June 3, 2025

How to Prioritize Learning Strategies Not Preferences (John Hattie)

In this latest episode of the Have a Life Teaching Podcast, we chat with education researcher John Hattie - professor at the University of Melbourne.

 

We discuss, despite evidence suggesting it is ineffective, the continued prevalence of the theory of learning styles and preferences and targeting instruction for individual students towards a specific approach such as visual, auditory, verbal, and/or kinesthetic learning.

 

Rather, Hattie suggests that we think in terms of using a variety of learning strategies that evidence suggests are high impact strategies for improving student knowledge and retention of learning:

 

- Organizational strategies

- Learning consolidation techniques

- Exposed student thinking practices

 

We also discuss specific techniques for helping teachers to design lessons that engage students in each of these best learning practices.

 

The Hattie Family Foundation Website

Learning Styles, Preferences, Learning Strategies Article

Corwin Visible Learning Website

Visible Learning: The Sequel Book

10 Mind Frames for Visible Learning Book

 

Music by Aylex