How to Use Qualitative Research to Enhance Diverse Learning Styles

Qualitative research can help teachers adapt for diverse learning styles.

Qualitative research uses open-ended questions to elicit feedback.The work of education professor Elliott Eisner focuses on six characteristics of qualitative research: a field-based focus, a person as the research tool, an interpretive character, expressive language, focus on details, and credibility based on insight. In education, qualitative data from students allows instructors to adapt teaching methods to suit their diverse learning styles -- auditory, visual or kinesthetic.

Instructions

1. Ask the students if they know their learning style. Use a simple survey tool to differentiate the students' preferred methods of obtaining information. The tool can include questions such as, "I prefer to view charts and graphs" or "I prefer to read text for statistics."

2. Collect student feedback about their perceptions of the learning effectiveness of lectures by the instructor, written resources, use of interactive media such as webcasts, use of smart boards and participation in hands-on experiences.

3. Compile qualitative research data and group the concepts that address similar attributes. Organize the concepts in rank order from most to least prevalent or important. Share the findings with the students and ask whether students agree with the degree of importance for various items.

4. Discuss with students changes in teaching methods to begin meeting students' preferred learning styles. Create an achievable plan and time line. For example, an instructor who has primarily used lectures can plan to add one hands-on class per month and incorporate computer-generated images such as charts and graphs or a Power Point presentation every two weeks.

5. Recognize that other factors such as gender, multicultural backgrounds, motivation and the tenor of the classroom have an impact on learning. The home environment also can affect learning and the kinds of responses students provide during qualitative research.

6. Integrate qualitative research with student engagement on an ongoing basis using simple student engagement surveys. The International Center for Leadership in Education recommends other strategies such as interpersonal relationship building to help students improve engagement and learning.

References

• Infed: Elliott W. Eisner, Connoisseurship, Criticism and the Art of Education
• 21st Century Scholar: The Classics Revisited: Elliott Eisner and a Methodology of Beauty
• University of South Dakota: What's Your Learning Style?
• "Journal for Civic Commitment"; Students Mentoring Faculty Who Mentor Students: A Service Learning Program at an Urban Community College; Richard Lumadue et al.; September 2010
• "Engineering Education: Journal of the Higher Education Academy Engineering Subject Centre"; Adapting to Student Learning Styles in a First Year Electrical/Electronic Engineering Degree Module; Caroline Lowery; 2009
• "Journal of Education Technology"; Choosing Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education Researchers; Marie Hoepfl; 1997

Resources

• Edutopia: Ten Steps to Better Student Engagement
• Eric Digests: Assessing Student Engagement Rates; Elaine Chapman; September 2003
• AngelaMaiers: 26 Keys to Student Engagement
• International Center for Leadership in Education: Student Engagement Teacher Handbook