Posted on 02/08/2017
While in many ways we can generalize about the learning process, there’s also a component that’s unique to each individual. As this researcher and educator debunks the validity of the widely-circulated percentages about how much people remember, based on lack of citation and original data to support the claims, his evaluation also includes this rationale: It’s difficult to measure what part of learning and assessment reflects successful communication. More modern research has helped the educational world understand the various “learning styles.” However, the concept of each person having a single learning style is as much of an over-simplification as to say that everyone retains only 10% of what they read and 90% of what they experience.
Beyond the Basic Learning Styles
Each person is a unique individual, and that concept transcends the idea of placing each person into a box of only relating to one of three learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Most of us are far more complex than that. So how can learning styles help you, as a parent, help your child to succeed in school? Here’s a basic explanation that doesn’t oversimplify the issue: “Everyone has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances.” Figuring out your own and your child’s primary learning style is part of how this information can help you — but it’s just a start.
Overview of Seven Styles
Many experts suggest that a consideration of 7 basic learning styles makes more sense than only 3. Systems that include only three include Visual/Spatial, which utilizes images and spatial relationships; Aural/Auditory/Musical which incorporates sound or music; and Physical/Kinesthetic which incorporates the sense of touch as well as movement of hands or other body parts in order to facilitate learning.
In addition to Visual, Aural, and Physical, four learning styles can be considered; the first two could be considered subsets of Visual, and the second could coordinate with Aural.
First, Logical/Mathematical learners may naturally want to create systems or charts to show logical connections between ideas. Second, Verbal/Linguistic learners like using written and spoken language to understand and communicate ideas. Interestingly, the last two styles have more to do with the atmosphere of learning: Social/Interpersonal learners prefer learning in a communal environment with a socially interactive approach, whereas Solitary/Intrapersonal learners thrive better with self-study methods in solitary settings.
Understanding how learning styles affect your child and identifying his or her primary style is a great start to understanding how to best support his or her educational journey. After that, there are a few more important steps, like identifying gaps, tailoring material, and expanding methods. We’ll talk about those in Part 2.
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