Learning Styles

Learning Objectives 1.List the four learning styles in the VARK. 2.Describe the value of teaching to different learning styles. 3.Develop class presentations that reach multiple learning styles.

Agenda 1.Make a case for teaching to multiple learning styles. 2.Complete and score a learning style inventory. 3.Develop Learning Style sensitive teaching modules.

What do we know about learning styles? 1.There are many “Learning Style” inventory tools. 2.Teachers teach to a limited number of learning styles. 3.Learning style preference is somewhat normally distributed (across all learners).

4. Teachers teach to their own learning style. 5. Learning style preferences differ across disciplines. 6. There are age differences.

Why should we care about teaching to different learning styles? Students exposed to non-learning-styles responsive instruction have a 30% expected success rate. Students exposed to learning-styles responsive instruction have a success rate of 70%. 40% Difference

How big is a 40% difference? 1.Aspirin reduction of heart attacks. 24% 2. Smoking and contracting lung cancer. 7%

3. Salary difference between non- college and college graduates. 30% 4. Seatbelts and fatal injury 45%

5. Clicker use and student test scores 6% 6. Exam pass rate of students who read the text versus those who do not. 16%

Directive Follow the Wiki link and complete the VARK Learning Style Inventory

Learning Style Sensitive Teaching Presentation What should you do? 1.Divide into four groups 2.Create a lesson on teaching students how to write a research paper

Group Presentations What will you need to report to the group? 1.Describe your learning style 2.Present your teaching topic idea

Tips for use 1. Require students to complete online 2. Have students return single sheet output 3. Divide students into learning groups to create learning modules for class 4. Apprise students of learning strategies provided on VARK site.