Moving from Learning Styles to Research Based Learning Strategies How to Learn How to study Dr. Marsha Fralick

Introduction Meet the presenter and the person next to you

Overview Is there empirical evidence supporting the concept of learning styles? Learning styles: the good, the bad, and the ugly What comes next? Neuroscience and practical learning strategies Exercises Discussion

Handouts are available at: www. collegesuccess1 Handouts are available at: www.collegesuccess1.com Click on Training Notes

We all loved Pluto On July 14, 2006, the New Horizons spacecraft became the first space craft to fly by Pluto. In 2006, Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf plane causing debate in the general public. According to an unofficial vote, the public thinks that Pluto should still be a planet. Does believing make it true?

We have all loved learning styles. What is the evidence?

A quick definition of learning styles The concept that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them. Learning style can be assessed to help students understand how they learn best (audio, visual, kinesthetic, tactile) and apply these strategies to learning.

Is the concept of learning styles supported by scientific evidence?

“Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence” Study commissioned by Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Published by cognitive psychologists Pashler, et al, 2010. Set up criteria for evaluating the research on learning styles and conducted a review of the literature. Searched for studies using empirical methodology.

What is empirical methodology? Students are assessed for learning style (auditory, visual.) Students within each learning style group are randomly assigned to different groups using primarily visual or auditory presentations. Students are given the same test of achievement. Results need to show that the teaching method that matches learning styles result in improved test performance. The literature was surveyed to find studies with empirical methodology.

What were the findings? Pashler The evidence for the validity of the learning style concept was weak or contradictory. “The contrast between the enormous popularity of the learning style approach within education and the lack of credible evidence for its utility is, in our opinion striking and disturbing.” Pashler

Findings “The widespread use of learning style measures in educations settings is unwise and a wasteful use of limited resources.” Pashler Additional research completed since 2010 have confirmed these finding. See handout for bibliography.

Learning Styles The Good The Bad The Ugly

Learning Styles: The Good Learning style theory has made us aware that students learn in different ways. We are shifting from a focus on lecture to using multiple modes of presentation: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.

Learning Styles: The Bad Newer findings from neuroscience show that we need to use all the senses in learning, not just the preferred ones. The learning style label may not be valid. Labels can limit students potential.

Learning Styles: The Ugly Is education based on evidence and research or popular belief?

Think, Pair, Share What is your experience with the good, the bad, and the ugly?

What’s Next?

Multi-sensory Integration All the senses work together as a team to store information in long-term memory. What senses can you use to remember?

“Vision is probably the best tool we have for learning anything.” From Brain Rules by John Medina Developmental Molecular Biologist Director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research, Seattle Pacific University Supporting research for Brain Rules must first be published in a peer-reviewed journal and then successfully replicated many times.

Exercise: The Power of Visualization

Visualization Exercise I will show you 10 photos. See how many you can remember.

Visualization Exercise I will show you 20 photos. Each photo has a number. Write down the number of the photo you saw in the previous exercise.

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Visualization Exercise Correct Answers:

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Visual Learning is Powerful and Accurate Help your students practice visual learning.

Think, Pair, Share How can you help your students use visualization in learning? Do you have some practical examples?

Multi-sensory Integration What other senses help us to learn?

Auditory: learning through listening and talking Use auditory strategies to reinforce visual learning.

Tactile Examples Writing is one of the best tactile learning strategies. Take notes, write a journal, or make an outline. Use real objects to help you learn. For example, in learning fractions, cut an apple in half.

Kinesthetic: learning through movement You don’t forget how to ride a bike, right?

Olfactory: learning by smell Smell is strongly associated with memory and learning because it is connected to emotions. Can you remember the smell of fresh baked cookies? Are the commercials correct? Does your body spray attract the opposite sex?

Think, Pair, Share Challenge: How can you use the olfactory sense to improve learning?

Gustatory: learning through taste The sense of taste stimulates the reward center of the brain which regulates motivation and learning.

Think, Pair, Share Challenge: How can you use the gustatory sense to improve learning?

Use all of your senses to remember. For Example Learning a Foreign Language

Other Practical Learning Strategies Based on Neuroscience Meaningful organization Chunking Recitation Elaboration Positive Thinking Develop an Interest See the Big Picture Intend to Remember Distribute the Practice Create a Basic Background Relax While Studying The Importance of Sleep

Exercise: Memory Test

How did you remember? Visualization Recitation Meaningful organization Chunking

Meaningful Organization Organize material into categories that are meaningful to you. Learn from general to specific. Make it meaningful

Chunking: The Magical Number 7 Theory Organize in groups of 7 or less.

Exercise

Think Positively about Learning Stressful and unpleasant? or An interesting adventure?

Develop an Interest Music Sports Hobbies Cars We tend to remember what interests us. Music Sports Hobbies Cars Motivation and attitude have a big impact on memory.

See the big picture first. Understand the main points first and the details second. Imagine trying to see a painting one inch at a time!

Intend to Remember Tell yourself that you are going to remember. If you think you won’t remember, you won’t remember. Example: Intend to remember where you put your keys!

Distribute the Practice Learn small amounts at a time. Review frequently.

Create a Basic Background We remember by making connections to what we already know. At first college is difficult because you are establishing the basic background.

Relax while studying. The brain works better when it is relaxed. Use distributed practice to prepare and reduce stress. Relax while studying.

Stress and Emotions Moderate stress can be turned into motivation. Severe stress interferes with learning.

Exercise: Memory Scenarios

The Sleep Quiz

Sleep and Memory Video: Sleep to Remember. Remember to sleep. During sleep, we organize and consolidate learning from the previous day. Important for transferring information from short-term to long-term memory. Video: Sleep to Remember. Remember to sleep.

Think, Pair, Share What are some practical strategies to move from learning styles to research based strategies?

Discussion