Do Learning Styles Really Exist?

The idea of learning styles is widespread throughout the field of pedagogy and people are often categorized according to their learning style. However, in scientific research, there has been no credible evidence that supports the existence of learning styles. This video defines learning styles theory, talks about some previous research in the field of pedagogy and explains why there is no true basis behind the idea of learning styles. In addition, Dr. Joseph Kim, an associate professor of psychology, neuroscience and behaviour at McMaster University, speaks about the non-existence of learning styles.

This video was created by fourth year McMaster students interested in education and knowledge translation: Dana Abu-Jazar, Ana Kovacevic, Amber Kayed, Jasleen Khaira, Babak Nouhi, Simranpal Dhanju, Ria Oommen, and Nisha Gajaria.

Copyright McMaster University 2014

References:

Kratzig, Gregory, and Katherine Arbuthnott. "Perceptual Learning Style and Learning Proficiency: A Test of the Hypothesis." Journal of Educational Psychology (2006).

Salomon, Gavriel. "Television Is "easy" and Print Is "tough": The Differential Investment of Mental Effort in Learning as a Function of Perceptions and Attributions." Journal of Educational Psychology 76.4 (1984).