Learning styles and CEs
By Michelle Yungblut

Webinar, seminar, teleseminar, on-site class — today's chiropractor has a multitude of choices when it comes to selecting continuing education programs.

With distance education technologies progressing at a rapid rate and state boards accepting alternative methods of delivery, you can choose from hundreds of classes. But before you sign up for an online class or teleseminar, do your homework. Researching the content and delivery method is useful, but knowing your learning style will help you select the class delivery method most effective for you.

To answer effectively which method is best for you, analyze your personal learning style to decipher what education environment will be successful for you. Recognizing and understanding your own learning style allows you to implement successful learning techniques.

A number of different types of learning-style inventories have been developed throughout the years, which help identify an individual's learning preferences:

• Visual (spatial): Pictures, graphics, and spatial understandings;
• Aural (auditory): Sound;
• Verbal (linguistic): Speech and writing;
• Physical (kinesthetic): Touching;
• Logical (mathematical): Logic, reasoning, and systems;
• Social (interpersonal): Collaboration with others; and
• Solitary (intrapersonal): Working alone.

Individuals do not necessarily have just one learning style, but rather a mix with one being more dominant. And, depending upon the situation, the dominant style may change.

Once you know your learning style, you can better evaluate which CE class format is conducive to your style. If your dominant learning style is social, verbal, or aural, a class with no interaction between you, the instructor, or fellow students may not be the best choice. Select one that allows you to share ideas or concepts with others via chat, telephone, or discussion boards.

If your style is solitary, you may want to avoid programs that force interaction with others through role-playing or group activities. For those with visual or physical as a dominant style, select a class that includes images, graphics, and exercises allowing you to practice your new skills. Animations or video showing a demonstration of the technique would also be advantageous.

Keep in mind that even if a format does not suit your style it does not mean you should avoid it. Knowing the learning environment in advance can better prepare you to avoid any conflicts with your learning style.

Even though the options for continuing education hours are lengthy and choosing a course has become more complicated with advancements in technology, taking the time to evaluate your learning style will better prepare you in selecting the right course.

Once you know your learning style, choose a class that blends well with your style. Additionally, you should query the organization offering the class about the presentation format to ensure the tools used suffice your expectations. The key is to do your homework both before and during the class!

Michelle Yungblut is director of continuing education for Parker College of Chiropractic where her responsibilities include developing educational opportunities for members of the chiropractic profession. For the last nine years, she has utilized her training in education and instructional technology to develop programs. She can be contacted at myungblut@parkercc.edu or 800-266-4723.

References:
Advandogy.com (2004). Overview of Learning Styles. Retrieved Nov. 16, 2006 from www.learning-styles-online.com.
Brightman, Harvey. Georgia State University Master Teacher Program: On Learning Styles. Retrieved Dec. 6, 2006 from www2.gsu.edu/~dschjb/wwwmbti.html.
Gibson, Chere (1998). Distance Learners in Higher Education. Madison, Wis: Atwood Publishing.
Sherry, L. (1996). Issues in Distance Learning. International Journal of Educational Telecommunications, 1 (4), 337 - 365.