Learning Styles

1
Learning Styles
2
Review

• Learning Theories
• Training Cycle
• MBTI
• Management/Leadership Style

3
Lesson Objectives(Addendum 8-10)

• Describe four stages of the learning cycle /
  differentiate between four learning styles.
• Describe your particular learning style,
  characteristics...
• Match learning situations to the appropriate
  phase.

4
Learning Style

• How do people learn best?
• What difference does it make in designing
  training?

5
Kolbs Learning Cycle (4)
gt
ConcreteExperience
v
lt
6
Concrete Experience

• Specific experience (personal involvement)
• Relate to people
• Sensitive to feelings/people
• Examples?

7
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
ConcreteExperience
v
ReflectiveObservation
lt
8
Reflective Observation

• Observing (watching listening)
• Different perspectives
• Look for meaning (thoughts/ feelings to form
  opinions)
• Examples?

9
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
ConcreteExperience
v
ReflectiveObservation
AbstractConceptualization
lt
10
Abstract Conceptualization

• Logical analysis (conclusion)
• Systematic planning
• Assimilate new ideas into old
• Refer to outside theories
• Create rules or models

11
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
ConcreteExperience
v
ReflectiveObservation
ActiveExperimentation
lt
AbstractConceptualization
12
Active Experimentation

• Get things done (apply to other situations)
• Take risks
• Experiment with similar situations
• Problem solving
• Action oriented

13
Individual Learning Style

• Preferred mode of learning
• Preferred phase(s) of cycle

14
Preferred Style (5)

• Some variation of each most have a dominance
  (preference) in one or two stages!
• Concrete Experience
• Reflective Observation
• Abstract Conceptualization
• Active Experimentation

15
Moving Through the Cycle
16
Kolbs Learning Cycle (8)
gt
DIVERGER
CE
v
AE
RO
AC
lt
17
Diverger

• Imaginative (sees many points of view)
• Understands people (observes, then acts)
• Brainstorms (generates lots of ideas)
• Open minded (aware of feelings, values, attitudes)

18
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
CE
DIVERGER
v
AE
RO
AC
lt
ASSIMILATOR
19
Assimilator

• Planning (logical form)
• Creates models/theories (practical value)
• Define problem (less people oriented)
• Patient

20
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
CE
DIVERGER
v
AE
RO
ASSIMILATOR
AC
lt
CONVERGER
21
Converger

• Good problem solver/ decision maker (technical/
  problem oriented)
• Deductive reasoning
• Logical

22
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
CE
DIVERGER
ACCOMMODATOR
v
AE
RO
ASSIMILATOR
CONVERGER
AC
lt
23
Accommodator

• Get things done (action-oriented/hands-on)
• Leader/risk taker (gut feelings)
• Practical/adaptable

24
Learning styles
gt
Reflector
Activist
v
Theorist
Pragmatist
lt
25
Whats your style?

• Diverger
• Assimilator
• Converger
• Accommodator

How Do You Learn?
26
Kolbs Learning Cycle
gt
ConcreteExperience
v
ReflectiveObservation
ActiveExperimentation
lt
AbstractConceptualization
27
Your LSI Results

• What are the points on the axes?
• What do you prefer more and what do you prefer
  less?
• What does the shape of the rectangle tell about
  you?

28
Discuss in groups

• Strengths
• Career choices
• Weaknesses
• Ways to strengthen weak side (look on opposite
  side of diagram)

29
So what?

• How can I use this to best advantage?

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Applying the Learning Cycle

• Individual strengths weaknesses
• Learning situations
• Career choices
• Training situations
• Team situations

31
Applying to Learning Situations

• Keep a learning journal
• What were my aims?
• What happened?
• How did I feel about what happened?
• What have I learned?
• Where does this lead me?

32
Apply to Career Choices

• Business-related careers
• Examine where strengths lie
• Expect to change as you mature

33
Apply to Training

• Use the entire learning cycle
• Try to meet all learning styles
• Dont emphasize only one side thinking/doing or
  concrete/abstract

34
Summary

• Describe four stages of the learning cycle /
  differentiate between four learning styles.
• Describe your particular learning style,
  characteristics...
• Match learning situations to the appropriate
  phase.