Swansea University — ScienceDaily — 6 January 2021
A new review by Swansea University reveals that around 90% of educators worldwide believe in the ‘learning styles’ theory — a teaching method that research has shown to be not only ineffective but potentially harmful to learners. The most well-known learning styles system (VARK) categorises individuals as visual, auditory, read-write or kinesthetic learners, but various reviews since the mid-2000s have found no evidence that matching instructional methods to a student’s supposed learning style improves learning. A student categorised as an auditory learner, for example, may end up demotivated in visual or written subjects. The researchers recommend focusing instead on evidence-based methods like practice testing and spaced instruction. Published in Frontiers in Education.