You're not so special
And here I'd always considered myself a visual learner:
Take the notion that children have specific learning styles, that some are “visual learners” and others are auditory; some are “left-brain” students, others “right-brain.” In a recent review of the relevant research, published in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a team of psychologists found almost zero support for such ideas.“ The contrast between the enormous popularity of the learning-styles approach within education and the lack of credible evidence for its utility is, in our opinion, striking and disturbing,” the researchers concluded.
Of course, I can't be sure I'm really understanding that until I see it in chart form. More research on studying and learning here.
By
Ezra Klein
|
September 9, 2010; 3:44 PM ET
Save & Share:
Previous: Why we need an energy bill (in one graph)
Next: People don't listen to the president
Lack of support is not support of lack. The study there's no evidence for the notion, not that there's evidence against the notion.
Posted by: ctown_woody | September 9, 2010 4:07 PM | Report abuse
Ezra should think about the implications. He loves technocratic reformers. More often than not, though, these education reforms are just fads. Imagine the amount of time that has spent discussing and planning for these "learning styles."
Posted by: Hopeful9 | September 9, 2010 4:37 PM | Report abuse
Okay, Ezra. Time to go look up the March 16, 1990, Calvin and Hobbes. "I've decided I'm more of a visual learner." "Visualize being the only 45-year-old in first grade."
Posted by: ShermanDorn | September 9, 2010 6:07 PM | Report abuse
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.