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Canfield Learning Styles | |
| As assessed by the Canfield Learning Styles Inventory, this
approach developed by Albert Canfield is that students will learn best if the instructor's
methods and preferences are similar to their own. Learning style is defined as the affective component of education that motivates a student to learn. There are several types of learners. Social Learner Prefers extensive opportunities to interact, and lots of group work. Use: small group discussion and problem solving, cooperative projects, debates, games. Independent Learner Prefers to work alone toward individual goals. Use: self-paced learning, reading, individual projects, critiques, tutorials, writing assignments, journal-keeping. Applied Learner Prefers to learn in activities that are directly related to real world experience. Use: site visits, field experiences at each site, role playing, simulations, problem-solving exercises, coaching. Conceptual Learner Prefers highly organized verbal approaches. Use: lecture, readings, handouts, case studies, quizzes, outlines, workbooks. Neutral Learner Has no clear preferences. This person may respond to any method or may find it difficult to become involved in the learning experience. Mixed Styles
Use a combination of strategies as appropriate. One study looked at the relationship between Canfield learning styles and successful completion of a college degree earned through distance education. The results showed that the primary difference between completers and noncompleters was in self-perceptions of academic ability. Completers had a significantly higher expectation that they would get an A in the course, while noncompleters expected a C. In addition, noncompleters had higher social needs. (See Coggins, C.C. [1988]. Preferred learning styles and their impact on completion of external degree programs. American Journal of Distance Education 2 [1), 25-37.) |