The Truth About Learning Styles
If you’ve spent any time working in the L&D field the odds are that you’ve encountered the idea of “learning styles.” And if you’ve yet to take any time to dig into it beyond the surface, it may seem like a reasonable way to approach your learning design work. If you’re one of those people, you’re not alone – 80% to 95% of people believe in learning styles.
The thinking goes something like this:
Visual Learners prefer to learn through visual demonstrations.
Auditory Learners prefer to learn through the spoken word.
Reading / Writing Learners prefer to learn through text.
Kinesthetic Learners prefer to learn through hands-on experiences.
Sounds reasonable, right? But alas, this is one occasion when your intuition may lead you astray.
The actual truth is that these are really learning preferences and there is zero evidence that tailoring your learning programs with these learning styles in mind has any value.
Don’t just take my word for it. Here is what a few leading experts have to say about learning styles as well:
Learning Styles are NOT an Effective Guide for Learning Design by Will Thalheimer
Learning styles: Worth our time? by Cathy Moore
Stop Wasting Resources on Learning Styles by Ruth Clark
What to do instead?
Instead of learning styles, your learners are more likely to benefit from learning through a variety of instructional methods. This blended learning approach has been shown to be more effective than delivering everything via any single modality.
The best thing you can do is to start by identifying your needs are and what you’re trying to accomplish, and only then can you determine the right mix of live, synchronous training, e-learning, performance support, or any other “non-learning” options.
If your curious about what other learning myths are floating around out there, head over to the Debunker’s Club to learn more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MIKE TAYLOR
With over two decades of real-life, in-the-trenches experience designing and delivering learning experiences, Mike Taylor understands that effective learning isn’t about the latest fad or trendy new tools. Known for his practical, street-savvy style, Mike is a regular and highly-rated speaker at industry events and consults on organizational learning design and technology at Change 4 Growth in Columbus, Ohio. Mike holds an MBA degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in educational technology from San Diego State University.