Learning style can be simply defined as how people perceive and organize information.  I think this applies in the classroom as well as in the activities of everyday life.  I am an insurance agent and spend the majority of my day trying to explain insurance concepts to customers from all demographics.  Even in this profession, I have to consider what the customer’s best learning style seems to be.  Obviously, I cannot have them to take a learning style inventory so I have to use their behavior during our interactions to try and ascertain the best way to convey information to them.  Since I have been with the same company for 20 years, I obviously have had many of the same clients for a number of years.  In the course of many different service and sales opportunities with them, I have been aware of how they respond to me depending on what “method” I am using to convey information.

Kim Uhlik has summarized the different learning style researchers and contends that most individuals can learn and that everyone has strength, even though they are different strengths. Because of these differences, individuals have instructional preferences and teachers can use a variety of learning styles as the foundation of their instruction.  A person’s recognition of their learning style does not mean they are excused from learning situations that use a style that is not their preference.  They should use these situations as an opportunity to strengthen their other learning styles. (Uhlik, 2005)

Eric Jensen asked the question “Are learning styles a big hoax? (2005).   He maintains that there are many learning style statements that exist in the education community that are not true.  In 2009 the Association for Psychological Science concluded that in order for someone to learn that they must receive instruction tailored to their learning style.  Jensen maintains that this statement would require a particular kind of study and it appears that the research was never done. (Jensen, 2005)  Furthermore, Jensen states that many educators tell you that learning styles are a proven fact when they are not.  He contends that they are an unproven theory but that they are easy to see and support in the classroom. (Jensen, 2005)

Harewood thinks that learning style inventories are useful but that educators must remember that they do not give information about a student’s only learning style; it just gives the most predominant one.  He thinks that a learner knowing their preference will push them to be a more active participant in learning processes.  For an instructor, it can be useful knowing what learning styles are prevalent in their classroom.  This allows them to use an instructional strategy that will affect the majority of students and will lead to greater knowledge. (Harewood, 2012)

There is an argument that learning styles can be detrimental.  This argument contends that learning style can be used as simplistic labels and over emphasis on a particular style may actually reduce learning opportunities.  If too much time is spend developing the areas of weakness, an opportunity to develop well rounded learners may be missed.  ("Learning Styles - the debate," 2015)

There are many criticisms that exist but in all the articles that I reviewed, there were a few facts that most of them agreed on.  Most agree that the understanding of learning styles are valuable for learners and instructors alike. It will give learners a self-awareness and help them to maximize their preferred style while developing their less preferred styles.  It will give encourage instructors to use a broader range of teaching strategies so that learners will have a more enriched and engaging learning experience.

References

Harewood, E. (2012, April 5). Are learning style inventories useful in teaching? Retrieved from http://evolllution.com/opinions/are-learning-style-inventories-useful-in-teaching/

Jensen, E. (2015, September 3). Are learning styles a big hoax? what does the latest science say about different learners? Retrieved from http://www.jensenlearning.com/news/are-learning-styles-a-big-hoax-what-does-the-latest-science-say-about-different-learners/brain-based-learning

Learning Styles - the debate. (2015, September 3). Retrieved from http://www.brainboxx.co.uk/a2_learnstyles/pages/LStyles_debate.htm

Uhlik, K. (2015, September 3). Learning styles. Retrieved from https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/Learning-Styles.aspx

I think Learning Styles are here to say (no matter what all these researchers say).  Personally, the knowledge that I am a more visual learner is invaluable.  When someone reads something to me without visual aids, they are wasting their time.  It's just like Charlie Brown's school teacher.  I think the way they depict her voice in that cartoon shows that Charlie Brown is also a visual learner.

I agree that information gained from Learning Style analysis is primarily for the student.  The thought that instructors could gear their teaching to each individual's learning style preposterous.  I think it’s important to remember that the style they prefer is not their only style of learning, it’s just the most preferred.  As instructors, using a variety of methods should give every student the opportunity to use their preferred style and their more challenging styles as well.

I feel like multiple intelligences can be used interchangeably with learning styles.  They allow students have an easier understanding of some things while others are more challenging.  Either of these scenarios are great for students.  The learning experiences that come easier to students gives them the opportunity to excel.  The learning experience that is more challenging, gives students the opportunity to work harder towards a study goal and develop their other intelligences.

One of the articles I reviewed on learning styles had an interesting research idea.  I think it would also work when considering multiple intelligences. The idea was to randomly assign a group of students to a variety of learning methods.  Some would be matched while others would be mismatched.  After learning, all students would be given the same test. If the learning style and multiple intelligences hypothesis is correct, visual learners would learn better from the visual method and auditory learners should learn better with the auditory method.

Thanks Lezlie.  Dealing with the public makes every day different.  I think my current career will have prepared me better for online teaching than for teaching in a classroom.  Since online classes can be more of an "individualized" experience for students. 

A syllabus being offered in multiple ways is great.  I still prefer to print my syllabus rather than using the electronic version.  I like something I can hold in my hand and quickly reference.  I always keep a copy of the syllabus and assignment calendar on the top of the pile on my desk.  

I think you also could use this experiement on a small scale, possibly in a class you are teaching. It would give the students an opportunity to learn something about themselves and you to be able to group them by learning style.

As I mentioned in another post, Learning Style anaylsis could help you to put students into groups.  This would be an solution that would give teachers the opportunity to teach to a group that had like learning styles.  Instead of trying to individualize for each student, the instructor could individualize to a couple of groups.  This would possible while individualizing to each student would not.

The information is your second article is very thought provoking.  I had never considered that different nationalities had different learning styles.  I have always thought of learning style on the individual level.

It's interesting how these test seem so similar are actually very different. Based on the fact the DISC is so stable, I can see why it would be used more in industry. The fact that repeat attempts at the the MBTI give different results would make me always question any results.  Great information!