Learning styles

We discussed learning styles with the students a couple of weeks ago and here are some thoughts/outcomes from that discussion.

• There are numerous models and tests available to discover our learning styles. No two models seem the same.


• There is some criticism of the idea of modelling learning styles into concise categories.


• Many students already knew they had certain preferences for their style of learning but were surprised with some of the results.


• We used an online tool to assess individual styles -- I found this at www.learning-styles-online.com/


• The tool allowed us to generate a diagram for each students and then l'ayer these up' and compare them to find similiarities and differences. I set up a group account for this purpose and it worked very well even notifying me by email when students completed the activity.


• Students expected everyone in the class to have some similiar preferences. This was so but there were some exceptions.


• Some students were absent however as the tool is web-based they were still able to participate in the exercise from home or later in the week.