Accommodating Different Learning Styles in the Classroom

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Accommodating Different Learning Styles in the Classroom

“Learning styles.” What are learning styles? Various researchers have created different tools that categorize the way people acquire and retain information. Some of these include Gardner’s multiple intelligences, McCarthy’s 4-Mat System, and the Myers-Briggs personality type indicators (Ebeling 2000). Haar, Hall, Schoepp & Smith (2002) define learning styles as “individual differences in the way information is perceived, processed, and communicated.” There are two main points to cover when discussing learning styles. The first part is the specifics of each learning style. The second part is how to teach someone who is a certain style or combination of styles. Another important thing to consider and discuss is how we can use current technology in light of this information to better teach the students of tomorrow. There are many options out there for teachers and those in the education field to adapt their curriculum for any type of learner.

There are various theories on learning, but there are four general learning styles: visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. Each style has very specific attributes. The following information is adapted from Barbara Wilson’s (2002) classroom handout on learning styles:

Visual learners:

1. Learn best when they can see it.

2. Like reading and are comfortable with the written word.

3. Like to write things down.

4. Like charts and graphs.

5. Like working in workbooks and worksheets.

6. Prefer a quiet working environment.

7. Prefer their working environment to be in order before they begin.

8. 85% of American teachers were visual track learners and t...

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Lederhouse, J.N. (2003). The Power of One-on-One. Educational Leadership, 60, 69-71. Retrieved March 4, 2004 from EBSCO database.

Ross, J.L. & Schultz, R.A. (1999). Using the World Wide Web to Accommodate Diverse Learning Styles. College Teaching, 47, 123-129. Retrieved March 4, 2004 from EBSCO database.

Smith, J. (2002). Learning Styles: Fashion Fad or Lever for Change? The Application of Learning Style Theory to Inclusive Curriculum Delivery. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 39, 63-70. Retrieved March 4, 2004 from LexisNexis Academix database.

Utley, A. (2003, November 28). Influential Teaching Technique Rubbished. The Times Higher Education Supplement, p. 18. Retrieved March 4, 2004 from LexisNexis Academic database.

Wilson, B. (2002). A More In-Depth Look at the Learning Styles. Class ditto from Psyc 201 (Educational Psychology).

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