LEARNING STYLES

Learning styles refer to a range of challenging and

contested theories that aim to account for differences in

individuals learning. These theories propose that all people can

be classified according to their ‘style’ of learning. Although the

various theories present differing views on how the styles

should be defined and categorized. A common concept is that

individuals differ in how they learn.

Learning styles are different ways of taking in and

understanding information. These ways are affected by age,

experience, physiology, culture, and may other factors.

SINCE EVERYONE LEARNS DIFFERENTLY,

UNDERSTANDING LEARNING STYLES. YOU WILL BECOME

AWARE OF HOW EACH PERSON’S BRAIN LEARNS BEST.

The way a person preface to learn is called his/ her “

Learning Style.”

There is no right or wrong, good or bad learning style.

A person’s learning style has nothing to do with intelligence

or skills.

VAK LEARNING STYLESONE TYPE OF LEARNING STYLE FRAME WORK DIVIDES LEARNING INTO THREE PREFERENCES: VISUAL, AUDITORY, AND KINESTHETIC, APTLY NAMED VAK

Visual Learners - learn by sight

Auditory Learners - learn by hearing

Tactile Learners( kinesthetic ) - learn by touch.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VISUAL LEARNERS

• Prefer to see information such as pictures, diagrams, cartoons,

and demonstrations.

• They picture words and concepts they hear as image.

• They are easily distracted in lecture with no visual aids.

• Overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied by lecture.

• Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash cards when

studying.

SUGGESTED LEARNING METHODS

Take lecture notes

Underline, highlight, or circle printed material

Borrow others’ notes, compare to own.

Draw pictures in notes to illustrate concepts.

Use a variety of colors – in pens, pencils, markers,

highlighters, paper, etc. for different categories or concepts.

Write it out!

Draw out ideas.

Work with many colors

Use outlines, pictures, graphs, charts, and diagrams.

CHARACTERISTICS OF AUDITORY LEARNERS

• Prefer to hear information spoken

•Can absorb a lecture with little effort

•May not need careful notes to learn

•Often avoid eye contact in order to concentrate.

•May read aloud to themselves

•Like background music when they study

SUGGESTED LEARNING METHODSStudy in groups and talk things out

Work out problems aloud

Record lectures, tutoring and study group sessions, etc.

Read texts out loud( into recorder).

Listen to lecture/ text tapes while driving, walking etc.

Dictate papers, to be typed later.

Read questions aloud

Use word association

TACTILE OR KINESTHETIC LEARNERS

•Prefer touch as their primary mode for taking in information.

•In traditional lecture situations. They should write out important

facts.

•Create study sheets connected to vivid examples

•Role- playing can help them learn and remember important ideas

SUGGESTED LEARNING METHODS

Trace letters of words with finger ( to memorize spelling, for example)

Use finger as a guide while reading material

Take, and type out or rewrite class notes.

Get hands- on in science or computer labs, for example- don’t just

watch someone else do it.

Write out everything

Use models- of the human brain, DNA, etc

Draw charts or diagrams of relationships.

DAVID KOLB’S MODELKolb’s model outlines two related approaches towards grasping experience:

Concrete Experience and Abstract Conceptualization, as well as two related

approaches toward transforming experience: Reflective observation and Active

experimentation. According to Kolb's model, the ideal learning process engages

all four of t observation to conceptualization to experimentation and back to

experience. In order for learning to be effective, all four of these approaches must

be incorporated. As individuals attempt to use all four approaches. However, they

may tend to develop strength in one experience- grasping approach and one

experience- transforming approach, leading them to prefer one of the following

four learning styles:

David A. Kolb ( With Roger Fry) Created His Famous Out Of Four Elements. i.e. Its is a Cycle of Experiencing, Reflecting, Generalizing and Applying

KOLB’S EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING MODEL

Concrete experience(Feeling)

Reflective observation(Watching)

Abstract Conceptualization

(Thinking)

Active experimentation

(Doing)

Kolb explained, ‘ learning is the process whereby

knowledge is created through the transformation of

experience.’ Thus we can define experimental

learning as “ the sense- making process of active

engagement between the inner world of the person

and the outer world of the environment.”

USING THIS KOLB AND FRY PROCEEDED TO IDENTIFY

FOUR BASIC LEARNING STYLES.

Here, each style is being ‘locked into’ one style.

Converges are characterized by abstract conceptualization

and active experimentation. They are good at making

practical applications of ideas and using deductive

reasoning to solve problems.

Diverges tend toward concrete experience and reflective observation. They are imaginative and are good at coming up with ideas and seeing things from different perspectives.

Assimilators are characterized by abstract conceptualization and

reflective observation. They are capable of creating theoretical

models by means of inductive reasoning.

Accommodators use concrete experience and active experimentation. They are good at actively engaging with the world and actually doing things instead of merely reading about and studying them.

TABLE 2.1KOLB AND FRY ON LEARNING STYLES

Learning Style Learning Characteristic Description

Converger Abstract Conceptualization +Active Experimentation

• Strong in practical application of ideas• can focus hypo deductive reasoning on specific problems.•Unemotional•Has narrow interests.

Diverger Concrete Experience+Reflective Observation

• strong in imaginative ability• good at generating ideas and seeing things from different perspectives•Interested in people.•Broad cultural interests

Assimilator Abstract Conceptualisation+Reflective Observation

• Strong ability to create theoretical models.

• Excels in inductive reasoning

• Concerned with abstract concepts rather than people.

Accommodator Concrete Experience+Active Experimentation

• greatest strength is doing things• more of a risk taker•Performs well when required to react to immediate circumstances.•Solves problems intuitively