Learning Styles

EDU 330: Educational PsychologyDaniel Moos

Opening Thought QuestionPlease respond to this comment from a not-so hypothetical

teacherWhy would I completely adapt to my students’ learning

styles? When they get out into the real world, they are not going to be in a situation where they are able to choose how to demonstrate what they know and what they have done. They are going to have to learn how to get things done in whatever context they are in. So, won’t I just be setting up my students for failure if I always adapt to their learning style?

Learning Styles

• A learning style is a consistent preference over time for dealing with intellectual tasks in a particular way

• Three types of styles Field-Dependence and Field-Independence

Reflectivity and Impulsivity Mental Self-Government Styles

Field-Dependence vs.Field-Independence

Field-Dependence•Unable to separate figures from background•Excel at remembering faces•Prefers:

– well-structured learning environment – positive feedback– social aspects of learning

Field-Independence•Able to break up an organized visual•Excel at remembering names•Understand visual cues and are better at math•Prefer

– learning environments that require minimal interaction.– Discovery learning & individualized self-paced learning.

Reflectivity vs. Impulsivity• Reflectivity

More time collecting information and analyzing (problem solving)

• Impulsivity Responds quickly with little collection or analysis

of information (problem solving) Instructional practice to support reflectivity?

Wait Time Writing questions on note-cards Journaling

Gender Differences?• Males tend to outscore females on the following

tests: Visual-spatial ability Mathematical reasoning College entrance

• Females tend to outscore males on the following tests: Memory Language use

• Possible reasons why gender differences in cognition and achievement exist: Differences in brain structure Peer pressure to exhibit gender-typed behaviors

What is Gender Bias?

• Gender bias is… Responding differently to male and female

students without having sound educational reasons for doing so.

• Likely sources of gender bias include: Gender-role stereotypes of teachers School curricula that reward gender stereotyped

behavior Gender-role stereotypes of classmates