Research on Learning Styles
Research on Learning Styles: How Current Research Defines Learning Styles in Education
As someone who grew up in a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) and now blogs about education and learning, I've always been fascinated by how people absorb information so differently. Some of my fellow santris could memorize kitab kuning just by listening once; others, like me, needed diagrams, colors, and time. When I came across the topic of research on learning styles, it felt like a missing piece in understanding not only how students learn—but also how to teach better.
What Are Learning Styles and Why Do They Matter?
Learning styles refer to the preferred ways individuals process, understand, and retain information. For decades, educators have designed teaching strategies around the idea that people learn better when instruction matches their preferred learning style. This belief became widely popular in the early 1990s with models like VARK (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic) and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory.
But how solid is the science behind it?
What Does Current Research Say?
According to a 2017 report from University College London (UCL), the idea of tailoring instruction strictly to learning styles lacks consistent scientific support. Neuroscientist Dr. Paul Howard-Jones from UCL found that although 93% of teachers believed in learning styles, there's no strong evidence that adapting teaching to specific styles actually improves student outcomes.
Similarly, a 2018 review by the American Psychological Association (APA) stated that "there is no adequate evidence base to justify incorporating learning styles assessments into general educational practice." In other words, while learning styles can be a useful personal reflection tool, they shouldn’t be the foundation of curriculum design.
Research from Prestigious Universities
- Harvard University – In multiple articles from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, researchers encourage focusing on “evidence-based learning strategies” such as retrieval practice and spaced repetition instead of labeling students by style.
- Yale University – The Yale Center for Teaching and Learning emphasizes flexible teaching that supports multiple modalities, rather than fixed learning-style categories.
- University of Virginia – A 2020 study there suggests that giving learners choices in how they engage with material may be more effective than rigidly matching a learning style.
So, Should We Dismiss Learning Styles Completely?
Not quite. From my own experience teaching kids in my pesantren and writing online educational content, I’ve learned that acknowledging diversity in learners does matter. But instead of saying, “Ray is a visual learner, so I’ll only use diagrams,” a more accurate approach would be: “Ray benefits from diagrams, but let me also include questions, real-life scenarios, and hands-on practice.”
Learning preferences are real. Rigid learning styles? Maybe not.
How Should Educators Use This Research?
Here are some actionable takeaways for educators, especially if you’re working with diverse student groups:
- Use multiple modes: Mix visuals, audio, reading, and physical activities regardless of the learner’s preferred style.
- Encourage metacognition: Teach students to reflect on what strategies work best for them over time.
- Focus on evidence-based methods: Retrieval practice, spaced learning, and formative assessment are backed by strong research.
Final Thoughts
As a santri and now a lifelong learner, I’ve come to appreciate that education isn’t about choosing one method or one label. It's about meeting learners where they are—while gently guiding them beyond what they think they need.
Learning styles are not a myth, but they're also not a magic formula. Let’s use them as part of a broader, more inclusive strategy—one that embraces the whole student and the complexity of real-world learning.
Read more about Learning Styles
Read more about Understanding Learning Styles :
What Are Learning Styles? Understanding Different Learning Styles in Education
Comments
Post a Comment