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Testing for Learning Styles?
- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 8 months ago by
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I am considering buying a coupon from Homeschool Buyers Coop for an online learning style assessment for my two 8yo sons. I’ve never done such a thing and I’d love to get feedback on such services. The company that is offering the testing is called Learning Success Institute. Each test would cost $20 with the coupon. If you have any advice about this, I’d love to hear it. Thanks.
There is a learning style assessment at http://www.odessa.edu/dept/govt/dille/brian/courses/1100orientation/learningstyleinventory_survey.pdf that you score yourself. I don’t know if you could use it for your sons by asking them the questions or just observing them to answer the questions yourself. It is listed among resources at the end of a post on learning styles at http://kindredgrace.com/learning-styles/. You might want to check out the post on Kindred Grace.
I am not familiar with the test you referred to. However, I did read Cynthia Tobias’ book, The Way They Learn, years ago, and her book is among the resources listed in that post.
Hi! I had my daughter take the very same test you mentioned and it just confirmed the obvious for us. I believe if we just study our children a bit, it’s fairly easy to see what their learning styles are. It was a waste of money for me but others may find it helpful. Have you tried looking for reviews elsewhere?
My favorite book on learning styles is by Carol Barnier, “The Big What Now Book of Learning Styles”. Most of the book is ideas on how to teach to the different styles.
I think learning styles are “nice to know” but not totally critical, and I think general observation can help you have enough insight into this without paying someone money. Most of us have a tendency one way or another, and it can be helpful to recognize this and build on a strength, but to be perfectly honest we all need fluency in learning in many ways. You can’t really avoid any particular one. I think excessive catering to a “learning style” is a mistake, and most moms should be able to make the observations and adjustments necessary without lots of expensive products. Save your money for a terrific living book, a piece of art, a great CD, a museum visit, a Lego set. 🙂
Every couple of years I use this book (Discovering Your Child’s Learning Style http://www.amazon.com/Discover-Your-Childs-Learning-Style/dp/B00HUBLWE0/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1407940003&sr=8 12&keywords=Discover+your+child%27s+learning+style) to reassess my children’s learning styles. It has a lengthy assessment in the back of the book of questions you ask your child. It goes over more than just learning style. It covers things like the best enviorment for your child to learn, disposition, talents, and interests. It takes time to sit down with each child and do, but my kids enjoy it because I really sit and listen to who they are. i don’t suggest the assessment till age 7 or 8, since it is based on their answers.
I think I would take the most difficult subjects (or portions thereof) and tackle those with activities geared toward a child’s particular learning style, especially in the earlier years. For example, some kids memorize math facts quickly and others don’t. If that is a struggle, then choosing activities based on that child’s dominant learning style might make the process easier.
However, that doesn’t mean you should ditch all read-alouds if that child is not an auditory learner….just use the visual or kinesthetic activities for where she/he is struggling most. At least, that’s what we have done in the past.
I really appreciate all your input. I’ve been sick in bed all day today (sadly my husband too!) and just thought to come back and read this. I think I’ll look at the book recommendations to see if they provide any support for me. I know I should be able to rattle off how my children best learn but I really can’t. I can’t even tell you how *I* best learn. For some reason it is a totally foreign concept to me. I don’t know how to separate learning style from temperament and (bad) habits. Does my son not like what we’re doing bc he just wants to be outside running around? Or is it really a learning style problem that we’re dealing with? They are both 8/3rd grade and it feels like it is time for the one to be a little more serious/diligent about his work. Thanks for the book suggestions, and for the recommendation to not get the little test I mentioned. Now back to sleep for me!
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