Learning Styles and Technology

Ross, C.M., & Lukow, J.E. (2004). Are learning styles a good predictor for integrating instructional technology into a curriculum? Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 4:1. Retreived July 21, 2007, from Education Resources Information Center database.

Summary: This purpose of this research was to study the relationship between learning styles and attitudes towards technology in the classroom. Technology is increasingly being used in the classroom to expand the curriculum, but with this increase of use comes the concern of whether or not this is effective for the students’ learning. The authors state three areas of concern: “(a) the knowledge and skill level of students and instructors regarding the technologies, (b) students’ attitudes toward these technologies, and (c) how these technologies influence individual learning styles. Another issue mentioned is whether or not the technology being used is chosen for educational reasons or more so for aesthetic reasons. Will it truly help the students learn or is it just appealing to the eye?

The study was conducted among 422 students of undergraduate leisure studies at a large Midwestern University in 2001-2002. They completed the Kolb Learning Style Inventory and the computer attitudes survey. The computer attitudes survey was developed by the researchers and included questions about personal information, use of computers and attitudes regarding technology. Over half of the students were female and 50% were 20-21 years old.

The results were surprising to the researchers; there was no apparent relationship between learning styles and attitudes toward technology in the classroom. The researchers suggest that perhaps the students have become familiar with technology in the classroom even before entering higher education, therefore they are comfortable with it and used to seeing it in a learning environment.

Response: I think this was a very interesting study and I am surprised with the results as well. When I started reading the article I assumed that there would be a relationship between learning styles and attitudes towards technology. After reading that there was no strong correlation between the two, I thought about the different types of learning styles and how they might relate to the use of technology. Technology can appeals to all types of learning styles and preferences: visual, aural, musical, reading/writing and even kinesthetic. The article mentioned that they did not find a strong correlation between age and attitudes towards technology either. I find this strange as well, but they did say that over 50% of their respondents were 20-21 years old. I have to wonder what percentage of the remaining were under 30; the article doesn’t mention that. It seems to me that students over 30 or 35 would not be as comfortable with the use of technology in the classroom. This is important for me to keep in mind because I plan to work with all ages of adults. If I intend to do an exercise on the computer, I need to keep in mind that I might need to allot time for explaining basic computer use for some of my older students. Additionally, many of my students are from other countries and have never used a computer before.

I think the use of technology can be a great tool for the classroom and can appeal to all learning styles. The important thing is that as a teacher, we choose the DVD’s, software programs, websites etc. for the appropriate reason: because it helps learners learn. We must also be careful not to overuse technology because sometimes the “old” ways of writing on a board or talking can work too. I feel that I have seen one too many PowerPoint presentations because they are often overused. It’s a great example of a teacher using technology because it’s more appealing to the eye and perhaps easier to prepare. We must plan carefully just as we would with any type of lesson with or without technology involved.