When we hear the term “style”, we typically think of fashion. Seems pretty harmless, right? Unfortunately, the term “style” frequently gets applied to learning and, when applied in this way, it’s not so harmless.
The learning styles movement stems from the theory that students have preexisting preferences for how they learn things, which contributes to their having strengths in some areas and weaknesses in others. Teachers are trained to avoid weaknesses and only teach to a learner’s strengths.
The big problem with the entire learning styles movement, which dominates education, is that it’s based on a theory rather than science. Learning styles are a myth. Yet, 90% of teachers continue to believe in them.
Learning styles actually refer to how learners respond to information.
For example, some learners respond better to visual information whereas others respond better to auditory information. However, the fact that they respond differently doesn’t imply that this is how they learn. On the contrary, how learners respond to information is the result of learning – not the cause of it.
Learning styles are actually skills – skills that must be learned through effective instruction and repeated, reinforced practice.
If a learner struggles to respond to auditory information, then they need training in listening skills. If a learner struggles to respond to visual information, then they need training in looking skills.
Just because learners have eyes and ears, doesn’t mean that they will effectively look or listen. Looking and listening are skills that must be strengthened through training.
Learning styles are also believed to be inherent characteristics of learners – like personality. It is widely believed that learning styles are fixed traits that can’t be changed or improved. As a result, many learners never receive the kind of training required to strengthen their weaknesses, which leads to lifelong limitations.
All learners need to effectively respond to academic material in a variety of ways, such as:
- Listening to a lecture
- Reading
- Evaluating graphs and figures
Categorizing learners into various “learning styles” ensures that their skills deficits are never effectively addressed, which can lead to long-term academic failure.
At Fit Learning Online, we don’t rely on myths to explain academic failure.
We solve the problem through effective instruction, repeated practice, ongoing measurement of learning, and data-based decision-making. We leave the myths to the storytellers.