M.Ed.-I sem
Unit-4
Learning styles:
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 is frequently
encountered at levels ranging from kindergarten to graduate school. There is a
thriving industry devoted to publishing learning-styles tests and guidebooks
for teachers, and many organizations offer professional development workshops
for teachers and educators built around the concept of learning styles.
Ellis (1985) described learning style as it helps a person in a consistent way to become conscious of information needed, how to clarify and develop concepts organize and recall information at the time of need.
What is Learning Style?
Learning styles refer to a range of competing and contested theories that aim to account for differences in individuals' learning
Learning style is basically how do
learner gather information, skill to explain it, information which is not
applicable to separate it, organize the matter and combine the information,
they store information to use it in future as per the need.
Each of us have different learning style
and how accordingly we organize our matter is what learning style describes
about.
This learning style come from the
learners their specific characteristic, their learning experiences, their
culture and the society they live in.
v
v Theory of Neil Fleming's VARK model
Neil
given V A R K Model of learning style;
Where ,
ü V= VISUAL
LEARNING STYLE
ü A=AUDITORY
LEARNING STYLE
ü R=READ/WRITE
LEARNING STYLE
ü K=KINESTHETIC
LEARNING STYLE
1-V= VISUAL LEARNING STYLE :-
v Learners
who prefer visual learning style they learn best by seeing.
v They
prefer to see the information presented in visual rather than in written form.
v Graphic
displays like charts, diagrams, illustration, handouts and videos are all
helpful learning tools for visual learners.
v They
visualize what they are doing or what they want to do.
v Learns
best in interactive formats: Role play, modeling, groups etc.
v Easily
gets distracts when there are no visual aids while explaining.
v Use multiple visual formats: chart
presentation software, video, notes, worksheets, flip charts, diagrams etc.
v Write
goals? Objectives of lessons on board.
v Open-ended
creative questions encouraging multiple interpretation and solutions.
v Leave
white space in handouts for note taking .
v Invite
questions to help them stay alert.
v Emphasize
key points to cue when to take notes.
v Mind
mapping can be indulge to visual learning style children.
2- AUDITORY LEARNING
STYLE
. A=AUDITORY LEARNING STYLE
ü Learners
learn best when information are spoken.
ü They
do not need careful notes to learn, avoids eye contact to concentrate.
ü They
read aloud when they are learning or they keep music on in background when they
study.
ü This
type of learners are good at remembering things they are told.
ü Lecturers,
group discussion, radio, email, speaking are the best way for auditory learners
to learn.
ü Traditional
lecture, independent work.
ü Group
discussion: feedback, paraphrasing from peers.
ü Individual
conference/ interviews with instructor.
ü Allow
“thinking time” to process information.
ü Try
to do brainstorming.
ü Tasks
calling for specific answers/ solutions.
ü Phrasing
information several different ways.
ü Begin
new material with “ what is coming” conclude with “what was covered”.
ü Give
time to debrief in order to make connection.
3.R= READ/WRITE LEARNING STYLE
- Reading and writing learners prefer to
take in information displayed as words.
- Learning materials that are primarily
text based are strongly preferred.
- This type of learner prefers to say the
words/sentences and write it as well to learn. Essay, PowerPoint making,
reports, manual they are good at it.
- They are good at writing down notes
during lectures.
- They prefer area which is quiet to learn
and study themselves to prefer distraction.
- Make chart of a chapter where everything
is in written form and less of diagrams and charts.
- When you make notes for this type
learner make sure you make the sentence into bullet points.
- Give a handout of what you have teach in
class after a class to have a revision.
- Tell them to mark the key words in their
notes so that they recollect things easily.
4-K= KINESTHETIC LEARNING STYLE
This type of learner prefers touch as their primarily mode for taking in information, they are connected to reality.
This learners need more and more
practical work.
They need opportunities for creativity,
hands on learning, interaction with concrete materials.
Learning is best accommodated through
movements.
This type of learners doesn’t like to
seat at one place and learn they want to try things to get its knowledge.
They learn from lot of projects, new
concrete personal experiences.
They believe in doing things and
learning, it also includes case study and application based learning.
Experiential learning activities: labs,
modules, educational games.
Simulation( interact with/apply
concepts)
Interaction via technology: audio,
video, computers.
Demonstrations/ role play/ case studies.
Internships, different field trips can
be organized, more of practical should be included.
Give frequent stretch breaks( brain
breaks).
Have students transfer information from
the text to another medium such as a keyboard.
Advantages OF Learning Styles:-
ü Independency Students gain independence in
their learning as they decipher their preferences. They are less dependent on
educators or other authorities to aid them in learning.
ü Easy to Use It is very simple to use by anyone
as it doesn’t dive into particular details or complex vernacular.
ü Science of Learning The VARK started a
movement of looking at how individuals learn and the varying modalities of
these learning preferences. It created a methodology and vernacular, engaging
educators in identifying key factors in how their students learn.
ü Varying Modalities The VARK learning
style promotes educators to look at varying ways of engaging students instead
of simply looking at only their preference mode of learning. For instance, a
teacher that prefers to read/write as their mode of learning will tend to teach
with those modalities. But by recognizing other modalities, the educator will
provide other means of learning -such as media for visual learners.
ü Flexibility Students and educators recognize
that they do not need to be stuck in one mode of learning. They can switch from
one preference to another.
ü Learner Growth As learning preferences are
identified, students and educators then can gradually introduce other modes of
learning, stretching the learner to find ways and adapt to these other
modalities.
Disadvantages of Learning Style:
- v Categorizing The VARK can make it too easy to categorize individuals into four areas. This has been stated as being too simplistic and not enough options as individuals are unique.
- v Restrictive
The VARK model has been criticized for being too restrictive. Only about 39% of
people who take the VARK test fit best into one single category (Kharb, et. al,
2013). In fact, research has proven that individuals actually fit into a
bimodal or trimodal learning style. Yet, individuals desire to force learners
into one mode.
- v Implementation VARK
is known for not giving enough direction to educators on how to implement the
model through specifics.
- v Accommodation Educators acknowledge the difficulty in
accommodating all of the varying learning modalities embedded in this learning
style model.
- v Time Constraints It is increasingly difficult to be able to
address the different modalities for one piece of learning when referring to
the time constraints in the classroom. Take a moment to ponder the time
requirements to teach the same material by using all of the varying modalities.
- v Validity There have been many questions on the
validity of the measurement of this learning style and the research collected
(Pasher et. al. 2009).
- v Hindering
Learning Some critics believe that labeling students may actually hinder their
learning instead of aiding them as it directs the student to learning a
particular way to the neglect of other modalities.
Psychologist Erik Erikson developed his 
