Students' Learning Styles:
We're Not All Cut from the Same Mold
 

Duration

3-4 hours (half-day)

Synopsis

During this workshop, participants explore the influence of students' styles and methods of learning upon academic achievement, student-teacher interactions, and attitudes toward certain types of instructional strategies such as classroom lectures, small group learning, computer-based learning, independent study, research, and hands-on learning. Participants complete a well-known learning styles inventory and score it during the workshop to analyze their own learning style preferences. The personality traits, dispositions, and characteristic likes and dislikes of individuals with four unique types of learning styles are reviewed. Research on the interaction between learning style and academic achievement is described. Participants conclude the workshop by working in groups of individuals with similar learning styles to plan a course for students who have a different style of learning (e.g., faculty with a concrete, hands-on approach to learning design a course for a group of abstract learners who prefer theoretical discussion of course material).

   
 

Objectives

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • - Explain what the term "learning styles" means, and compare and
      contrast this concept to the concept of study methods.
  • - Describe factors that contribute to an individual's learning style.
  • - Complete a learning style preferences inventory and analyze their
      own learning style.
  • - Compare and contrast four learning styles commonly found among
      students in health professions education including strengths and
      limitations.
  • - Plan a unit of instruction based on the learning style preferences of a
      designated group of students.

If you would like additional information or would like to schedule this workshop at your institution, please contact the Academy for Academic Leadership.
 

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