Introduction to accelerated learning

5. Learning styles

There are now numerous resources available on learning styles or multiple intelligences, and their implications for classroom learning. At the simplest level, what teachers need to recognise is that not all of their students will prefer to learn in the same way. Although everybody is capable of working in most learning styles, we will all have our preferred learning style in which we learn most efficiently.

Click on "view document" below and read the brief definitions of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning styles and about multiple intelligences.

While much of this makes very interesting reading, the main thing to remember is that we need to provide for a wide variety of learners in our classes, and should not always expect every student to do things in the same way. As long as they all achieve the learning objective you have identified, students should be afforded some flexibility in how they achieve it.

Activity 6

Click on the links below and use one of the two online tests to establish your own learning style.

Click here to go to the VARK website

Click here to go to the Learning Styles Questionnaire

You could also use these to analyse the learning styles of a particular class or student you teach.

Now plan a lesson where students have the choice of at least five different ways to reach the same learning objective, e.g. answer the questions, write a poem, design a symbol, perform a role play, etc. These five ways should appeal to a range of different learning styles.

Some of the techniques suggested here are quick and simple, while others will take more research and development before they become truly effective. Research in the field of whole brain learning continues to develop rapidly; here are some suggestions for further reading.

• Colin Rose, Accelerated Learning, Accelerated Learning Systems Ltd, 1985.

• Alistair Smith, Accelerated Learning in the Classroom, Network Educational Press Ltd, 1996.

• Mike Hughes, Closing the Learning Gap, Network Educational Press Ltd, 1991.

• Bill Lucas, Power Up Your Mind, Nicholas Brearley Publishing, 2001.

• Eric Jensen, Super Teaching, The Brain Store, Inc., 1995.

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