The idea behind learning styles is that different people have different preferred ways or modes of learning:
- Visual (V) – This preference includes the depiction of information in maps, spider diagrams, charts, graphs, flow charts, labelled diagrams, and all the symbolic arrows, circles, hierarchies and other devices, that people use to represent what could have been presented in words.
- Auditory (A) – This perceptual mode describes a preference for information that is “heard or spoken.” Learners who have this as their main preference report that they learn best from lectures, group discussion, radio, email, using mobile phones, speaking, web-chat and talking things through.
- Reading/Writing (R) – This preference is for information displayed as words. Not surprisingly, many teachers and students have a strong preference for this mode. Being able to write well and read widely are attributes sought by employers of graduates. This preference emphasizes text-based input and output – reading and writing in all its forms but especially manuals, reports, essays and assignments.
- Kinesthetic (K) – By definition, this modality refers to the “perceptual preference related to the use of experience and practice (simulated or real).” Although such an experience may invoke other modalities, the key is that people who prefer this mode are connected to reality, “either through concrete personal experiences, examples, practice or simulation” [See Fleming & Mills, 1992, pp. 140-141]. It includes demonstrations, simulations, videos and movies of “real” things, as well as case studies, practice and applications. The key is the reality or concrete nature of the example. If it can be grasped, held, tasted, or felt it will probably be included.
Reference: The VARK Modalities
Your Web Quest is to search the web for evidence that learning styles are supported by research into how people learn – i.e. that learning styles should be a consideration in designing learning resources.
Please structure the results of your research as follows:
- Is the idea of learning styles supported by research? Yes or No?
- Provide a brief summary of what you learned about learning styles (250 words of less; may be point form)
- List at least one online reference with title and url
also please write a short “made up” story of “your best learning experience”
and a short review on “learning theories”
separately
