Integrating Learning Styles

Silver, H., Strong, R., & Perini, M. (1997). Integrating learning styles and multiple intelligences [Abstract]. Educational Leadership, 55(1), 22-27. Retrieved from :http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept97/vol55/num01/Integrating-Learning-Styles-and-Multiple-Intelligences.aspx

Integrating Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences by Silver, Strong and Perini addresses the integration of learning styles and multiple intelligences to minimize the limitations of child learning within the classroom. It offers definitions of their own model of four learning styles that includes: The Mastery style learner, the Understanding style learner, the Self-expressive style learner, and the Interpersonal style learner. This is different than the traditional VARK model that is more widely spread. this model and Silver, Strong, and Perini’s application of it seems to hold more water only for the fact that it is more broad and vague, allowing for the success of their model in that you can look at any child and pop them into one, or more, of their styles and you will have a match.

In the article they highlight and bullet the strengths of the learning styles model but do not focus such attention on the two weaknesses they list. That list of weaknesses seems short and not as detailed as their list of strengths. The article also speaks of Garder’s theory of Multiple Intelligences, and it’s limitations, not in that there can be more than the seven he initially reported but that when looking at one intelligence it doesn’t account for the variables within that specific learning intelligence. They use musical composers and state that not all music composers would utilize only one facet of musical intelligence, that there are potentially as many musical intelligences as there are composers. That makes sense to me, but at the same time, reduces the validity of their 4 learning styles in the same manner.

The authors cite many references but no particular research performed by them, within the classroom. It talks only of theory with little mention of practical application and outcomes from the field.

When I researched Harvey Strong I was lead to a website, http://www.thoughtfulclassroom.com that initially rings very similar to the Eric Jensen site. Unfortunately, it puts a negative taste in my mouth. It sells educational materials, again touting the professional validity of Silver and Strong. Upon deeper investigating, their team of experts are actually experts in their fields, most having doctoral degrees and decades of experience in the classroom. It seems much more valid and research-based than Eric Jensen’s Brain based education. I think the article and its recommendations are solid, but a bit vague. It’s hard to find a person or child who wouldn’t fit into their broad spectrum of learning styles.