Section 1: Theories of Learning Style

What is "Learning Style"?

We must begin by defining exactly what we are talking about.  Learning style is actually many different things rolled into one.  It's the sum total of how you take in information best, what helps you remember and learn, and how you are best equipped to show your knowledge to the world.  Your learning style is contained in the answers to questions like these:

  • When is it best for you to study?
  • Where is it best for you to study?
  • What study strategies help you the most?
  • Do you prefer to read information, hear it, or experiment with it?
  • Are you more language oriented or visually oriented?
There are as many answers to these questions as there are people.  Moreover, your answers will vary from situation to situation.  Just like you don't always want the same foods for dinner, you also don't always need or want to study in the same way.  You adjust your study habits to reflect what's going on in your life at that exact moment.  You change your strategies to fit the task, your mood, the environment and your strengths.  At least, that's the way it's supposed to work! 
iDevice icon Reflection
Thinking back on times when your studying has been most successful, what can you find in common about each situation?  Make a list of the thoughts that cross your mind.  Consider the time of day, the environment, your motivation and well-being, the method you used, and so forth.  Try to find at least five things for your list.

Educators and psychologists have many theories about how we learn and study.  Sometimes they argue amongst themselves about which is best or most accurate.  In reality, all of the theories have something of value to offer.  We can take the best and most meaningful parts and put them to work in our own lives.  That's what we will do in this class. 

In this section, we will explore three major theories about learning style.  It's possible that you might fit neatly into one or another, but chances are very good that you'll see a bit of yourself in all of them.  The trick is to take the useful ideas and put them to work.  It's OK to use parts of this theory or that one to cobble together an understanding of how you can study most efficiently.

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(c) 2010 Sandy Fleming