Learning style can be defined as, “Characteristic cognitive, affective, and physiological factors that serve as relatively stable indicators of how a learner perceives, interacts with, and responds to the learning environment” (NASSP). In other words, we can think of a learning style as how a person prefers to learn .

There are many approaches to determining students' learning styles. In this jigsaw activity students will look at five of these. (Go to the Jigsaw Classroom for an overview of this cooperative learning strategy.) Though a variety of learning style models and inventories could be used for this activity, the five listed below are suggested. Click on each model to access sample inventories:

VARK

Multiple Intelligences (MI)

Hemisphericity (scoring key)

Gregorc

Kolb

Basic information regarding these models can be found at the above links except for hemisphericity and multiple intelligences. Click on the colored text to access information on MI and hemisphericity.

To complete this activity, each student should be given one of five different learning styles inventories, each representing a different approach to assessing learning style. They will then need to:

1) complete and score the learning style inventory they have been given (5 minutes);

2) read information about that learning style approach (5 minutes);

3) meet with the students who completed the same inventory (all who completed the VARK, for instance) and prepare to teach students who completed other inventories about the learning style model represented by their inventory. This segment should be completed in about 10 minutes;

4) form groups of five or six, consisting of at least one person who completed each inventory;

5) give a copy of the materials they received to the other students in their group, and teach them about the learning style model or approach assessed by their inventory. It is suggested that the models be presented in the following order: VARK, Multiple Intelligences, Hemisphericity, Gregorc, and Kolb. This segment of the jigsaw should be completed in about 25 minutes (5 minutes each).

6 ) after each group member has described his or her learning style model, groups should discuss whether they believe that learning style is a useful educational concept. They should also choose the model they believe provides the best measure of learning style. They should then choose a group spokesperson who will share their conclusions with the whole class (15 minutes).