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The educational roleLearning stylesIt is useful for anyone in an educational role to give some thought to varying their teaching strategiesto accommodate different modes of learning.There is a difference of opinion amongst theorists about the value of identifying learning styles and targetingteaching to preferred learning styles. A model of one view of learning styles is given on page 42 for you to reviewand consider.A useful way of thinking about the different approaches to learning is that the way we learn varies from individualto individual and from task to task. For example, some people are likely to be better than others at learninginformation through observation and reflection, while others may be better at learning information through activeinvolvement. The same individual may prefer different modes of learning across different learning tasks.Another point to consider is that the practicalities of workplace learning mean that some information needsto be learned via a certain mode. For example, it would be difficult to become skilled in taking x-rays just by havingthe method explained verbally. Most people need to learn practical tasks by observing a demonstration of the taskand then doing it themselves, regardless of their preferred learning style.People generally prefer variety when learning. Even if a learner prefers to have information presented verbally,they are likely to reach a point of overload if the only mode of teaching is lecture style!Reflective practiceConsider your own past learning experiences. What learning opportunities or methods of deliveryhave you found most valuable?What generally doesn’t work for you?How can you use your own experiences as a learner to inform and improve your teaching practicesas a clinical supervisor?40 HETI The Superguide FIRST EDITION