Learning Styles

Learning styles describe how students prefer to learn. Despite their intellectual gifts, not all highly able students are challenged and engaged in their classrooms. Creativity, for instance, may not be encouraged, accommodated, or commended by some teachers at any grade level, and yet creative expression may be needed in some individuals, as well as natural and instinctual. Expression through visual arts, music, poetry, and hands-on construction may be much more comfortable for some than is expression through traditional homework assignments and tests. Learning disabilities may also interfere with learning. Behavior may be a problem as well. Both problematic behavior and underachievement may reflect problems related to the fit of learning style in the classroom.

This entry first describes types of learning styles. Next, this entry discusses ...