Learning Styles: Learning Styles Introduction Types of style Learning tips


Introduction to learning styles: Introduction to learning styles A complex field of research, proliferating since Honey and Mumford in 1982 Findings adopted by many large organisations Common finding that learning patterns are not well suited to actual range of preferred learning styles Wide range of models to characterise learning styles


Range of models include:: Range of models include: Honey and Mumford (1982) distinguished between four preferred learning styles: Activist Reflector Theorist Pragmatist


Honey and Mumford model (1.1): Honey and Mumford model (1.1) Activists learn best from activities in which there are: New experiences and challenges Short ‘here and now’ tasks including teamwork and problem-solving Excitement, change and variety ‘High visibility’ tasks such as leading discussions


Honey and Mumford model (1.2): Honey and Mumford model (1.2) Reflectors learn best from activities where they: Are allowed or encouraged to watch/think/ponder on activities Have time to think before acting Can carry out careful, detailed research Have time to review their learning Don’t have pressure and tight deadlines


Honey and Mumford model (1.3): Honey and Mumford model (1.3) Theorists learn best from activities where: What is offered is part of a system, model, concept or theory They can explore the interrelationships between ideas, events and situations They are asked to analyse and evaluate, then generalise They can question basic assumptions or logic


Honey and Mumford model (1.4): Honey and Mumford model (1.4) Pragmatists learn best from activities if: There’s an obvious link between the subject matter and a ‘real life’ problem They are shown techniques for doing things with practical advantages They see a model they can emulate, or can concentrate on practical issues They are given immediate opportunities to implement what they have learned


Range of models (2): Range of models (2) Pask (1988) distinguished between: Holist learners, who prefer to form a global view of what is learned and make relations between its parts Serialist learners, who prefer to take a step-by-step approach


Range of models : Range of models Broader distinction made between: Visual/holist learners Verbal-sequential learners


Range of models: Range of models Common distinction between: Visual learners, who prefer to learn through seeing Auditory learners, who prefer to learn through hearing Kinaesthetic learners, who prefer to learn through ‘hands on’ physical activity


Tips for visual learners: Tips for visual learners Use visual materials such as pictures, charts and maps Use colour coding and highlighting Look carefully at headings/patterns of topics; take notes and use handouts Brainstorm using illustrations, mind maps; skim read to get an overview Visualise information in picture form


Tips for auditory learners: Tips for auditory learners Participate frequently in discussions nd debates Make speeches and presentations Use a tape recorder as well as notes Read text aloud Create musical jingles to aid memory Speak to a tape and listen to yourself expressing ideas


Tactile/kinaesthetic learners: Tactile/kinaesthetic learners Take frequent study breaks Move around to learn new things (e.g. read while on exercise bike; model clay to learn a new concept) Stand up to work Use bright colours and turn reading material into posters/models Skim read before reading in detail


Finally…: Finally… Remember that we’re all different – you don’t have to fit one mould If you’re not learning well, or bored by learning, try out new strategies that suit you better The more types of learning activity you engage in, the more you’re likely to cover your preferred styles