Learning Styles

IntroductionTypes of styleLearning tips

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:

Honey and Mumford (1982) distinguished between four preferred learning styles:

ActivistReflectorTheoristPragmatist

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)

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)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)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)

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

Broader distinction made between:

Visual/holist learners Verbal-sequential learners

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 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 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 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… 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