The Widespread Belief in Learning Styles

The term “learning styles” refers to the belief that students learn best when instruction method matches their preferred learning style, typically either visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic. The belief in learning styles is widespread among all key players in the education system despite a lack of empirical evidence to demonstrate its merit. This belief extends to the general public, including parents and students, who believe teachers should teach students preferred learning style. Indeed, many educators at all levels, and across the globe, support and implement elements of learning style theories in their classroom. The cost to this practice is the use of limited time and resources to determine students’ preferred learning styles and customize lessons to teach that style. These practices are bolstered by researchers from diverse disciplines supporting learning styles and endorsement fromina ministries and regulatory organizations including state standards and certification exams. Among such groups, learning styles theory has become commonly accepted knowledge, even without scientific merit. The widespread nature of the learning styles myth demonstrates the importance of educating all key players so limited resources are redirected to evidence-based practices.