Why learning styles are important to use.

    One of the criticisms about learning styles is that it labels people. I disagree. People label things, not the learning style. It is natural to put things into categories so we can better understand them. That is part of learning and understanding. If one can't categorize and sort things, then one can't learn well and, in fact, can hardly function. In the movie "Rainman" we saw a person who couldn't sort for importance, saw everything, so he was very afraid and disfunctional. We need to be prioritize and delete in order to function well in life.

  Unfortunately, many people believe that learning about your preferred learning style means that learning style is now a fact that can never be changed and they use it as an excuse, or as a reason why they do or don't learn. This is very harmful and not necessary. We are not so mono-talented. We learn in each and every one of the learning styles, and only PREFER some over others. Even though someone is not strong in auditory, does not mean they don't learn by listening. How silly!

Learning what your preferred learning style is should be empowering. It should give you tools for success because we need to know our strengths and weaknesses in order to utilize the strengths and improve on the weaknesses. In fact, we should be grateful for the differences that others bring--they are blessings!  For example, my strengths are creativity, visual, great at spatial awareness, I love taking action and doing things, and am very reflective. If I am fortunate enough to work in a team that is strong in other ways I am not as strong, we can be an unstoppable team.

Labeling ourselves or others is disrespectful. It implies we are not complex and complicated beings who can grow and improve. The point of learning styles is to improve our learning base, to grow and become our best. When a teacher (a manager, trainer, etc.) presents material to us in multiple ways, we are better able to grasp and remember it. As a teacher, I keep in mind that my students need me to be the communicator who gives numerous opportunities for understanding something to them.