Learning styles: myth and truth

In short: The idea that people are either visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners and learn well only that way is not scientifically supported. What works is processing the material in several ways.

In more detail: Studies found no advantage when teaching is adapted to the “preferred learning style”.

In detail

• Preferences: People have preferences, which however hardly determine learning outcomes.
• What counts: Active retrieval, spaced repetition, explaining (vergessenskurve-und-wiederholen).
• Several channels: Combine text, image, speech and action when it fits the content (gedaechtnis-und-arbeitsgedaechtnis).
• Content determines method: Geography needs maps, music needs listening.
• Prior knowledge: Link the new to the known.
• Motivation: Interest promotes learning (motivation-intrinsisch-und-extrinsisch).
• Critical thinking: Also check popular claims (trugschluesse-erkennen).
• Practice: Try different methods and keep what helps (texte-lesen-und-verstehen-sq3r).