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Table of Contents
Educators have the complicated task of providing trainees with knowledge, that is useful, interesting and is retained. Most, if not all, educators work in diverse classrooms - trainees have different backgrounds, different levels of interest in a particular subject, in some cases disabilities, different retention rates and abilities as well as, according to research, different learning styles. In this lesson, the focus is going to be on the learning preferences - what does it mean, how can they be identified and how can educators utilize this information.
When we consider “learning styles”, what they refer to is the ways in which we learn in the most efficient way - how we absorb, process and retain information the best. Studies have shown that different people have different learning styles - either distinct, or a mixture of several approaches. The road to identifying the above started with Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, published in 1983 within the book ‘Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences’, where he identifies eight different categories, deemed as the “biopsychological potential for processing information”. The objective that Gardner had was to “empower students” and “not limit them to a single learning modality”. In a nutshell, he acknowledged the uniqueness of each student and hence their specific needs when it comes to learning that cannot be optimally met with existing curriculum approaches.
According to Gardner, these are the 8 types of intelligences that directly correspond to the learning styles:
It is important to note that in 2009, he also suggested two additional types of intelligence, namely, existential and moral.
These learning styles can in fact be grouped into four main categories: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic learners and Reading/writing learners. It is important to note, that most people have one dominant trait, and at least one more that can be utilized - namely a person can be a Visual learner, but also with a high rate of reading/writing. It is also more efficient to focus on four categories, instead of attempting to fully cater to more in a single classroom.
If interested in a different approach, the Enneagram model provides another type of categorization of personality and how it can affect the learning process. “This model is widely used to study dominant behavior traits to better understand the abilities and weaknesses of an individual” and utilize them in the best way possible. It suggests that each person has one dominant and could have traces of personality traits from the other domains. These are titled as follows:
Most educators have quite a good understanding of their trainees’ abilities. However, many may not be able to show said abilities, due to the standardization of the training approach and curriculum. The learning style of each trainee can sometimes be identified through observation. This however is applicable if the trainer is aware of the different styles and has received training in identifying them accurately. Here are some tips however that can support the observation process, when considering the four main categories:
An easy way to understand what the optimal learning technique is through a questionnaire, as often even the learners themselves are not formally aware of what way of studying would work best - it happens naturally as on a subconscious level they know what works best. However, if the trainer is not aware, they will not be able to cater to the needs of the learners and thus present the information in an optimal manner. An example for such a questionnaire, used for a slightly younger audience but easy to adapt, including guidelines on how it can be used can be found on the platform of the Golden Ratio Teaching project, available at: http://golden-ratio-teaching.eu/project-results/the-grt-training-programme/.
Once aware of the learning style/styles of each learner, the trainer can utilize this knowledge in the presentation of a lesson. If for instance, there is a high number of Visual learners, the inclusion of more images, charts or videos will be very helpful. If there are many Audio learners, providing background music can support the teaching process. As most classrooms are mixed, trainers are advised to use a plethora of approaches first to meet the needs, but also to provide different opportunities for learners to expand their learning style. A highly used and result-based approach to doing this is utilizing Universal Design for Learning, also known as UDL. This will be discussed at length in the following Lesson.
Furthermore, the learning styles can be taken into consideration when assigning homework. Bearing in mind the different aptitudes of the learners, the trainer may allow the homework, when there is such, to be done and presented in accordance with their respective learning styles. This will lead to an increase in interest and involvement, better outputs and ultimately in higher achievements.