Learning Styles Vs. The Teacher

We are all different in everything we do. The way we talk, walk, think, and act is special to each of us. Learning style is another category where we each differ. There seem to be as many learning styles as there are people on the planet. Now we, as educators, have to worry about appeasing each learner and their learning style.

I realize there have been studies about learning style theories for years, but this seems to be one more thing we need to worry about in an already over-worked field.

In the blog, http://victorhugor.blogspot.com/2009/05/learning-styles-theory-at-controversy.html, the author quotes Professor Susan Santo who discusses the controversy in regard to the various learning styles and the fact that there is not an overall theory of learning styles. Santo states, “A major mismatch between instructor style and learners' styles can lead to trouble..." 

It would be impossible to match each students learning style with the teaching style of a facilitator.  What happened to the student taking responsibility for their own learning? Teachers have enough pressure to perform and make sure the majority of their students pass. There aren't enough hours in the day for a teacher to cater to each individual student and make separate teaching plans for everyone.

"If a student does not seem to be learning, consider whether his/her learning style might be at odds with your teaching style. Remain flexible and be able to change planned learning activities if students are having trouble in a given area.”

 The above is a statement from Professor Santo. I think she would have been better off saying that teachers should introduce a variety of lessons that  would address the various forms of learning styles.  I understand that teachers need to remain flexible, but it seems to be asking a bit much to have them alter their lesson plans.