Accommodating Learners' Needs and Styles
Conversation Starter Pack
The concept of learning styles is a very attractive one. If everyone has a unique leaning style, and if educators could design learning activities to match each person's preferred style, imagine how easily and quickly students could learn! However, this recent ICVET investigation has demonstrated that the challenges of accommodating learning styles are far more complex. So the initial focus was on learning styles and has since been expanded to accommodating learner needs.
ICVET has developed a new Learning Styles Conversation Starter Pack – a resource which you can download for free (see links below). The pack comprises:
- a User Guide describing how you can apply and adapt the materials (Word document, 220 KB)
- a set of Overheads, with accompanying Notes (PowerPoint document, 456 KB)
In developing the Pack, we've tried not to just repeat the usual clichés about learning styles. Instead, the aim has been to look freshly, basing the material on the latest research and on interviews with TAFE teachers.
As you look through materials, be aware that the views expressed are not TAFE NSW policy or even its preferred position. Instead, they represent a view based on the literature and on the experiences of a select group of TAFE teachers. Their primary purpose is to promote discussion. Some of the views expressed may be controversial, and you may not agree with them. That's fine! Our aim has been to make the materials interesting and thought-provoking, and if they stimulate reflection and discussion, they will have achieved their purpose!
See also
Learning Styles Conversation Pack available VET PEDAGOGY PROJECT UPDATE | eZine November 2005
Accommodating Learning Styles and Characteristics in TAFE ICVET PROJECT PROFILE | eZine August 2005
Are learning styles all they’re cracked up to be? REVIEW | eZine August 2005
TAFE NSW VET Pedagogy Project, ICVET