PSYC FPX 3500 assessment 2

Learning Styles Theory

Introduction

Discovering how to find out the composition of factors and traits that are responsible for successful learning methods has been brought into question and researched by teachers and professionals for many years. Being able to recognize the different factors of learning that contribute to individuals being more effective during the process of learning could help educators and students better prepare themselves for success. No matter where the environment is, be it a school, workplace, or home, having the ability to recognize the most effective learning style for a student may be the key to the best possible outcome in the learning process. And while it is extremely critical to identify and recognize certain learning styles, being able to accommodate and tailor each one can prove more difficult to control, both in the classroom and online.

The Impact of Learning Styles

We all learn in our own way, be it by listening, observing and note-taking, asking and doing, or something else. Different learning styles impact learners differently. Some of us learn and understand learning visually or orally, while others need a concrete, step-by-step approach to learning to allow them to thoroughly understand the subject matter. It is not only important for a teacher, instructor, or facilitator to know, but it can also be highly beneficial for the learner themselves to know the learning style that suits them best.

By making learners realize their own learning style, they become more self-assured in learning and maximize their learning experience better (Truong, 2016). Once the learning style has been established, then the teaching staff is better able to determine the most effective teaching style to best ensure maximum learning and facilitate maximum learning (Kirschner, 2017). The theory that every individual has a specific learning style is constantly developing, with some researchers presuming that learning styles change throughout the duration of a lifetime, and others presume that individual learners acquire individualized learning styles based on previous learning behavior (Xiao & Abdul Rahman, 2017).

According to research done by Truong (2016), the learning styles terrain is overcrowded, with over 70 diverse theories created in the last 30 years. It is not such a simple task to modify a lesson or learning module for each individual learning style, considering there are so many diverse learning styles, instructors try to accommodate in a way that would be most beneficial for all students. No matter if the learner is a secondary school student, a novice employee, or a business executive, knowing their individual learning style may enable the learning process to be more efficient in order to provide more efficient learning.

Research Methodology of Learning Styles Theory

All the articles used in research on Learning Styles Theory were relevant to efficient learning processes. Knowing and determining learning styles is useful to individuals of all ages and all learning types, but not everyone agrees that learning styles are significant in effective and efficient learning. In a peer-reviewed article by Paul Kirschner (2017), the validity and reliability of the tests utilized in studying learning styles are extremely questionable because there are numerous inconsistencies. Kirschner, in his research, discovered that questionnaires and surveys of qualitative self-reporting were the most used source of methodology for research into learning styles theory, which he discovered to be inaccurate and not always optimal.

With learning styles traditionally being measured by questionnaires and surveys, other researchers also doubt the precision of the method used, partly because the questions employed may be outdated or biased (Truong, 2016). Truong is also certain that testing online could be most precise as by being able to see the entire step-by-step learning process of the person, it would give a more complete picture of the learner’s true learning style (2016).

In a pilot study study, scholars found that personal traits, behavior, and time limitations are all deciding factors leading to holistic learning as well as precisely identifying their learning style (Xiao & Abdul Rahman, 2017). All articles were applicable and appropriate in research on the appliability and application of the theory of learning styles.

Limitations and Strengths

Ideal on paper, ideally it would be best if the educators and all types of facilitators could fit each learning type into their system of learning. Alas, with so much learning style theory out there, even finding the right and reasonable method of assessment would be troublesome in most classrooms. It would be incredibly helpful if instructors and teachers were able to tailor themselves to the learning style of each student, thus providing a much more interactive form of learning that would be more precise and comprehensive. The learning styles theory offers many advantages to students and teachers alike, but the time taken to test and the fact that the learning styles can theoretically shift over a period of time are drawbacks.

Summary and Conclusion

It is not an unrealistic theory that different learners all learn in different ways. Given the intricacy of the human brain, it would be no wonder that there are various ways of presenting information so that the learner can better grasp the learning material. During the process of learning, the learner needs to actually understand the content of the material to be able to remember the information, and this is the reason why learning style identification is important. Regardless of whether the learning modality is auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or sequential, providing a more personalized learning space may provide the student with the authority to really succeed and have a healthier relationship with the learning process overall. By integrating different learning styles together in a lesson or model of instruction, the instructor is giving the learner a higher opportunity to comprehend the information, and it is beneficial to teacher as well as student.