Educ 8101Walden University

Holistic Approach to Learning

How Do You Learn?

SurveyLearning vs. Personality

Styles Test Unlock Your Learning Potential!    This test is to find out something about your preferred learning method. Research on the left/right brain differences and also on learning personality

differences suggest that each person has a preferred way to receive and communicate information. Choose the answer that best explains your

preference and mark the letter (V, R, A, or K). If only a single answer does not match your perception, please indicate the second or third choices.

 

1.    You are about to give directions to a person. She is staying in a hotel in town and wants to visit  your house. She has a rental car. Would you:

V. draw a map on paper? R. write down the directions (without a map? A. tell her the directions? K. collect her from the hotel in your car?   2.     You are staying in a hotel and have a rental car. You would like to visit a friend whose  address/location you do not

know. Would you like them to: V. draw you a map? R. write down the directions (without a map)? A. tell you directions? K. collect you from the hotel in their car?   3.     You have just received a copy of your itinerary for a world trip. This is of interest to your friend. Would you: A. call her immediately and tell her about it? R. Send her a copy of the printed itinerary? V. show her a map of the world?   4.    You are going to cook a dessert as a special treat for your family. Do you: K. cook something familiar without the need for instructions? V. thumb through a cookbook looking for ideas from the pictures? R. refer to a specific cookbook where there is a good recipe? A. ask for advise from others?   5.     A group of tourists has been assigned to you to find out about national parks. Would you: K. drive them to a national park? V. show them slides and photographs? R. give them a book on national parks? A. give them a talk on national parks?  

6.     You are about to purchase a new stereo. Other than the price, what would most influence your decision? A. a friend talking about it? K. listening to it? R. reading the details about it? V. its distinctive, upscale appearance?   7.     Recall a time in your life when you learned how to do something like playing a new board game. Try to avoid choosing a very physical skill, i.e. riding a bike. How did you learn best?  By: V. visual clues-pictures, diagrams, charts? R. written instructions? A. listening to somebody explain it? K. doing it?   8.    Which of these games do you prefer? A. Pictionary?                                  R. Scrabble?                                          K. Charades?   9.     You are about to learn how to use a new program on a computer. Would you: K. ask a friend to show you? R. read the manual which comes with the program? A. telephone a friend and ask questions about it?   10.     You are not sure whether a word should be spelled "dependent" or "dependant". Do you: R. look it up in a dictionary? V. see the word in your mind and choose the best way it looks? A. sound it out? K. write both versions down?   11.     Apart from price, what would most influence your decision to buy a particular textbook? K. using a friends copy? R. skimming parts of it? A. a friend talking about it? V. it looks OK?   12.    A new movie has arrived in town. What would most influence your decision to go or not go? A. friends talking about it? R. you read a review about it? V. You saw a preview of it?   13.     Do you prefer a lecturer/teacher who likes to use: R. handouts and/or a textbook? V. flow diagrams, charts, slides? K. field trips. labs, practical sessions? A. discussion, guest speakers?

What do we mean, when we say holistic? Interrelated phases that work together hand

in hand at which knowledge is created through a transformation of experiences. Holistic learning involves the experience, perception, cognition and behavior, which allows a learner to evolve and experience various learning phases. During these phases the learner is doing, feeling, observing, thinking and planning; using concrete and abstract objects in the world.

David Kolb’s theory of holistic vs. definition

Definition- incorporating the concept of holism in theory or practice: holistic psychology. 2. identifying with principles of holism in a system of therapeutics, esp. one considered outside the mainstream of scientific medicine, as naturopathy or chiropractic, and usually involving nutritional measures.

Theory- Adult experiential learning process is a cycle composed of four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. It is necessary to go through all of the phases of the learning cycle; if not, learning is blocked and one cannot reach the next stage of development.

Stages of LearningConcrete Experience

(Experiences grasped through tangible, felt qualities; immediate experience)

Learning Mode: Emotional Complexity Results in higher-order sentiments

Learning Style: Assimilating Systematic planning Creation of models and theories Inductive reasoning

Abstract Conceptualization(Conceptual comprehension, symbolic representation,

deductive thinking and logical analysis)

Learning Mode: Symbolic Complexity Results in higher-order concepts

Learning Style: Converging Gather new information abstractly and

process it Problem solvers, decision makers Test new ideas

Reflective Observation(Viewing from a different perspective searching for

meaning through manipulation of external world)

Learning Mode: Perceptual Complexity Results in higher-order observations

Learning Style: Diverging Imaginative Creative Understand and tune into others

Active Experimentation(Continuum of taking risk or manipulating people

and events)

Learning Mode: Behavioral Complexity Results in higher-order actions

Learning Style: Accommodating Get involved in new experiences Carry out plans and task Take on leadership roles/risk takers

Holistic influenced by Hindu beliefs

Cognition and spirituality infused together to create a person that learns how to appreciate the knowledge that one develops when they are seeking unification (Merriam et al., 2007).

Self discovery, development of cognitive skills, empowerment, and true enlightenment allows the learner to develop into a cognizant being that experiences through expression and active experimentation; embracing a cycle of spirituality and learning.

Holistic influenced by Confucianism

Confucian learning encourages the learner to imitate the virtues of others. Some of the virtues taught are: learning through experience, commitment, continuous learning, controlling one’s behavior, spiritual development, and peer learning (Merriam et al., 2007).

Holistic approach allows the student to develop through the various stages into a person that learns to respect and understand themselves through their learning experiences.

Pros and Cons of Holistic Learning

Pros Cons Learners given the

opportunity to reflect on situations

Grow autonomous thinkers Encourage transformation Provide practical application Allow to observe and collect

information Develop self and spirituality Development of

understanding Development through

interactions Fulfill potential of person

No real clarification about reflective process

Limits learner to depend on prior experiences, rather than create new ones

Pros and Cons of Individualism

Pros Cons Learner has devised plan to

acquire knowledge- work alone

Specific planning- individual benefits from work

Purpose for gaining knowledge- teacher provide info., assistance, criticism, and feedback

Teacher transfer knowledge to students

Immediate access to materials

Reflection period might not assist in guiding future experiences

Student does not learn to discover for themselves

Others do not benefit from knowledge learned- no sharing with community

Promotes individualistic thinking

Carl Rogers…How does his theory connect?

Rogers’ Learning Theory

Personal involvement- cognition involved in the event

Self-initiated- sense of discovery accomplished

Pervasive- learning makes a difference

Evaluated by learner- learner determines if their needs are met

Essence is meaning- learning becomes incorporated in the experience

Connection The learner actively takes

experiences from various situations and use them to give meaning to future experiences. These experiences require the learner to reflect and observe materials from the outside world, while manipulating through cognitive thought. The learner eventually transforms into a person that is autonomous and self-directed.

Donald Schon…How does his theory connect?

Schon’s Learning Theory

Reflective practioners Reflection -in- action Be flexible and incorporate

life experiences Learners draw upon their

experiences and images Experiences draw upon

certain routines Transition from experience

Connection The reflective component

allows the learner to acquire knowledge through reflection, recalling those experiences and actively drawing upon the routine connected to that response. Learners are given the opportunity to utilize reflection /observation component and active experimentation to assist in the transition.

Where are you with your learning? Take a self inventory of how you teach

What it is you want your learners to receive? Do you address all of your students learning needs? Are

they given the opportunity to explore with the benefit of venturing through the learning phases mentioned in Kolb’s experiential, holistic learning approach?

The main point is to get students to the point where they become reflective learners who utilize experiences to their advantage and grow from the interaction.

Ask yourself again, where are you with your

learning?

ConclusionHow can we apply his approach to what we do?Make an IEP for each student, even though they

are not under the Special Education umbrella, they can benefit from the efficiency that holistic learning has to offer.

Choose a learning style for each student and devise a plan

Ensure that the plan addresses the whole studentRe-evaluate the plan if it does not work for the

student

Evaluation

Please take the time to complete the Learning Evaluation.

References

Merriam, S., Caffarella, R., Baumgartner, L. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.

Individualistic learning-http://ehlt.flinders.edu.au/education/DLiT/2002/environs/scott/indilern.htm

Online Dictionary- http://dictionary.reference.com/Turesky, L. F. (2005). David Kolb’s experiential learning

model and career development. Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, vol. 21, 1, pp.58-66.