Multiple Learning Styles Essay

Learning Styles – The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Learning is a process that individuals face every day, whether it is in classroom, at work, or surfing the Internet, but each person has a particular style in which they prefer to accomplish this learning. An individual’s learning style is the manner in which that person finds learning to be the easiest for them, and while many individuals have a primary style, everyone uses all the learning styles in various combinations throughout their day and life.

Learning Styles – Fact or Fiction

Researchers agree on the fact that while there is no credible evidence that learning styles exist, neither is there evidence to the contrary (Reiner & Willingham, 2010). Different people have different preferences for learning, a fact that all researchers agree on. These preferences can be affected by an individual’s interests, abilities, and background knowledge (Reiner & Willingham, 2010). Studies show that while students have a preferred style of learning, if material is presented in another method, the learning is equivalent.

One important aspect of building this bridge is to understand the various learning styles evident in the classroom. Teachers tend to have their own preferences, or strengths, concerning their styles (Thompson, 1997). According to Thompson (1997), teachers noted for their excellence tended to teach in ways consistent with their own styles but found ways to reach students whose preferences differed. These ways included finding material and activities that spurred the student’s interest, and once the student was engaged, allowed the teacher to facilitate the course material. One method is for teacher’s to create learning centers with resources and materials that promote involving the different intelligences (Giles, Pitre, & Womack, 2003). Giles, Pitre, and Womack (2003)