Types of Content and Learning Styles in Education
Types of Content
There are three types of content: factual content and concepts, procedural content, and content related to attitudes, values, and norms. In other words, when we consider what content we teach, we must always consider facts, concepts, procedures, attitudes, values, and norms. This holistic approach requires that students not only know (facts and concepts) but also know how to do (procedures) and how to be (attitudes).
Facts and Concepts
Facts and concepts help us understand a set of conceptual objects, events, or symbols that share common characteristics and describe the relationships between them. When formulating content related to concepts and facts, we must consider the learners and the teaching-learning process, focusing on what they need to know.
Procedures
Procedures are a set of ordered actions aimed at achieving a certain goal. When formulating procedural content, we must consider the learners and the teaching-learning process, focusing on what they need to know how to do.
Attitudes, Values, and Norms
Attitudes, values, and norms are interrelated and directly reference the social context, including correct forms of behavior, predispositions relating to the environment, and ideas. When formulating content related to attitudes, we must consider the learners and the teaching-learning process, focusing on how they will be.
These three types of content are essential because a person needs to develop abilities related to knowledge, skills, and being. Factual and conceptual content is related to knowledge, procedural knowledge to skills, and attitudes to being.
Learning Styles
Alonso *et al.* (1994) define learning styles as the characteristics of cognitive, emotional, and physiological indicators that serve as relatively stable indicators of how students perceive, interact with, and respond to their learning environment. There are four main learning styles:
- Active
- Reflective
- Theoretical
- Pragmatic
Active Learners
People with a predominantly active style are fully involved and open-minded in new experiences. They are not skeptical and start new tasks with enthusiasm. They tend to be involved in the affairs of others and are central to the activities around them.
Theoretical Learners
Theorists adapt and integrate observations into a complex theoretical framework. They tend to be perfectionists and like to integrate facts into consistent theories. They enjoy analyzing and summarizing, and they are deep in their system of thought when establishing principles, theories, and models.
Reflective Learners
Reflective learners like to consider experiences and observe them from different perspectives. They compile data and analyze it carefully before reaching a conclusion. They consider all possible alternatives before making a move. They enjoy watching the behavior of others, listening, and mastering the situation before taking action.
Pragmatic Learners
The strength of people with a predominantly pragmatic style is the practical application of ideas. They look for the positive aspects of every new idea and take the first opportunity to experiment with them. They like to act quickly and confidently with ideas and projects that attract them.