Learning Styles in Higher Education, Part II

In yesterday's post, I mentioned some work I had done about twelve years ago (d/b/a The Big Red House) on the subject of learning styles; I was involved in developing curriculum for homeschoolers at that time. The four simplified learning styles I introduced there included

• Structured Sam
• Independent Ira
• Nurturing Nancy
• Active Andy

Many of my comments on that site were (as I said) geared for K-12 homeschoolers, and served to market some curriculum units I had developed. But those four simple "types" were much less complicated than the Myers-Briggs test, and served well.

But more important than what we call each "type," and whether we focus more broadly upon "type" or "intelligences" or focus more narrowly upon a "learning style," the point is that recognition of variations in cognitive processing among people (regardless of age, education, or social group) is a "real" variable that must be taken into account when curriculum is developed.

Unfortunately, as one "moves up" the educational ladder, less latitude is available both for outcomes and method. I'm not familiar with any "unschooling" programs leading to a PhD!

In addition to individual "types" or "styles," I believe that societal and/or generational variations affect the way in which curriculum must be presented. While there are those who favor "teaching the trivium," a more mainstream approach would recognize the multi-media, multi-tasking, semi-distracted, lecture-adverse 20-somethings occupying our college halls.

So, what should the "educated person" of the 21st Century Look Like? What are the skill sets necessary? Certainly technology is part of the mix, but what of more classical pursuits such as rhetoric, logic, and "critical thinking?" Is it harder or easier to be an "educated person" in 2008 as opposed to 1908? Has the ability to gather "facts" instantly from sometimes dubious sources left us vulnerable to becoming merely mirror-images of a centralized database?

Answering these questions in a single blog might be "above my pay grade." But I'll continue to ask, probe, and share my thoughts.

I'd invite you to do the same.