Styles.
The content is written by On Purpose Associates
in
http://www.funderstanding.com/learning_styles.cfm.
