Response to the de-debunkers

2 Responses to “Response to the de-debunkers”

• Liz Ditz

  28 March 2010 at 3:11 pm

  If you don’t want to sign into Teacher Magazine, here are the examples that Heather Wolpert-Gawron gives of “learning styles” from her classroom. Wolpert-Gawron teaches middle school language arts, speech and debate in California.

  • Neil learns better if I’m teaching with the interactive board and totally phases out when we’re reading. I’d really want to know about Neil’s reading level — this may have to do with his difficulty with reading, rather than a “learning style”

  • Desiree phases out when we’re reading, but as long as someone’s talking about the material, she’s in. Ditto for Desiree

  • Tien thrives in the computer lab.Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? What does this mean about Tien’s alleged learning style?

  • The entire class wakes up if they stand up.Well, d’oh! It’s well-known that frequent breaks from just sitting and listening increase engagement. It doesn’t have a danged thing to do with the learning styles stuff

  • Seth has to be doing three things at once or he can’t pay attention at all.Again — what does this have to do with the claims for learning styles?

  • Armando needs everything to relate to him or he goes over to the Dark Side.That would be middle school, wouldn’t it?

  • Jenny will do anything academic I ask of her as long as I allow her to use a pink pen. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? What does this mean about Jenny’s alleged learning style?

  • Brandon will never be given the time of day, and nobody will love his writing like I do, unless he learns to type.Sounds more like Brandon hasn’t learned, or is otherwise unable, to handwrite accurately and legibly. Don’t get me started on handwriting, either in elementary school or in middle school

  • Every student loves coming in to find the room looking different.And this is relevant to learning styles…how?

  • Sarah will only work with Angy, but Fabiola can’t work with Sarah.Welcome to middle school, part deux

  • Tin will function in a small group, but only one consisting of young ladies.Welcome to middle school, part trois

  I wonder if Heather Wolpert-Gawron actually read the paper in question. Perhaps she needs to work on her own reading comprehension.
• Cedar Riener

  28 March 2010 at 9:37 pm

  Thanks for the recommendation! I like your previous posts too. I will have to add you to my Google reader feed.
  Also, lest anyone think I am hiding as a pseudonymous blogger, I am also an assistant professor of psychology, here at lovely Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. I appreciate the kind words.

  -Cedar