EDU 330: Educational Psychology Daniel Moos, PhD Learning Styles EDU 330: Educational Psychology Daniel Moos, PhD

Opening Thought Question, part I Please respond to this comment from a not-so hypothetical teacher Why would I completely adapt to my students’ learning styles? When they get out into the real world, they are not going to be in a situation where they are able to choose how to demonstrate what they know and what they have done. They are going to have to learn how to get things done in whatever context they are in. So, won’t I just be setting up my students for failure if I always adapt to their learning style?

Opening Thought Question, part II The next claim is that learners have preferences about how to learn that are independent of both ability and content and have meaningful implications for their learning. These preferences are not “better” or “faster,” according to learning-styles proponents, but merely “styles.” In other words, just as our social selves have personalities, so do our memories. (1) How might a self-fulfilling prophecy explain “styles” (or preferences)? (2) To what extent should teachers take “preferences” into account?