A Survey of Teacher-Student Style Mismatches

Abstract

An important aspect of the differences among students hasto do with their learning style. As with learning style, theconcept of teaching style is also important since a stylisticmismatch between teacher and student may determinehow well they get along, with important consequencesfor the learning process. This study is intended to findif there are serious teacher-student style mismatches incollege teaching. Four teachers and one hundred fiftysevencollege students are involved in this study. All ofthem are asked to complete the questionnaire designedby Juan Du (2003) to measure their teaching styles andlearning styles. Besides the questionnaire the presentauthor has designed an interview so as to get qualitativedata concerning the learning styles, the teaching stylesand mismatches between them.

Key words: Individual difference; Learning style;Teaching style