In education, we have discussed the notion of Learning Styles to ensure we are meeting the needs of every learner. This TedTalks video by Teisa Marshik is compelling in refuting the importance, or even existence, of Learning Styles.
While I agree with the presenter in many ways, I don't think we can simply discard it. Historically, teaching was auditory...the teacher stood at the front of the class and talked or lectured to the larger group. This doesn't work for everyone. Teachers need to consider the modalities or preferences of learning and ensure that they tap into the various domains regardless of the content. One way to view the brain is as a filing cabinet and by ensuring each style (I am using style and preference interchangeably) is addressed, we can store data in more "files" to be accessed easier at a later date. It makes connection to prior knowledge easier, which is the critical point the presenter makes when discussing the importance of meaning. Like I said, I agree with the video but I feel the most important point made is not that Learning Styles do not exist, but that for learning to occur it must be meaningful to the student. That is why inquiry-based education is so important.
While I agree with the presenter in many ways, I don't think we can simply discard it. Historically, teaching was auditory...the teacher stood at the front of the class and talked or lectured to the larger group. This doesn't work for everyone. Teachers need to consider the modalities or preferences of learning and ensure that they tap into the various domains regardless of the content. One way to view the brain is as a filing cabinet and by ensuring each style (I am using style and preference interchangeably) is addressed, we can store data in more "files" to be accessed easier at a later date. It makes connection to prior knowledge easier, which is the critical point the presenter makes when discussing the importance of meaning. Like I said, I agree with the video but I feel the most important point made is not that Learning Styles do not exist, but that for learning to occur it must be meaningful to the student. That is why inquiry-based education is so important.
