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In conclusion, knowing whether or not your learner is a detail-orientated or
a whole picture learner can be useful when determining how you
should present new information to her. Since detail-orientated learners like
a deductive approach, you may want to spend more time working on "rules"
before practicing how that rule is applied. On the other hand, whole picture learners
like to look at things more holistically. You do not have to pre-teach these
learners rules. You can let them discover rules for themselves.
Keep in mind, some learners might be both detail-orientated and
whole picture learners. These are at either ends of the
continuum in much the
same way as the labels "introvert" and "extrovert." Just as
you may be both introverted in some situations and more extroverted in others,
so too will learners be detail-orientated when doing some tasks but have
a whole picture orientation when engaged in other types of tasks. The learner
needs to learn when to use each orientation. The tutor needs to understand
the learner's preferred style and help the learner become more flexible.
Some academic research shows a connection between learning style
and culture.
For example, findings show that Hispanic, African and
Native American students are less detailorientated than the average
Caucasian student.
Research also indicates that while it can be beneficial
to know the relationship between culture and learning styles, there
are considerable differences between learners with the same cultural
background.
Some researchers believe that we should pay more attention
to the strengths the individual learner shows than to the generalizations
researchers have found within their culture. 5
5 Al Heredia (October 1999.) Cultural Learning Styles. ERIC
Clearinghouse on Teaching and Teacher Education [on-line], Available: ericcass.uncg.edu/virtuallib/diversity/1036.html
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