Learning Styles Notion Still Prevalent on Google

Two and a half years ago, in writing a blog post on learning styles, I did a Google search using the words “learning styles.” I found that the top 17 search items were all advocating for learning styles, even though there was clear evidence that learning-styles approaches DO NOT WORK.

Today, I replicated that search and found the following in the top 17 search items:

• 13 advocated/supported the learning-styles idea.
• 4 debunked it.

That’s progress, but clearly Google is not up to the task of providing valid information on learning styles.

Scientific Research that clearly Debunks the Learning-Styles Notion:

• Kirschner, P. A. (2017) Stop propagating the learning styles myth. Computers & Education, 106, 166-171.
• Willingham, D. T., Hughes, E. M., & Dobolyi, D. G. (2015). The scientific status of learning styles theories. Teaching of Psychology, 42(3), 266-271.
• Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2008). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105-119.
• Rohrer, D., & Pashler, H. (2012). Learning styles: Where’s the evidence? Medical Education, 46(7), 634-635.

Follow the Money

• Still no one has come forward to prove the benefits of learning styles, even though it’s been over 10 years since $1,000 was offered, and 3 years since $5,000 was offered.