THE IMPACT OF STUDENTS’ PREFERRED

LEARNING STYLESON CURRICULUM DESIGN

& DELIVERY:PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Dr. Beverly Barham

Dr. Lori WoesteCTLT Presentation1/9/08

LEARNING STYLES

Auditory Visual Kinesthetic Determined by using a brief preferred

learning styles inventory at start of junior cohortHaroun, L. & Royce, S. 2004. Teaching ideas

and classroom activities for health care. New York: Thomson Learning

CLS BACKGROUND

Progress through curriculum as cohorts Majority are junior status upon entry 2 semesters theory/lab intensive pre-

professional practice as juniors 1 semester professional practice in fall

of senior year 1 semester distance learning theory

based advanced courses spring of senior year

2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

1

2

3

4

5

Auditory

Cohorts

# o

f st

udents

2003; 7

2004; 19

2005; 4

2006; 15

2007; 12

AuditoryYear/Percentage

AUDITORY CURRICULAR DESIGN

Auditory component of lectures Reading to themselves as they study Reiterating question so they process

question and answer together In laboratory settings they need to hear

instructions before performing

2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Visual

Cohorts

# o

f st

udents

2003; 22

2004; 31

2005; 22

2006; 31

2007; 24

VisualYear/Percentage

VISUAL CURRICULAR DESIGN

Pictures or other visuals such as flow charts or algorithms to break down complex curricular components

Notes or drawings In laboratory settings they need to see it

done prior to performing

2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Kinesthetic

Cohorts

# o

f st

udents

2003; 71

2004; 50

2005; 74

2006; 54

2007; 64

KinestheticYear/Percentage

KINESTHETIC CURRICULAR DESIGN

Need to have some sort of movement or activity

Manipulatives aid in the learning process

In laboratory settings prior practice of performance is needed

2003 2004 2005 2006 20070

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

Aggregate Data

Auditory Visual Kinesthetic

# o

f st

udents

DELIVERY:TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM

Classroom Capped enrollment/lecture Try to incorporate each learning style into

each individual lecture Assignments tailored to diverse learning styles

Lab Setting Capped enrollment/lab Designed labs to incorporate “pods” Lab groups assigned to incorporate diverse

learning styles

DELIVERY:DISTANCE LEARNING

Include audio with lecture material Include suggestions or assignments that

include a kinesthetic component Include resources that will enhance

auditory and visual learners

HOW IS IT WORKING?

ChallengesProctored ExamsSelf paced vs benchmarked distance

courses“Waves”

Transitioning from WebCT® to Blackboard ®

FUTURE IMPACTS

Podcasting Flexible curriculum delivery based on

cohort learning style composite

THANK YOU

Any questions?

Contact InformationDr. Beverly Barham 8-2177Dr. Lori Woeste 8-8810