 |
 |
For those of you using the LASSI, are you familiar with the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) Questionnaire (from Richard Felder, Linda Silverman, and Barbara Soloman @ NC State University)? If so, I'm interested in your feedback on the two. For those unfamiliar with ILS, this is an FREE online instrument that assess a student's learning style preference in the following areas: active vs. reflective learners, sensing vs. intuitive learners, visual vs. verbal learners, and sequential vs. global learners. The instrument itself is made up of 44 questions and takes about 15 minutes to complete online. Once the completed questionnaire is submitted, you get instance feedback with rating scale indices on each of the above areas. Each index indicates possible strengths and tendencies toward one domain or the other (e.g., whether you are more of a sequential learner than a global learner). The inventory rating also contains learning styles descriptions, as well as a brief explanation of your results. It's important to reiterate the ILS merely indicates learning style preferences. What I tend to like about this inventory is when used in a consultation setting, where learning styles in general are discussed, students begin to understand that not only are there different learning styles but also a difference between their learning style (most students are visual) and an instructor's teaching style (most instructors are verbal). This discussion helps to explain why some students sit in class, feeling as if they are the only ones not "getting" the lecture. Once the student has a idea of the type of information they need to learn, they can then take the necessary steps to compensate for the difference between their preferred learning styles and that of the instructor-that is, if they are truly visual learners, they need to transfer the lecture material to a visual context: graphics, diagrams, mind maps, etc. I further understand the controversy, speculation, and disregard for LS theory. My sense is that this tool offers a wonderful opportunity to help students learn something about themselves while starting a provocative dialogue on the merits of learning. sal Sara L. Weertz Director, Supplemental Instruction Contact Information <http://www.angelo.edu/dept/si/contacts.html> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To access the LRNASST-L archives or User Guide, or to change your subscription options (including subscribe/unsubscribe), point your web browser to http://www.lists.ufl.edu/archives/lrnasst-l.html To contact the LRNASST-L owner, email [log in to unmask]