Chapter 1 & 2 Lecture

Question 1

Learning Styles

Answer 1

Concept that individuals differ in how they earn most affectively. Some different modes of instruction/study are visual, auditory, tactile and experiential

Question 2

Meshing hypothesis

Answer 2

Instruction is most effective when it matches the preferences of the learner (visual learner using a visual mode will lead to most success)

Question 3

Why is this theory so popular?

Answer 3

• People like “type” theories (the idea that people differ from most but are similar to some)
• Being seen as an individual (at least in North America, people like to have adaptations for them)
• All people can learn effectively (with the right tools, anyone can succeed)
• Responsibility (if someone learns poorly, it shifts the blame onto the mode of instruction)

Question 4

Why not to base beliefs solely on experience

Answer 4

-No comparison groups and confounds

Question 5

Research vs Experience

Answer 5

Personal experience often does not offer a systematic comparison experience, as we use 1 subject (us) whereas systematic data collection does and they can compare a treatment present group vs absent (Benjamin Rush example)

Question 6

Confounds

Answer 6

A confound occurs when there are multiple possible causes for an outcome. It leads to a confusion about what caused the difference between groups (it is NOT anything/everything wrong in a study)

Question 7

How to reduce confounds

Answer 7

• Isolate variables (possible in research but not in personal life)
• Use controls to change only one factor at a time

Question 8

Pashler et al. study

Answer 8

Review of literature to see whether practices of learning styles are effective, using empirical studies. They were looking for interaction between “types” of learning and modes of instruction

Question 9

What 4 criteria did they use to pick the studies

Answer 9

1) Groups divided by their learning styles
2) Randomly assigned to methods
3) Complete the same final
4) Hypothesis: The most effective method for students with one learning style is not the most effective method for students with a different learning style

Question 10

Pashler et al. Findings

Answer 10

• One study met the criteria, but it was flawed (it was done at a private school of gifted students and the groups were not based on criteria that is generally accessible and did not match some learning style categories
• 3 strong studies showed no support for learning-styles (had interaction but it did not support evidence)

Question 11

Pashler et al. Conclusions

Answer 11

• While one cannot say this theory is wrong or bad. they can infer that schools using this theory are not altering the outcome and may even be harming the learning of students
• There is also the factor that application of learning styles in classrooms is unwarranted (variations among students)