Learning Styles Honey and Mumford based on the

Learning Styles Honey and Mumford – based on the work of Kolb

Activists • “here and now” gregarious, seek challenge and immediate experience, open minded, bored with implementation!

Activists Learn best: • new experiences, problem solving, challenge and change • Work in teams, role playing, puzzles, competitions, brainstorming, chairing/leading Learn less well: • lectures or long explanations. Following precise instructions, absorbing data on their own

Reflectors • “stand back”, gather data, ponder and analyse, delay reaching conclusions, listen before speaking, thoughtful

Reflectors Learn best: • Observe others, opportunity to review what happened, producing analysis and reports • Paired discussions, feedback from others, coaching, observing activities Learn less well: • Leaders or role players, being rushed, tight deadlines, deep end learning

Theorists • Think things through in logical steps, assimilate disparate facts into theories, rationally objective, reject subjectivity and flippancy

Theorists Learn best: • Structured situations with clear purpose, chance to question/probe ideas • Models, statistics, quotes, background info, applying theories Learn less well: • Situations that emphasise emotions and feelings, unstructured activity, poor briefing, doing things without knowing principles/concepts

Pragmatists • Seek and try out new ideas, practical, down to earth, enjoy problem solving and decision making, quickly bored with long discussions

Pragmatists Learn best: • Immediate opportunities to implement what learned, link between topic and job, model they can copy, try out with feedback • Case studies, problem solving, discussion Learn less well: • No apparent pay-back to learning, “all theory” event, no practice or guidelines, insufficient reward perceived

However…. • The evidence is poor – maybe works best as a lens • Learners should learn in all modalities • Beware of teaching only in your own preferred style