Diversity Article

Pat Burke Guild goes to great lengths to describe the exhaustive research that has gone into understanding student learning styles, and commits a large portion of the article to discussing the varied and disparate categories a student can fall into. Guild warns the reader about a trap teachers and researchers can easily find themselves in the more research is conducted into learning styles, being classification of students into broad categories of learning styles based on specific background factors, like gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

            To Guild finding a preferred learning style for a particular student needs to be genuine and organic. The instructor needs to get to know the student, know what they like and dislike, along with their own individual areas of strength and areas that still need improvement. Trying map out this student as a single point on a data sheet distracts and undermines their personal needs as a student and as a person.

            Guild asserts that all learning styles can lead a student to a successful outcome, and reminds teachers that the most easily planned methods of delivering content can leave many students unengaged, suggesting that teachers use a variety of styles to deliver content. Alternatively Guild also warns teachers not to focus too heavily on less commonly used styles as well as they can cause a teacher and their class to stumble if applied too frequently.

            Guild closes claiming that there is still little substitute for an exceptional teacher, a passionate and knowledgeable instruction can most often engage any kind of learner with their enthusiasm, but informed accommodations for every kind of student will foster even greater success for students.