Research findings - no basis for 'learning styles' claim

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debbie
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Research findings - no basis for 'learning styles' claim

Post by debbie »

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/jou ... PI_9_3.pdf
Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence

Harold Pashler, Mark McDaniel, Doug Rohrer, and Robert Bjork
Here is a flavour of the summary findings:
Our review of the literature disclosed ample evidence that children and adults will, if asked, express preferences about how they prefer information to be presented to them. There is also plentiful evidence arguing that people differ in the degree to which they have some fairly specific aptitudes for different kinds of thinking and for processing different types of information.

However, we found virtually no evidence for the interaction pattern mentioned above, which was judged to be a precondition for validating the educational applications of learning styles. Although the literature on learning styles is enormous, very few studies have even used an experimental methodology capable of testing the validity of learning styles applied to education. Moreover, of those that did use an appropriate method, several found results that flatly contradict the popular meshing hypothesis.

We conclude therefore, that at present, there is no adequate evidence base to justify incorporating learning- styles assessments into general educational practice. Thus, limited education resources would better be devoted to adopting other educational practices that have a strong evidence base, of which there are an increasing number. However, given the lack of methodologically sound studies of learning styles, it would be an error to conclude that all possible versions of learning styles have been tested and found wanting; many have simply not been tested at all.
Debbie Hepplewhite
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debbie
Posts: 2596
Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:28 pm
Location: UK

Post by debbie »

Read this too - via Kerry Hempenstall's blog:

http://nifdi.org/news/hempenstall-blog/ ... ing-styles
Content modality or learner modality? Various quotes on learning styles

Kerry Hempenstall RMIT University

First published Dec 6 2012

Like the three cueing system, the notion of learning styles has continued to have great appeal among educators. It has undeniable intuitive appeal – after all don’t we value individual difference? When a concept has social currency it seems churlish to dispute its existence on purely rational or empirical grounds. If it feels right, then one may have an emotional attachment despite an absence of research to support its usefulness in the classroom.

If learning styles were simply a value system that stimulated teachers to provide the best possible teaching to all their charges then there would be little cause for concern. However, there are practical implications that may actually disadvantage some students, either because the method chosen is unhelpful to the concept or operation being taught, or simply because of the opportunity cost when an inefficient approach is employed. Struggling students can least afford low quality or inefficient instruction.
Do visit the link.
Debbie Hepplewhite
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