LEARING STYLES UTILIZE YOUR POTENTIAL about learning styles

LEARING STYLES – UTILIZE YOUR POTENTIAL about learning styles and how to use yourself in the most efficient way Net. Dansk

WHAT IS LEARING STYLES? Learning styles are the way in which each individual learner begins to concentrate on, process, absorb, and retain new and difficult information. Learning styles, thus, are the most important tool for us when we construct knowledge. Most people haven’t got the faintest idea about their learning styles profile, and people are often somewhat embarrassed about the way they actually act when studying: They don’t find it in keeping with “good student behavior”. The right way of studying, however, does not exist. Everybody learns in his individual way, but without knowing this way, i. e. without knowing your preferences, you can’t learn efficiently – sometimes you can’t learn at all.

WHAT IS LEARING STYLES? There are quite a few learning styles concepts. We have chosen a theory developed by Rita and Ken Dunn and a test developed by Rita Dunn and Susan Rundle. This test, Building Excellence, offers you your learning styles profile, an array of strategies and pieces of good advice that can help you learn efficiently. In the following presentation, the individual parts of the tests will be presented in order for you to understand the scope and the aims of the concept.

DON’T FORGET There are no good and no bad learning styles. All profiles are totally equal. Your profile is relatively stabile – thus, it is not going to change radically, and should changes occur, it will be in cycles of 2 -3 years. Net. Dansk is organized according to learning styles. The exercises exploit the various sensoric modalities – if possible. And besides that, you must exploit the knowledge the test has imparted to you. Use the feedback you get after you have taken the Building. Excellence test.

BUILDING EXCELLENCE…The Learning Individual® Self-Awareness — “Know Thyself” If learning is fundamental to everything we do, then understanding one’s unique learning style is fundamental to learning.

Ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the center of intelligence and emotion. They also thought so little of the brain that during mummification, they removed the brain entirely from bodies.

The Building Excellence (BE) Survey The BE Survey is an online learning & productivity style assessment tool (copyright ‘ 96, ‘ 98, ‘ 99, ‘ 00 R. Dunn & S. Rundle). BE identifies twenty-one critical variables that can promote or obstruct learning, including the efficacy with which individuals concentrate on, process, internalize, and retain new and complex information.

Learning and Productivity Style Profile Report The BE Survey generates a personalized Learning and Productivity Style (LPS) Profile report, which includes: A one-page summary; Narrative descriptions of one’s preferences; Recommended strategies; and A personal development plan to help people create individualized learning solutions.

Interpreting the LPS One-Page Profile 0 SLIGHT MODERATE STRONG A nonessential element that does not usually require special attention. A nonessential element that, for the most part, does not affect the individual. An essential element that requires attention MUCH of the time. An essential element that requires attention ALL of the time.

Interpreting the LPS One-Page Profile LEAST LESS DEFINITELY NOT the most effective modality for retaining new and difficult material.

Perceptual Elements Auditory Learners Remember best when they LISTEN to a lecture, a presentation, or an audiotape. Visual Picture Learners Visual Text Learners Tactile and/or Kinesthetic Learners Remember best when they SEE (create) mental images of what they hear or read. Remember best when they READ the written word (textbooks, memos, and e-mail messages). Remember best by DOING rather than sitting and listening, reading, or thinking about the information. Verbal Learners Remember best when they DISCUSS with others the new and complex information they are learning.

Perceptual Elements - Example Least Less Auditory Less Slight 0 Slight Strong More Auditory Less Visual Picture Less Visual Text Moderate More Visual Picture Moderate More Visual Text Slight Less Tactile and/or Kinesthetic More Tactile Moderate and/or Kinesthetic More Verbal Less Verbal (Internal Kinesthetic) Strong (Internal Kinesthetic)

Analytic / Global ANALYTICS… …assimilate and process information best when it is presented sequentially and the information builds toward a conceptual understanding. GLOBALS… …assimilate and process information best when humor and metaphors are used and they need to understand the concept before the details make sense.

Analytic / Global INTEGRATED PROCESSORS… … use both the Analytic and Global dimensions interchangeably. Persons with this preference often take on the role of an interpreter because they can easily translate what the Analytics and Globals are saying.

Reflective / Impulsive Reflective learners take time to weigh their options before making decisions and solving problems. Impulsive learners prefer less detail when making decisions and solving problems. When taken to the extreme, this approach leads to analysis paralysis! When taken to the extreme, impulsive people want others to be brief, be bright, and be gone!

Psychological Elements - Example Strong Analytic Moderate Integrated Strong Moderate Strong Reflective Moderate Strong Moderate Global Slight 0 Slight Moderate Strong Impulsive

“I used to be indecisive but now I’m not so sure. ” Boscoe Pertwee 18 th century writer

Environmental Elements Sound Light Temperature Seating Do you concentrate best with sound in the background or a in quiet environment? Do you study or work best when the lights are bright or softly illuminated and indirect? Do you concentrate and stay focused longer when the temperature is warmer or cooler? Do you concentrate best when sitting at a desk with a straightbacked chair or more informal seating?

Environmental Elements - Example Strong Moderate Slight 0 Slight Moderate Strong Quiet Strong Sound Low Light Strong Bright Light Warm Temperature Informal Seating Cool Temperature Moderate 0 Formal Seating

Physiological Elements Time of Day Intake Mobility At what time of day are you most effective and efficient: Do you focus your attention best when you snack while you work or study or snack after you are finished? When you stay in one place for too long, do you become restless and fidgety? Early Morning? Late Morning/ Early Afternoon? Late Afternoon? Evening?

Physiological Elements - Example 0 Slight Moderate Early Morning Strong Late Morning/ Early Afternoon Slight Late Afternoon Slight Moderate Evening Moderate Strong Less Intake Less Mobility Strong Moderate Slight 0 Slight Moderate Strong More Intake Strong Moderate More Mobility

“I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts. ” Albert Einstein 1879 -1955

Emotional Elements Motivation Persistence Conformity Structure Positive feedback from others (externally motivated) Do you prefer completing one task before beginning another? Do you prefer to do things the way you think they should be done? Do you like others to provide procedures for you to follow? Do you prefer to work on several tasks at the same time? Do you prefer to do things the way others think they should be done? Do you prefer to create your own procedures? Positive feedback from yourself (internally motivated)

Emotional Elements - Example Strong Moderate Slight Internally Motivated Multiple Task Persistence 0 Slight Moderate Strong Externally Motivated Single Task Persistence Strong Less Conforming Less Structure 0 Slight Moderate More Conforming More Structure

Sociological Elements Team Interaction Authority Variety Are you more productive when you work alone or with one other person, in a small group of 3 people, or in a large team? Do you work well with a person who is an expert in his field? Do you prefer routine work using proven methods? Are you less effective when someone is looking over your shoulder when you work or study? Do you become bored when you have to do the same thing over and over?

Sociological Elements - Example 0 Slight Moderate Alone/Pairs Strong Small Group Team Strong Moderate Slight Moderate Strong Moderate Slight 0 Slight Moderate Strong Less Authority 0 More Authority Less Variety 0 More Variety

LEARNING STYLE: Your Brain Has A Mind of Its Own!