Learning Style Profile

Tamara Brinckman
The University of Kansas

Test Purpose
Much thought has been given to the concept of individual learners preferences and learning styles in todays culture. Learning styles have no bearing on intelligence and should not be used as such, nor should they be used to determine right or wrong. However, we can evaluate the methods by which a person processes information. One such instrument is the Learning Style Profile, LSP, by James W. Keefe and John S. Monk, with the assistance of a national task force, and published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). According to the NASSP, Learning Styles are the characteristic cognitive, affective, and psychological behaviors that serve as relatively stable indicators of how learners perceive, interact with, and respond to the environment. (Keefe and Monk, 1986). In other words, how people absorb, process, and retain information.

Learning Style Profile Identification

Learning Style Profile identifies four major factors:

Cognitive Skills Perceptual Responses Study Preferences Instructional Preferences

In all, 23 sub-scales are reflected: Cognitive 1-Analytical Skill 2-Spatial Skill 3-Discrimination Skill 4-Categorizing Skill 5-Sequential Processing Skill 6-Memory Skill 7-Persistence Orientation Skill 8-Verbal Risk Skill Perceptual Response 9-Visual Perception Response 10- Auditory Perceptual Response 11-Emotive Perceptual Response Study Preferences and Instructional Preferences

The purpose of the Learning Style Profile: -Diagnosis of cognitive styles, perceptual response tendencies, instructional preferences. -Used to focus on the learning of individual students, on classroom group, or the whole population of the school. -Emphasizes that students learn best through their strongest preference and are reinforced through secondary and tertiary strengths.

Test Details
The Learning Style Profile is a group administered, standardized test intended for use with secondary students (6-12 grades). It is a 42 page, 126 item assessment which is computer scored . A computer program generates individual profiles and group rosters. Teachers can use this information to plan instruction for students with similar preferences. Students with low scores on analytical skill and categorization will need some definite problem-solving instruction. Those with low scores on verbal risk will do better in smaller groups where they feel less intimidated in expressing themselves. Teachers are encouraged to teach to students strengths. They are able to plan instruction for students with similar preferences. According to Keefe, gets educators thinking about diversifying teaching strategies. It can help explain student behavior and provide a little insight into how to help them achieve.

12-Verbal-Spatial Preferences 13-Manipulative Preferences 14-Early Morning Study Time Preference 15-Late Morning Study Time Preference 16-Afternoon Study Time Preference 17-Evening Study Time Preference 18-Grouping Preference 19-Posture Preference 20-Mobility Preference 21-Sound Preference 22-Lighting Preference 23-Temperature Preference

Conclusion
The Learning Style Profile is well validated and easy-to-use. When studying the results of learning style instruments such as LSP, although inconsistencies may exist, they are useful in assessing learning styles. It is used as a tool to gain insight into a persons learning styles or preferences, and thereby how they learn and teach.

References
Debello, T.C. 1990 Comparison of Eleven Major Learning Styles Models: Variables, Appropriate Populations, Validity of Instrumentation, and the Research Behind Them. Journal of Reading, Writing, and Learning Disabilities, 6: 203-222 Bohlen, Deborah L. The Forgotten Customer-Institute for Court Management Court Executive Development Program Phase III May 2000 Ericae.net-Clearinghouse on Assessment and Evaluation ERIC Documents Citations and Abstracts for Cognitive or Learning Styles (General) Several entries or articles such as ED342099 EA023702 Learning Styles: Putting Research and Common Sense into PracticeAmerican Association of School Administrators Taylor and Francis Online Learning Styles: An Overview of Theories, Models, and Measures Educational Psychology Vol 24, Issue 4, 2004 Simon Cassidy An account of the central themes and issues surrounding learning style and to consider the instruments available for the measurement of style.