LEARNING STYLES Learning should not just be about

LEARNING STYLES

Learning should not just be about getting qualifications through a series of classroom and exam events. Ideally YOU should gain the necessary skills to be an independent and lifelong learner

People have differing learning needs These are differences in: · Ability or stage of Intuition/Awareness development · Prior knowledge and (educational) experiences · Learner personality and motivation to learn · Learning style(s) · Learning strategies (context specific approaches to learning) · Learning skills (including study skills)

Why is this important? • Will make you more aware of possible strengths and weaknesses regarding your own learning process • Allow you to make more informed decisions about what learning styles best suit you • Reduce anxiety and stress if you are on a training course not best suited to your preferred learning style

Learning styles Psychologists, notably P Honey and A Mumford, have grouped the way people learn into four broad headings: – Activist – Pragmatist – Theorist – Reflector NB Many people learn by a mixture of the above styles

Activist Like to do it · Open minded and enthusiastic about new things · Willing to try new ideas · Tackle problems by mind-storming · Outgoing and like to be the centre of attention · Quickly moves onto something else once the initial excitement has died down

Activist likes and dislikes Probably enjoys · Active sessions · Project work · Group activities and mind-storming · Role plays

Activist likes and dislikes, cont. . May not immediately respond positively to: · Listening to lectures · Background reading on a subject · Writing up projects · Analysing research

Pragmatist Like to try it · Love new ideas and ways of doing things · Keen to see theories actually working · Impatient with people who talk too much, instead of getting on with things · A practical “Hands on” person · Sees problems as a challenge · Looks for better ways of doing things · Only really happy when shown a working example

Pragmatist likes and dislikes Probably enjoys · Real life examples of theory put into practice · Role play · Presenting ideas · Practical group work · Writing up projects · Using research findings

Pragmatist likes and dislikes, cont. . May not immediately respond positively to: · Group discussions on abstract ideas · Theory lectures · Background reading

Theorist Like to test it · · · Are analytic and love detail Uses a logical structured approach A bit of a perfectionist Enjoys theory and concepts Good at pulling together diverse information into a rational argument · Have difficulty coping with uncertainty · Don’t like serious matters being treated flippantly

Theorist likes and dislikes Probably enjoys · Lectures with lots of theory · Background reading · Writing up notes · Research · Analytical exercises

Theorist likes and dislikes, cont. . May not immediately respond positively to: · Group discussions, especially involving feelings and emotions · Presenting ideas to groups

Reflector Like to think it · · Stands back and thinks before they act Enjoys watching and listening to others Quiet, thoughtful, and likes harmony Need to know a subject well before you will talk about it · Likes to look at the “Big Picture” · Are ordered, calm, and thorough

Reflector likes and dislikes Probably enjoys · Thinking about what they have learned before discussing it · Listening to experts · Gathering views and opinions · Background reading · Doing and using your own research

Reflector likes and dislikes, cont. . May not immediately respond positively to: · Role play · Presenting ideas to groups · Being shown the “Big picture”, without much detail to support it

Information presentation As well as learning styles, the way that information is presented to you is also a key element regarding your learning process Verbally (Auditory learners) Pictorially (Visualises) Hands on (Tactile learners) In large jumps (Holistic learners) Detailed and structured (Sequential learners)

Styles Table

Learning in a group or on your own After identifying which learning style(s) and presentation method(s) seem to best match your preferred learning process, you also need to consider if you prefer to learn in a collaborative group or independently

Training options Training is now available in a wide range of formats Making it easier to match your preferred learning process to a given training approach

Training approach overview • • Classroom lectures and exercises Computer based training Opendistancepackaged training Workshops Projectresearch based “Self taught” books, audio tapes, and videos Drop in centres

Training approach overview • • Mentors Role playing “Outward bound type” team building SimulationVirtual reality Management games Development circlesquality circles Job rotation and swapping Training films

Training approach overview • • Continuous professional development Shadowing Secondments Apprenticeships “On the job” training Task delegation Group discussion/mind-storming etc…. ,

LEARNING STYLES