We spend so much time in college researching different learning styles. Not only was this taught as truth, but one of my classes even forced me to create different copies of the same lesson for each type of learner in the classroom.
The one that strikes me is “I am a visual learner.” Of course, you are. You have a human brain that is wired for visual information. It’s our primary sense.
I am an olfactory learner. Please create an assignment to assist me learn.
If smell is your dominant sense, I’d say you’re a dog or a bear. However, given that this is the internet, it is difficult to determine.
You’re right, the idea of different “learning styles” is a myth that has been debunked by numerous scientific studies. While it’s true that individuals have preferences for how they like to receive information, research shows no evidence teaching to a student’s preferred learning style (e.g. visual, auditory, kinesthetic) leads to better learning outcomes. A 2009 review by the Association for Psychological Science concluded that “labelling learners according to a preferred learning style is unlikely to boost learning”. Studies have found students do not perform better when taught in their supposed “learning style”, and many students don’t even study in a way that matches their preferred style. While the concept of learning styles is appealing and widely believed by educators, the science simply doesn’t support it. Instructors should focus on using a variety of teaching methods to engage all students, not on tailoring instruction to individual learning styles.