The Myth of Learning Styles and How It Harms Your Self-Study Journey

"I'm a visual learner, so I must see it to understand it."

If you've ever said this (or heard it countless times), don't be afraid, but don't you dare carry on. Almost all students believe they have a preferred learning style, with the majority convinced they're visual learners. But here's the surprising truth: this belief might limit your learning potential.

Understanding the Learning Styles Myth

In today's educational landscape, the learning styles belief seems rooted in our understanding of how we learn. Many students believe they comprehend best through their preferred style, whether it is visual (which, in my experience, almost everyone thinks they are), auditory, or kinesthetic. This widespread myth, however, can prove harmful to anyone aiming to study independently. In their book, Urban Myths about Learning and Education, authors Pedro De Bruyckere, Paul A. Kirschner, and Casper D. Hulshof address this myth, showing that using your preferred style does not lead to better learning outcomes. Along with those authors, many other authors like Julie Dirksen, Brookfield, and Lang, all mention in their instructional books how Learning styles are not a THING! In this post, we will talk about how this false belief might affect your self-learning path and explore how a broader approach to learning can significantly enhance your educational experience.

The theory of learning styles posits that everyone has a unique preference for absorbing information. For example, a self-identified "visual learner" may feel they understand better with diagrams, while an "auditory learner" might gravitate towards lectures. However, numerous studies have found NO evidence supporting that teaching tailored to these styles consistently improves learning results. Research has consistently shown that utilizing a mix of learning approaches can be more beneficial.

The Impact on Self-Study

Believing in the learning styles myth poses real challenges when you undertake self-study. This belief may restrict the materials you use and narrow the range of ideas and knowledge you can access. This can be especially bad in mastering complex subjects built from the interaction of multiple concepts and skills. For instance, imagine you identify as a visual learner. If you only use videos and infographics, you might overlook valuable resources such as podcasts, journal papers, and applying the new skills and knowledge in a mock project. Those are all other ways you can access expert insights and discussions. Or worse, you might think you can't learn through reading or experiencing and give up on those completely.

A Better Framework: Bloom's Taxonomy

Instead of focusing on how you think you learn best, consider what type of thinking the material requires. Bloom's taxonomy shows us that effective learning moves through different cognitive levels:

• Remember: Can you recall key facts and concepts?

• Understand: Can you explain ideas in your own words?

• Apply: Can you use the information in new situations?

• Analyze: Can you break down complex information?

• Evaluate: Can you make judgments about the material?

• Create: Can you produce something new with this knowledge?

At each level, you can make the best use of visual, auditory, or other aids to make your point, explain, or recall. Each "style" is employed in the learning process, where they are most effective.

Practical Strategies for Effective Self-Study

1. Match method to material: Use visual aids for spatial concepts, but don't skip reading theoretical foundations.

2. Embrace discomfort: If something feels challenging, it might be exactly what you need.

3. Test yourself in multiple ways: Write summaries, teach others, create mind maps, solve problems.

4. Seek diverse sources: Combine textbooks, videos, podcasts, and hands-on practice.

   
   

   Navigating your educational path should be an enriching, and beautiful, experience. The most effective learning often arises from exploring a variety of resources and perspectives. By moving beyond the myth of learning styles, you can transform your self-study experience and work towards reaching your academic goals.

Moving Forward: Embracing Learning Flexibility

As someone who teaches across engineering and business disciplines, I've seen firsthand how students flourish when they move beyond learning style limitations. The most successful learners aren't those who stick to their "preferred style," they're the ones who adapt their approach to what the material and situation demand, and are not afraid of getting their information from multiple sources. Your brain is far more flexible than the learning styles myth implies. You learn by creating diverse pathways in your brain and building various connections. Using a mix of materials enhances those connections without requiring extra effort. By embracing this flexibility, you not only become a better student but also develop adaptability and enhance your skills as a self-learner.

What learning myth will you challenge next?

A stack of colorful books representing diverse learning resources