Horizon Report p. 10-11

What does the author say about learning styles and the evidence for their use in determining learning strategies? 

Deeper learning occurs when "students take control of how they engage with a subject" (NMC Horizon Report, 2015). This self directed learning fosters growth in students when it's combined with the interest of the students. When focusing on students' interests, teachers focus more on strategies to facilitate learning rather than differentiating by learning style (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.). According to Ronan (2015), "in the last few years the idea of student achievement being impacted by lessons taught to their particular learning style has been debunked" (para. 1). Gillespie also agreed that that there is evidence proving that teaching based on learning styles is not effective. Rather than focus on learning styles, teachers should focus on student interests because if the students are interested then they will be engaged. Engaged learners are typically more motivated to succeed. So how do you focus on student interests? One simple way is by providing students the ability to choose. These choices can range in everything from seats to homework problems.

Choose one of the seven ways to give students choice and describe how you will implement this in your classroom using technology.

One way I am currently giving students choice is by allowing them to choose their seat in the library. I give clear directions and expectations at the beginning of the year about choosing good table mates. I typically allow students to rearrange their seats after Christmas to help build different connections. One choice I would like to utilize is the Choice Board strategy. I have been considering this over the past few years to use as a reading incentive as well as to use in centers. Students could use digital boards in order to complete the assignments, and I could create digital boards using technology to share with students. 

http://www.edudemic.com/7-ways-to-hack-your-classroom/
http://reedgillespie.blogspot.com/2014/01/10-statements-debunking-using-of.html
https://rezzly.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/file/694571/411710_2015-nmc-horizon-report-k12-EN.pdf