Essay about Definitions of Learning Styles - 1858 Words

Definitions of Learning Styles Although learning style may be simply defined as the way people come to understand and remember information, the literature is filled with more complex variations on this theme. James and Gardner (1995), for example, define learning style as the complex manner in which, and conditions under which, learners most efficiently and most effectively perceive, process, store, and recall what they are attempting to learn (p. 20). Merriam and Caffarella (1991) present Smiths definition of learning style, which is popular in adult education, as the individuals characteristic way of processing information, feeling, and behaving in learning situations (p. 176). Swanson (1995) quotes Reichmanns reference to†¦show more content†¦Asselin and Mooney (1996) use brain hemisphericity to differentiate between right brain (global) and left brain (analytic) learners. An overview of these diverse learning style dimensions and their relationship to learning style instruments is offered as a framewo rk for conceptual understanding. For the purpose of this discussion, the three dimensions of learning offered by James and Gardner (1995) are used to differentiate among learning styles: perceptual, cognitive, and affective. Perceptual The perceptual dimension of learning is influenced by physical and sensory elements that reflect the bodys response to external stimuli. It includes a range of perceptual elements: visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic. Learning styles research shows that most people prefer learning by experiencing and doing (kinesthetic elements), especially when reinforced through touching and movement (tactile elements). Asselin and Mooney (1996) note that people remember 90 percent of what they say and do as opposed to 30 percent of what they see and hear. Although kinesthetic learners retain best, they make up only 5 percent of the population whereas visual learners make up 65 percent and auditory learners, 30 percent (Mind Tools 1998). The Multi-Modal Paired Associates Learning Test (MMPALT) is one instrument used to assess perceptual learning preferences (James and GardnerShow MoreRelatedCritical Review of Learning Style Essay606 Words   |  3 Pages| Module AC0696 Portfolio 1: Learning for Practice Development | Assessment 2 | | Kelly Smith | | Each of us has our own learning style. Learning is an individual process unique to each and every one and as individuals we tend to prefer different learning methods. Some people learn by listening some by reading, some by looking at diagrams and others by reading and writing. The end result of the learning process may be completely different to that of their peers. The following essayRead MoreMy First Year Of Teaching879 Words   |  4 Pagesteaching. 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(Fleming, 2011) If the learner has a preference for Aural style of learningRead More Learning Styles and the Brain1645 Words   |  7 PagesHow Did You Know That?!Learning Styles and the Brain Although most commonly framed in academic contexts, learning style lies at the foundation of individual identity and development. Learning, the process of acquiring knowledge about the world (1) and learning style, ...the sum of the patterns of how individuals develop habitual ways of responding to experience (2) reflect an array of attitudes, emotional responses, preferences and habits. It is the basis of how we interact with, processRead MoreResults of the VARK Questionnaire812 Words   |  3 PagesI best learn by reading instructions and I feel most comfortable helping others by writing them. Reading and writing (R W) is my preferred mode of information acquisition because this is the way I best understand and interpret data. 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