How do we teach them, if we don't know how they learn?

Teaching Pre K-8, Apr 1999 by Dunn, Rita

When we found that global students earned statistically higher standardized achievement test scores when they were taught globally, it made sense that they might achieve even better if they were tested with global rather than with analytic tests.

When we examined available tests, every single IQ and achievement test we could find was analytic, except the Kaufman ABC IQ Test. We then decided to develop a global learning style identification test.

New, reliable global learning-style assessments.

Our Wonderful Learning Styles (OWLS) (Guastello & Dunn, 1997), for grades 2-5, and Learning Style: The Clue to You (LS:CY) (Burke & Dunn, 1998), for grades 6-8, are new identification instruments designed to respond to global learners. These inventories include stories, holistic writing, imagery, fantasy, humor and imagination to access global thinking.

The questions following each story correspond to the learning-style strands of the Dunn and Dunn model. Each question is repeated three times throughout the test as a means of assessing the students' preferences and the consistency of their responses. Each possible response to a question is in the form of a picture image (non-verbal message) and a series of words (verbal message) under the picture.

The inclusion of both the verbal and nonverbal clues allows answers to be processed in the learner's preferred thinking style. Students select the response based on their preference for that particular learning-style element.

We recently completed a pair of two-year national studies with these two assessments. They have excellent reliability and appear to be valid, but we still need to determine the accuracy of their predictions. For example, if a student reports a strong preference for learning kinesthetically, and then earns significantly higher test scores when taught kinesthetically than when taught traditionally, the instrument would have predictive validity for that particular element.

We now need to begin a series of experimental studies. In the meantime, these instruments are available to interested educators who wish to experiment with them.

If you're thinking of obtaining these global instruments, it's worth remembering that it's all part of a national validating process. Your participation may help a great many global learners achieve significantly higher test scores.

Editor's Note: How can educators obtain these global instruments?

Teachers who wish to try either of these new instruments can purchase a subscriber's contract for either OWLS or LS:CY for a one-time fee of $150. This payment entitles the purchaser to duplicate the assessment repeatedly. Each completed inventory must be mailed back. The student's learning-style data and an individual Homework Prescription will be returned to the purchaser for the cost of $1.50 per student plus the cost of mailing. For information on how you can obtain these instruments, see the box on this page.

Rita Dunn is Professor, Division of Administrative and Instructional Leadership, and Director, Center for the Study of Learning and Teaching Styles, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY.