Professional Development

Learning styles

Learning involves a complex interplay between attention, perception, memory, and feedback, and is influenced by a range of factors including motivation, prior knowledge, and the learning environment.  The role of the teacher involves the understanding of this process and applying it to the lesson structure.  It is important to understand that the greater the students’ attention on the topic and the more physically and emotionally involved they feel, the greater is the learning outcome.

The learning pyramid is a concept that describes how people retain information and skills through different modes of learning. The idea is that people retain more information when they are actively engaged in the learning process, as opposed to passive learning, where they are simply receiving information.

The learning pyramid is typically represented as a pyramid-shaped hierarchy of learning modes, with the most effective modes at the bottom of the pyramid and the least effective modes at the top. The pyramid is often attributed to the National Training Laboratories in the United States, although there is some debate about its origins.

Here is a breakdown of the different levels of the learning pyramid:

  1. Teach others – This is considered the most effective mode of learning. When you teach others, you are actively engaging with the material and reinforcing your own understanding of it.
  2. Practice by doing – This involves actively practicing a skill or applying knowledge in a hands-on way. This is a highly effective way to learn because it engages both your mind and body.
  3. Discussion groups – Group discussions are a great way to reinforce learning and gain new insights. They encourage active engagement and can help you see things from different perspectives.
  4. Audiovisual – This mode includes things like videos, podcasts, and lectures. While these can be helpful, they are often passive and don’t engage the learner as much as more active modes of learning.
  5. Reading – Reading is a passive form of learning, and while it can be useful, it is less effective than more active modes of learning.
  6. Lecture – Lectures are often the least effective mode of learning, as they are passive and don’t encourage much engagement or interaction with the material.
 

It’s important to note that everyone has their own learning style and preferences, and what works best for one person may not work as well for another. However, the learning pyramid provides a useful framework for understanding the most effective ways to retain information and skills.