Just how many different learning styles are out there?
Based upon the past 40 years of research on learning/cognitive styles, listed below are the major types/categories. With all of these learning styles, how can a teacher accommodate them given a typical, heterogenous online classroom...what's teacher to do?
- Converger; diverger; assimilator; accommodator (Kolb’s LSI)
- Concrete sequential; abstract random; abstract sequential; concrete random (Gregorc’s learning style topography)
- Leveling/Sharpening cognitive styles (Klein)
- Impulsive/Reflective cognitive styles (Kagan)
- Visual/Haptic (Lowenfeld & Brittain)
- Sensory/intuitive; visual/verbal; active/reflective; sequential/global (Felder & Silverman four-dimension model)
- Grasha-Reichmann Student Learning Style Scales
- Activists; reflectors; pragmatists; theorists (Honey & Mumford's learning styles)
- Analytic/non-analytic; conceptualizing (Messick)
- Canfield Learning Styles Inventory
- Verbalizer-Visualizer learning styles
- Field dependent/field independent (Witkin’s cognitive styles)
- Visual, aural, kinesthetic (Dunn & Dunn)
The complete inventory can be reviewed here: Coffield, F., Moseley, D., Hall, E., & Ecclestone, K. (2004). Learning styles and pedagogy in post-16 learning. Learning Skills and Research Centre, London. Retrieved from http://www.leerbeleving.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/learning-styles.pdf
Rebecca,
I agree with you. I try to differentiate my learning activities as well as my content delivery to ensure that I am meeting as many unique learning styles as possible. Just as we would in a traditional class, we try to include as diverse activities as possible to ensure that the students are connecting with the lessons and materials. The more we can "mix it up" the more likely we are to meet the unique needs of our students.
Herbert Brown III
I have always felt that there was as many learning styles as there was the number of students you have. Not all fit into one category but may blend into several. Using as many learning styles as you can will at least touch some part of the students learning style.
Jolly,
I would suggest that the reality of customizing online instruction to every possible learning style is not reasonable. However, by designing "open" assignments, providing course content using a variety of media, and providing extensive variety in the overall course design, we inherently have a better chance of reaching our diverse student body.
Herbert Brown III
Jolly,
I would suggest that the reality of customizing online instruction to every possible learning style is not reasonable. However, by designing "open" assignments, providing course content using a variety of media, and providing extensive variety in the overall course design, we inherently have a better chance of reaching our diverse student body.
Herbert Brown III
