Learning Styles: Academic Fact or Urban Myth? A Recent Review of the Literature

Authors

  • Theresa René LeBlanc Texas State University

Keywords:

education, learning styles, learning assistance, learning strategies

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36896/1.1fa4

While advocates of learning styles have suggested postsecondary educators and learning support programs match instruction to students’ learning styles to enhance learning, past decades of research criticize educator’s co-option of and disprove researchers’ efforts to prove learning styles’ existence and worth as a valid construct. The author examines numerous research articles that have challenged the efficacy of learning styles based on empirically provable evidence. The author also cites how the learning styles paradigm continues to be used in the field of postsecondary learning assistance. The author concludes that instead of promoting learning styles, educators should instruct learners on the intentional use of learning strategies.

Author Biography

  • Theresa René LeBlanc, Texas State University

     

     

References

Allcock, S. J., & Hulme, J. A. (2010). Learning styles in the classroom: Education benefit or planning exercise? Psychology Teaching Review, 16(2), 67-79. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpsptr.2010.16.2.67

Allinson, J., & Hayes, C. (1996). The cognitive style index: A measure of intuition-analysis for organizational research. Journal of Management Studies, 33, 119-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.1996.tb00801.x

Bishka, A. (2010). Learning styles fray: Brilliant or batty? Canadian Learning Journal, 14(2), 37-39.

Cassidy, S. (2004). Learning styles: An overview of theories, models, and measures, Educational Psychology, 24(4), 419-444. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144341042000228834

Carlsen-Landy, B., Falley, B., Wheeler, A., & Edwards, D. (2014). Adaptations of supplemental instruction: Our course assistants wear many hats. Supplemental Instruction Journal, 1(1), 7-21.

Coffield, F., Moseley, D., Hall, E., & Eccleston, K. (2004). Learning styles and pedagogy in post-16 learning: A systematic and critical review. Learning and Skills R esearch Centre. Retrieved from https://www.mbtionline.com/?utm_source=MBF&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=online

Cuevas, J. (2015). Is learning styles-based instruction effective? A comprehensive analysis of recent research on learning styles. Theory and Research in Education, 13(3), 308-333. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477878515606621

Dembo, M. H., & Howard, K. (2007). Advice about the use of learning styles: A major myth in education. Journal of College Reading and Learning, 37(2), 101-109. https://doi.org/10.1080/10790195.2007.10850200

Dunn, R. (1990). Bias over substance: A critical analysis of Kavale and Forness' report on modality-based instruction. Exceptional Children, 56(4), 352-356. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440299005600409

Dunn, R., Dunn, K., & Price, G. E. (1989). Learning Styles Inventory. Lawrence, KS: Price Systems.

Dunn, R., & Dunn, K. (1994). Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model. Retrieved from http://www.ilsa-learning-styles.com/Learning+Styles/The+Dunn+and+Dunn+Learning+Styles+-Model.html

Entwistle, N. J., & Tait, H. (1995). The Revised Approaches to Studying Inventory. [Measurement instrument]. Centre for Research on Learning and Instruction, Edinburgh, Scotland: University of Edinburgh.

Felder, R. M., & Solomon, L. K. (n.d.) Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire [Measurement instrument]. Retrieved from http://educationdesignsinc.com/index-of-learning-styles/

Fleming, N. D. (2018). The VARK Questionnaire: Visual, Aural, Read/write, Kinesthetic, [Measurement instrument]. Retrieved from http://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/

Forrest, D. (n.d.). How do I address learning styles in my course? Retrieved from https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/Resources/Teaching_resources/TLPDC_teaching_resources/Documents/HowDoIAddressLearningStylesinMy-Coursewhitepaper.pdf

Fridley, W. L., & Fridley, C. A. (2010). Some problems and peculiarities with the learning styles rhetoric and practice. Journal of Philosophy & History of Education, 60, 21-27.

Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Gardner, H. (1996). Multiple intelligences: Myths and messages. International Schools Journal, 15(2), 8-22.

Gardner, H. (2013). Frequently asked questions: Multiple Intelligences and related educational topics. http://multipleintelligencesoasis.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/faq.pdf

Garner, I. (2000). Problems and inconsistencies with Kolb's learning styles. Educational Psychology, 20, 341-348. https://doi.org/10.1080/713663745

Gregorc, A. F. (2017). Gregorc Style Delineator [Measurement instrument]. Retrieved from http://gregorc.com/instrume.html

Griffiths, C., & İnceçay (2016). Styles and style-stretching: How are they related to successful learning? Journal of Psycholinguist Research, 45, 599-613. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10936-015-9366-2

Honey, P., & Mumford, A. (1992). The manual of learning styles: Revised version. London, UK: PeterHoney.

Jonassen, D. H., & Grabowski, B. L. (1993). Handbook of individual differences, learning, and instruction. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Keefe, J. W. (1988). Profiling and utilizing learning style. NASSP learning style series. Reston, VA: National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Kolb, D. A. (1985). Learning Styles Inventory and Technical Manual. [Measurement instrument]. Boston, MA: McBer.

Kolb, D. A. (2013). The Kolb Learning Style Inventory, Versions 3.1 and 3.2 [Measurement instrument]. Retrieved from https://learningfromexperience.com/research-library/klsi-3_1-3_2-technical-specifications/

Kozhevnikov, M. (2007). Cognitive styles in the context of modern psychology: Toward an integrated framework of cognitive style. Psychological Bulletin, 133(3), 464-481. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.133.3.464

Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (2018). [Measurement instrument]. Retrieved from https://www.mbtionline.com/?utm_source=MBF&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=online

Myers, I. B. (1962). The Myers-Briggs type indicator manual. Princeton, NJ: The Educational Testing Service. https://doi.org/10.1037/14404-000

Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2009). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x

Reiner, C., & Willingham, D. (2010). The myth of learning styles, Change: The magazine of higher learning, 45(5), 32-35. https://doi.org/10.1080/00091383.2010.503139

Riding, R. J. (1991). Cognitive styles analysis. Birmingham: Learning and Training Technology.

Schotka, R., Bennet-Bealer, N., Sheets, R., Stedje-Larsen, L., & Van Loon, P. (2014). Standards, outcomes, and possible assessments for ITTPC certification. Retrieved from https://www.crla.net/images/ITTPC/ITTPC_Standards_Outcomes_Assessments_Level_1.pdf

Schunk, D. H. (2016). Learning theories: An educational perspective (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Stahl, S. A. (1999). Different strokes for different folks: A critique of learning styles. American Educator, 23(3), 27-31.

Sternberg, M. S., Grigorenko, E. L., Ferrarri, M., & Clinkenbeard, P. (1999). A triarchic analysis of an aptitude-treatment interaction. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 15, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1027//1015-5759.15.1.3

Strauss, V. (2013, October 16). Howard Gardner: Multiple intelligences are not 'learning styles The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/16/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-are-not-learning-styles/?utm_term=.a4d2c14ddc35

Swartzendruber, E. (2014). Creating and growing a [sic] SI program [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from https://info.umkc.edu/si/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Swartzendruber_Program.pdf

Vermunt, J. D. H. M. (1994). Inventory of Learning Styles in Higher Education: Scoring key for the Inventory of Learning Styles in Higher Education. Tilburg, Netherlands: Tilburg University, Department of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/t14424-000

Willingham, D. T., Hughes, E. M., & Dobolyi, D. G. (2015). The scientific status of learning styles theories. Teaching of Psychology, 42(3), 266-271.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628315589505

Yale Center of Teaching and Learning. (2017). Teaching students with different learning styles and levels of preparation: Teaching students with different levels of preparation. Retrieved from http://ctl.yale.edu/teaching/ideas-teaching/teaching-students-different levels-preparation

Downloads

Published

2018-02-01

How to Cite

Learning Styles: Academic Fact or Urban Myth? A Recent Review of the Literature. (2018). Journal of College Academic Support Programs, 1(1), 7. https://jcasp-ojs-txstate.tdl.org/jcasp/article/view/104

Similar Articles

1-10 of 82

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.