Learning styles

Summative learning styles



Summative learning styles

Introduction

Learning styles are different ways of learning. They include educating methods, specific to an individual and allow the individual to learn best. Majority people prefer a known method of communicating with and processing information or stimuli. There are different models and theories that explain different learning styles. Kolb explains that numerous people naturally like a single learning style. There are various factors that are influencing an individual's preference of style. For example the social and educational experiences. Gregorc learning style explains that all learners have two preferences: perceptual and ordering. Honey and Mumford changed the stages and style of kolb's model. The Honey & Mumford Learning Styles is a self-development tool.

Discussion

Kolb's learning styles

David Kolb defined the models of learning. The model is based on two preferences dimensions and four styles of learning.

ACCOMODATORS

 

ConcreteExperience

 

DIVERGERS

 

 

^

Perception

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ActiveExperimentation

<------

---- Processing ----

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ReflectiveObservation

 

 

|

|

V

 

 

CONVERGERS

 

Abstract conceptualization

 

ASSIMILATORS

 

Preference dimensions

In perceptional dimension people have a preference between concrete experience and abstract conceptualization. Concrete learning is looking at things the way they are while Abstract conceptualization is looking at things as ideas or concepts.

Processing Dimensions

Processing dimensions deals with people taking the perception and processing it in their own way between reflective observation and active experimentation. Reflective observation is taking what is concluded and seeing if it works and active experimentation is taking what is concluded and actually trying it out.The four learning styles are described as follows

Divergers

Divergers think about a topic with different perspectives and try finding out different possibilities to interpret topics. They like to ask questions and then move to the big picture. They enjoy working with others and avoid conflicts.

Convergers:

They like to think of different situations and then to analyze their applications. They prefer working individually and independently.

Accomodators:

Accomodators like to take actions instead of thinking. They prefer being creative and to think out of the box. They like experiencing new things.

Assimilators

They have the most cognitive approach and prefer to think than to act. They try learning from conversations and take a thoughtful and logical approach.

Peter Honey and Alan Mumford

Through the research work of Kolb, Peter Honey and Alan Mumford developed the learning styles. There were four main different learning styles, which they identified, theorist, activist, pragmatist and reflector. These learning approaches are preferred naturally by an individual. Each learner should identify and understand their own learning style utilize that style to increase one's own learning. Honey and Mumford developed a questionnaire that allowed an individual to understand their own learning style.

Characteristics

ACTIVISTS:

Activists are those people whose learning depends upon their experiences. They need to experience things first hand in order to boost their learning. Their activities include brainstorming and the like puzzles and competitions. They cannot be biased and they have to analyze everything open mindedly. When they lose interest in a certain topic they start searching for something more that can excite them. They like to be a part of meetings, discussions and role playing activities. They don't like thinking, reading or writing on their own.

Theorist:

These are the conceptual people that try finding out the relevant theories ...