The past couple weeks have been filled with lots of conversation around education. I’ve been grateful for the opportunity to speak to a variety of people from administrators to educational consultants and school board members as well as tour revolutionary learning facilities closer to a science museum than a classroom. These interactions have been thought provoking, particularly around learning style models and how the existing infrastructure is adapting to better reflect proven science.
In a previous piece titled “Learning Styles and Personality Assessments. Why?”, I discovered the vast majority of research into this topic was published during the 1980’s. The next obvious question is why?
A World on Fire
We’ll begin with the classic Billy Joel hit “We Didn’t Start the Fire” which debuted in 1989. The song outlines the significant world events that took place during 1949, when Joel was born, and 1989. If you haven’t heard the song, stop reading and go listen to it. Then, read this excellent synopsis of all the events he highlights. Of those 118 events, only 11 took place from 1980-1989, one of which was the first episode of Wheel of Fortune, another was the Rock n’ Roller Cola Wars between Coke and Pepsi.
Clearly, when the 1980’s came, the world was tired of the post-WWII chaos and sought stability. It was a major reason why Ronald Reagan won convincingly over the incumbent Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election. Despite the chaotic surroundings, there were many exciting developments which occurred in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s on the education front. Lab schools, professional education for teachers, multigrade classrooms, and open-concept school floorplans were all introduced during this time.
A Nation at Risk
If these ideas still sound new and revolutionary today, you’re correct. In no small part, this is due to a divisive, groundbreaking government report titled A Nation at Risk released in 1983. In summary, the report criticized the state of public education in the United States citing declining test scores, loose college admissions policies, lack of technical and vocational education, and underpaid and underprepared teachers.
Again, all too familiar issues. It further recommended increased standardized testing, extended school hours, and raised admissions standards for universities. In subsequent decades, further initiatives and standards such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, No Child Left Behind, and Common Core were formed in the mold of this report.
Learning Style Models – Piggybacking A Nation at Risk
All this context explains why the 4MAT Model, Kolb Learning Style Inventory, VAKR Theory, Honey and Mumford Learning Styles, and Gregorc Mind Styles came about during the 1980’s as opposed to other times; the cultural, structural, and technological factors aligned. Education in the United States required an overhaul for the nation to remain a world power, now the government had hard data to prove it, and an administration and population willing to change. When this triage is present, any effort in alignment with the cause is lauded and rapidly implemented.
Learning Style Models – A Lesson in Change
Depending on the level at which the change is implemented, it can take years, even decades to unravel those changes. As alluded to previously, the A Nation at Risk report set the stage for decades of thematic educational overhaul. Coincidentally, though I would argue not, forty years after this report was published we find the United States in a very similar place. As I’ve learned recently, there is increasing quantitative and qualitative evidence suggesting the current educational models are suboptimal, and more effective methods are ripe for mass adoption.
However, as we’ve also learned, methods, or technological factors, are just one component to insinuate change. There also needs to be sweeping cultural and structural support. To my original story, the proven science supporting updated educational models exists, but is there enough support from those higher up and lower down? Is updating our educational models critical enough in comparison to other significant world events?
A Coming Era of Change?
I’ll leave you to ponder those answers, and also what other significant changes followed and could follow this same pattern. I truly believe we’re on the cusp of an era of great change, not just in education. The reasons why are numerous, but to name a few:
Closure of a Significant World-Changing Event – COVID-19.
Generation Shift – Baby Boomers and Generation X workforce aging out.
Rapid Technological Advancement and Adoption – AI, digitization, videoconferencing, e.g.
Only time will tell if these pan out like they did in 1989. Though if history has taught us one thing, it’s regardless of fashion, technology, or time, the same stories appear.
Be More.
Become Polymathic.
Quote of the Week: “History Doesn’t Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes” – Mark Twain.