From the myths in the unit five folder,
the article that stood out to me was “Education: Learning Styles
Debunked.” I believe that this article
made me think differently because I have always categorized myself as a
“hands-on, visual learner.” I know that
growing up I have always seemed to learn better, and retain information when I
have the ability to have it presented to me in a concrete manner. While some of my classmates are able to
retain information that is often times rattled off at them. This idea of different learning styles has
been engrained in my mind throughout my eighteen years of schooling. Many of my teachers/professors present
information both verbally and visually in hopes to reach out to both learning
styles so that every individual is met with what they need. It is difficult for me to accept the fact
that the different learning styles are a myth according to research, because it
seems to work for me. Although I know it
is a myth I believe that once something is embedded into our heads for so long,
that it becomes mental. Thus I believe
that we trick our minds and ourselves into believing it is true. Therefore when
we see the research that “debunks” the myth we often try to dismiss it because
we, especially as educators, want to believe that it is true because we think
that we can help our students by teaching to their specific learning style. I
think that it is difficult to fully dismiss any of the articles as they are supported
with scientific research. Although as I stated
before I believe that teachers try to turn their head away from the research
because the myths completely go against what education has taught us.
In the future I think that it is
important to back up your word with supported scientific research. Therefore when I run into colleagues, or
administrators that don’t understand or believe in the myth I can show them
scientific research that might help change their mind and thinking.
I understand where you are coming from, since we have all been taught these ideas as fact for so long. I agree that it does seem to be true sometimes that students tend to slip into learning styles. To go along with debunking though, we see that because we look for that. There are probably many times that students learn information that isn't presented in their "style". Learning is such a fluid thing and we need to remember that students change, the information change, and different techniques can work outside of the classified box students are sometimes put into.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about learning being fluid. I think that sometimes we use labels and these labels of learning styles and methods becoming self full-fulling prophecies of the students. I have witnessed first hand students that don't believe they can learn something because they have been told and labeled to be a particular kind of learner, and the information wasn't presented in their learning style. I think that schools and the education system tries to put labels on students as a way to make it easier for them to put the students on a "track." I think that schools are in need of doing away with labels because they can become detrimental to students thinking and learning.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of what has been said. It is very easy to hear something and believe it without first doing our own research on the topic before forming our own conclusions. Educational psychology is currently a popular topic for many and therefore, there are new ideas about education that are presented on a daily basis. As educators, we have to put in the work to research these new ideas on our own before forming any final thoughts or conclusions.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is often the time lag - by the time we see through something, it has gained a foothold in education and is tough to eradicate. I mentioned this elsewhere: the learning styles article is from 2009. If a drug was deemed ineffective, would it still be on the market six years later?
ReplyDeleteThe other problem is that education has a knack for jumping from one bad idea to the next. We're always on to the next great trick to get everyone into Harvard.