AN INTRODUCTION TO LEARNING AND TEACHING STYLES - MAKING THE MATCH

The manner in which a student learns is considered his or her learning style. A student may learn best by seeing, hearing, being active, or reflecting, to name a few. Learning styles are typically described by a student's sensory modalities (i.e., visual, tactile, auditory, and k inesthetic) and intellectual processes (i.e., active, reflective, glob al, or analytical). Teaching styles and tools also vary and typically include giving lectures, holding discussions, role playing, or demonst rating. Mismatches between teaching styles and student learning styles can cause students to become inattentive and unproductive in class. N umerous learning style inventories are available to identify individua l student learning styles. These inventories help both student and ins tructor learn how the individual student best processes new informatio n. Therefore, we suggest instructors administer learning style invento ries to obtain a profile of students' learning styles. Students will u ndoubtedly learn more effectively if instructors match their teaching styles to student learning styles.