Learning 2.0

When it comes to learning, I think we can all agree to a point that different people learn better in different environments and different ways.  There are many different beliefs about the varying styles of learning that are more beneficial to students.  One of the current beliefs is the Seven Major learning styles. 

1. Visual: These people prefer to use pictures, images, diagrams, colors, and mind maps.
2. Physical: These are the “learn by doing” people that use their body to assist in their learning. Drawing diagrams, using physical objects, or role playing are all strategies of the Physical learner.
3. Aural: People who prefer using sound (obviously), rhythms, music, recordings, clever rhymes, and so on.
4. Verbal: The verbal learner is someone who prefers using words, both in speech and in writing to assist in their learning. They make the most of word based techniques, scripting, and reading content aloud.
5. Logical: The people who prefer using logic, reasoning, and “systems” to explain or understand concepts. They aim to understand the reasons behind the learning, and have a good ability to understand the bigger picture.
6. Social: These people are the ones who enjoy learning in groups or with other people, and aim to work with others as much as possible.
7. Solitary: The solitary learner prefers to learn alone and through self-study.

These different learning styles are a step in the right direction, although I believe that it is much more complicated then this.  One could thrive in several different learning styles and there may even be more styles then these.  The good news is we are starting to realize that education is not "one size fits all."   I have three children and have tried just about every type of school available.  Public schools, academic charter, school of arts charter and I have even tried homeschooling.  Each one of my children does better in a different learning system and thrives with different learning styles.  I am grateful that there are now several different options for children.  I think we are heading in the right direction but I feel like there is a long way to go to discover how to cater to different children and build on there existing strengths. 

In the Huffington Post there is a article that criticizes the seven styles of learning called "Learning- Styles Theory Questioned By Researchers"  They claim that a large industry has developed that has profited by selling materials that teach in these different ways, however the research shows that test taking by using these learning tools doesn't yield any higher results.

 “Clearly, people have distinctive abilities and aptitudes. Some people have higher visual ability, and some have higher auditory ability,” said UCSD professor Hal Pashler, lead author on the report. “But the question is whether that predicts anything about the most effective way to teach them. … There is a complete lack of evidence of the sort.”

I agree with this article in that I don't think I would invest a lot of money into learning tools that claim to specifically cater to one learning style, and I do believe that a study would be very difficult  to chart differences in learning with and without these different styles because everyone's style and intelligence varies completely.  But I do know from personal experience that I learn best by doing something myself (as opposed to watching or listening)  and I remember visual images more then written information.  Regardless of which side you choose to believe I know that Both sides agree on one thing: Using a diverse range of teaching styles and institutions is beneficial for all students.