The Dunn and Dunn Model
The Dunn and Dunn Model has a great deal of history and research behind it. It was developed by Dr. Rita Dunn in 1967 and since that time research has been conducted at more than 90 institutions of highter education. The model traces its roots to two distinct learning theories: Cognitive Style Theory and Brain Lateralization Theory.
Cognitive Style Theory is bases on the idea that individuals process information differently on the basis of either learned or inherent traits. Brain Lateralization Theory is based on the idea that the two hemispheres of the brain have different functions: left brain=verbal-squential abilities and right brain=emotions-spacial holistic processing.
The model incorporates certain premises.
- Everyone has strengths, but different people have different strengths.
- Most individuals can learn.
- Instructional environments, resources, and approaches respond to diversified strengths.
- Individual instructional preferences exist and can be measured reliably.
- Given responsive environments, students attain statistically higher achievement and aptitude test scores in matched, rather than mismatched treatments.
- Most teachers can learn to use learning styles as a cornerstone of their instruction.
- Many students can learn to capitalize on their learning style strengths.
Definition
"Learning Style is the way in which each learner begins to concentrate on, process, and retain new and difficult information."(Dunn)
"...a biologically and developmentally imposed set of personal characteristics that make the same teaching method effective for some students and ineffective for others,..." (Dunn, Beaudry, and Klavas, 1989)
Learning Styles Homepage
The Basics