Why then does the learning styles myth survive despite the evidence and experts’ red-faced arguments? Because like all neuromyths, it tells us something we want to believe.

The classic music myth gives worried parents a sense of control. The 10-percent myth tells us we’re secretly super-ge...

A prevalent neuromyth is that of “learning styles.”

According to this belief, people can be classified by how they learn best and should concentrate their educational efforts in that mode. If someone is an auditory learner, the idea goes, she’ll master a subject or skill faster and more ef...

There is a grain of truth to the myth. Namely, people do differ in their abilities and preferences. The VARK learning model, for example, classifies people as either visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic (hands-on) learners. Each method is part of the learning process...

Recent studies found no supporting evidence that learning was enhanced by a slavish dedication to a student’s learning style

In fact, despite broad acceptance, studies continued to show no benefit to a learning-style approach. As 

People prefer brain-based accounts of behaviour, and they like to categorize people into types. Learning styles allow people to do both of those things.

It may also tie into common misconceptions of success.

Success is complicated. It requires the right mixture of education, resources...