More about learning and styles of learning -
Learning
Learn to do - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js8uzcYh_sY (good intro to learning)
Principles of Learning – review - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmO7WLxWWFE&feature=related (very good as a supplement to the section on learning theories as lecture is good)
Learning Styles –
From the process of learning some educationalists tried to identify the ways in which different people learn. These they called learning styles of people. Honey and Mumford (1982-cited Dennison, 1990:24)) identified these as activists, reflectors, theorists and pragmatists.
Activists
Individuals who use this learning style involve themselves in the new experience without any bias. These people are open-minded and happy to face the challenge of the new experience. As they are not skeptical, they tend to be enthusiastic about new concepts. Their outlook is open and believe in trying anything once. They throw themselves wholeheartedly into the new experience and revel in short term crisis. They generally tackle any problem by brainstorming. They move on from one activity once the excitement has died out and so they are easily bored if involved with long term work. They tend to be extroverts and are constantly involving themselves with others, often being the center of all activities.
Reflectors
These individuals like to stand back and contemplate about the new experience from different angles. They will gather all relevant information and reflect over it before reaching any decision, which means they delay definitive conclusion for as long as possible. They are cautious and so leave no stone unturned. They are thoughtful, preferring to weigh the pros and cons of any issue before reaching any conclusion. This means they generally take a back seat in any discussion and spend time in observing others and listening to them. Though they adopt a low profile, they will take into account the past, present and give importance to everybody's views, when they act.
Theorists
Individuals using this style will adapt and integrate their observation into complex yet logically sound theories. They do so by using logic and working through a problem step by step. They can assimilate different facts into understandable theories by analysing and synthesising the information. They are perfectionists with a philosophy of rationality and logic underpinning all their actions. They will be detached, analytical, objective and dedicated, which makes them keen about basic assumption, principles, theories, models and systems thinking. They will reject anything that does not fit into their logical outlook. This makes them uncomfortable when dealing with subjective or ambiguous judgments and lateral thinking.
Pragmatists
These type of individuals like to try out new ideas to see if they will work in practice. They are keen to do this by actively searching out new ideas. They will attend courses and return full of enthusiasm to try out the new ideas. They will act quickly and confidently on ideas that are attractive to them. The tendency is to get on with things, which makes them impatient with long-winded discussions. They are practical people who enjoy the challenge of problem solving and decision making.
The individual learning styles which emerge from the Kolb's learning process are diverger, assimilator, converger and accommodater.
Diverger
These individuals learn by observing and doing. They have the ability to view the concrete situation in a number of different ways. They perform well in situations which require brainstorming. They are people with broad interests and enjoy dealing with people. Thus their strength lies in their imaginative ability, which enables them to see different perspectives and develop new ideas.
Assimilators
These individuals are logical and use reasoning to create sound theories, but they are not concerned about its practicalities. They perform best when asked to analyse facts of abstract concepts to produce some explanations. Thus their strength is their ability to create theoretical models by assimilation of various observations. But they are not interested in the application of the theories they create. Thus they learn by observing and thinking.
Converger
These individuals focus their knowledge on specific problems by hypothetical reasoning. They use their thinking and planning abilities. These people give best performance when the problem has a single correct solution. Their technical interests are limited but they prefer to deal with things instead to people. Thus their strength lies in their ability to use the theories in conjunction with their powers of deduction to arrive at the correct solution.
Accommodator
These individuals learn by planning and doing. They are the risk takers but still have a practical approach to the problem solving process. They are highly adaptable to specific and immediate problems. If the theory does not fit the information they have it will be discarded. They are action orientated and so may be viewed by others as being pushy and impatient. Thus their strength lies in their ability to do things, carry out plans and involve themselves in new experiences.
Generally individuals in this category are innovators to some extent.
Honey’s & Mumford’s classification provides a tool for teaching, it offers further information which can influence approaches to learning and teaching Comparison of the two classifications of learning styles are comparable. The interpretation of these authors’ proposal on learning styles is that each type of learner, learning necessitates the involvement of psycho-motor skills, cognitive changes and environment which is suitable to the individual. Once the individuals’ perception and behaviour are modified by these experiences, within a learning situation, then learning usually proceeds by means of a combination of these elements.
Read ‘Understanding Your Learning Style’ which discusses the Learning Styles with Honey and Mumford’s being central to the discussion.
Now you can go to the following website and look at another questionnaire about learning style and find out your style of learning -
Some resources from Youtube on learning styles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I39LPOYfE5c&NR=1 (good intro)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlyx6JGc4Z4&NR=1 (set of power point slides as a clip)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX0teReijUk&feature=related (good explanation of VARK and strategies to learn in relation to each style.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2stVs4mjbsU&feature=related (movie about multiple intelligence – visual of what each type is)
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