Learning styles in online learning

In what ways, if at all, do you think the concept of Learning Styles can be useful to the online instructor?

I personally feel that no one approach or single presentation style maximizes learning for all students. As an instructor, one may  never know the learning styles of all the students. Thus, it is best to bring a variety in the content and expose students to multiple ways to interact with it. Try and include reading, lectures, journaling, listening to recorded podcasts or watching short screencasts.

 An online instructor should consciously choose diversified teaching material and assignments (visual, auditory, kinesthetic-depending on the class) and integrate different LS modes in classroom interaction and presentations.

I think assorted study material would enable  online learners to study smartly,  utilizing the time more productively. Sometimes minimal adjustments in teaching learning process can impart enormous improvements in students' learning and involvement. The goal of an instructor should be to equip students with the skills associated with every LS, regardless of the students' personal preferences because they will need all of those skills to function effectively.

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Discussion-

Hi Savneet,

Very nicely stated!

But, you missed the best part. While the instructor is creating content that will integrate LS modes in the classroom, the instructor is also working on improving their own learning styles. For example, I registered an 11 in visual and almost nothing on verbal. I think that while I'm working on creating something interesting for my verbal students, it will be a fantastic opportunity for me to improve my listening skills.

Catherine

Yes, we can learn to teach only to our own learning style preferences, but to all of them, just "mixing it up".