Abstract #259

# 259
Are “learning styles” real and do they impact learning assessment?
T. Kitchel*1, 1The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

For decades, there has been much discussion over the role of learning styles in the teaching and learning process. Critics of the learning styles movement would say it’s stereotyping learning and learners in a way that is not helpful for student learning. Champions would say the area of learning styles helps teachers understand their students better and therefore assists in the process of tailoring teaching to student needs. But, what does science say and what does practice support? In this session, we will unpack learning styles and its role in the teaching and learning process. In particular, we will talk about different ways learning styles have been operationalized, ways learning styles have been espoused to be use, and the connection, if any, to student learning. And, we will answer the question, if not learning styles, then what do we use?

Key Words: teaching, learning, assessment