Describes the four types of learning modalities (kinesthetic, tactual, auditory, and visual) and provides suggestions for adapting teaching styles. (SK)

Discussion of instructional materials design highlights perceptional modality preferences. Research on perception is reviewed; preferences for audio versus video, verbal versus pictorial, and listening versus reading are described; learning styles are considered; and theoretical and practical implications for audiovisual designers are suggested.…

Comparison of 224 Pennsylvania secondary agricultural education students with a national sample showed that (1) the Pennsylvania students' cognitive skills were less developed; (2) their preferred responses to information were auditory and emotive; (3) small group and hands-on were preferred environments; and (4) they were less likely to prefer…

As dropout and student disengagement rates reach alarmingly high levels, learning styles theory offers one way to expand teaching methods and curricula to reach more students. Although accommodating individual differences is appealing, nagging doubts and murky research results (detailed in a sidebar) persist. Another sidebar explores culture/style…

Uses descriptive text, diagrams, and specific assignments to discuss the different learning modalities of students. Equipped with this knowledge and the power of instructional diversity, the joy of learning and teaching can be regained by simply transforming materials currently used in the classroom into materials that best fit a student's…

Effective learning requires (1) compatibility of teaching methods and students' learning strategies and (2) consideration of individual ways of dealing with the learning environment. Teaching strategies should generate constructive friction between the learner and the learning environment. (SK)

Total Physical Response (TPR), developed by James Asher, is defined as a teaching technique whereby a learner responds to language input with body motions. Performing a chant or the game "Robot" is an example of a TPR activity, where the teacher commands her robots to do some task in the classroom. Acting out stories and giving imperative commands…

The class of media characteristics, which is generic to them and which may be of potentially great relevance to learning, is the way in which media select, highlight, structure, and present information, i.e., their "languages" or symbol systems. How, if at all, and why do symbol systems, in general, differentially relate to cognition and learning?…

A study was conducted to determine if students who depend on an analytical cognitive style will learn more when matched with a step-by-step treatment, and whether students who depend on a holistic cognitive style will learn more when matched with an all-at-once treatment. To test these hypotheses, scores on the Wechsler Verbal Similarities Test…

A study involving 25 deaf students mainstreamed in a community college was conducted to investigate differences in cognitive styles between deaf and hearing students. Both normal hearing and deaf students responded to a cognitive style inventory which consisted of 216 descriptive statements with which each student assessed himself in terms of…

Compares the effects of pictorial representation accompanied by visual-verbal or auditory-verbal information on learning time for high and low reading ability high school students. Neither format showed consistently significant effect on learning time; but the auditory-verbal format consistently required less learning time, and high ability…

Describes a study that examined the cognitive styles of African students in order to propose appropriate strategies for bibliographic instruction in African colleges. The results of the cognitive tests given to students are presented, and recommendations for appropriate teaching strategies are outlined. (12 references) (CLB)

Results indicated no interaction between modality preference and reading method. The visual method of teaching resulted in higher achievement regardless of modality preference; however, children with an auditory modality preference were generally superior in achievement compared to those with a visual preference. (Author)

An explanation is given of the three cognitive style dimensions and the instruments that are useful in determining students' learning style. Special emphasis is on application to instruction in biology. (SA)

The Learning Style Inventory (LSI) measures an individual student's learning style and preference for physical learning environment. LSI scores for 321 students in grades 3, 6, and 7 were correlated to their self-concept scores. Eight LSI variables discriminated significantly between subjects with high and low self-concepts. (SJL)