MTT

The following link takes you to a youtube video posted by Professor Daniel Willingham discussing his study on learning styles and his belief that they do not exist.  I am not sure if this video gives me enough to base a decision as to whether or not learning styles exist.  However, don’t take my word for it and check out the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIv9rz2NTUk

I worked a lot with learning styles in my Agricultural Education course about curriculum.  I had to design a unit plan that used layered curriculum while incorporating different assessments for a variety of learning styles.  For example, the unit was Swine Science and the objective to be met was to define basic swine terminology and the possible assessments the students could chose from to show me they met the objective included: playing swine terminology bingo, creating flash cards, taking a quiz, and creating a comic strip or story using the terminology.  The variety in the assessments allow the students’ strengths and interests to be included into the class, thus the students should be more engaged.  I personally love projects where I can use creativity and take my understanding to a higher level.  Also, it helps me remember the content so much more than an exam or quiz.  So whether or not you believe in learning styles, varied teaching styles with varied assessment can help students stay engaged and help the students develop a passion for learning.