Comments to: crs@uvm.eduReviewed as of 4/20/98
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM. IT IS POSTED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES FOR PUBLIC
USE. THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CONTENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO THE USERS GUIDE.
EXERCISE 3
Looking for My Learning Style
> What is learning style?
Since we assume that many of the aspects of leadership can be
learned, and we have begun to identify some of the areas about
which we'd like to learn more, the next step might be to explore
how we like to learn--to determine our preference for how to
acquire new knowledge and skills.
A learning style is a unique pattern of behavior and
performance by which an individual approaches an educational
experience. It's a preference, our most comfortable way to learn.
Dr. David Kolb found that it is the combination of how we
perceive and process information and experience that forms the
uniqueness of our own learning style. Learning styles are formed
in the brain and personality, molded by human development and
affected by physiological, psychological, environmental, and
situational variables.
> Right Brain - Left Brain
To begin, let's use a simple exercise to see if we have a
preference for using the right side of the brain (the
visual-spatial side) or the left side (the verbal, symbol-using
side).
> Instructions:
Complete the following sentences by checking one of the words
or phrases that follow. Don't agonize over each choice, use a
sense or a general preference.
After you complete the sentences, go on to the scoring
procedure, and see how your tendency checks out with the left/right
brain function diagram.
> Scoring for Learning Strategies Exercises:
1) Label each column A, B, C (left to right)
2) Add checks for each column
3) Subtract total of column A from total of column B
4) Compare with total for column C
5) If your score is 5 or higher, your score is the total
of column C. Otherwise, your score is the difference
between column A and column B.
6) Plot your score on the scale below to determine
general tendency for right or left side dominance.
(-) (+)
12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
closer to zero on the scale, more likely to use both sides of the brain
Left brain Right brain
dominance dominance
> Four basic learning styles
Using work on the various functions of the brain, a number of
researchers have defined basic learning styles. David Kolb bases his
definition on how different individuals perceive reality. He noted that
some people tend to sense and feel their way through the world, while others
think things through. He also noted that some people watch and reflect on
what's happening and some people jump right in and do it. These are
differences in the way people process experience and information.
Kolb illustrated that most people find themselves somewhere on spectrum
between the two types of perception (thinking vs. feeling) and the two types
of processing (watching vs. doing).
SENSOR/FEELERS
(Concrete Experience)
DOERS
(Active Experimentation)
WATCHERS
(Reflective Observation)
THINKERS
(Abstract Conceptualization)
We know that all four preferences are valid, and valuable; discovering
our own preferences can help us in two ways. First, we can sometimes select
how we learn; second, we can sometimes compensate in learning situations
where we can't use our preference.
A number of sophisticated instruments have been developed to help
people identify their learning styles. You might want to locate one through
a local school system, college, or library, or by checking out the two we
have included in the bibliography (the "Learning Style Inventory" by McBer
and Company and the "Action-Projection System" by Performax Systems in
LaJolla, Ca.)
In the meantime, you might make some guesses about your learning style
preferences by looking at Bernice McCarthy's description of the four styles
in Figure xx.
> Perception modes
Finally, we can become more aware of how we perceive the world around
us, again recognizing we all have capabilities in all modes, but we may tend
to favor one over the others. In Figure xx, perhaps you can see whether
your preferred modes of perception fall on the spectrum illustrated below:
VISUAL
TACTUAL _______________________________________ KINESTHETIC
AUDITORY
IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
> Some characteristics of people who favor particular perception modes
AUDITORY:
excellent listener
can reproduce symbols, letters, or words by hearing them
can repeat verbal instructions
enjoys dialogue, plays, and drama
hums, talks to self and others
favors music; can learn concepts by listening to tapes
learns reading best by phonetic approach
VISUAL:
learns by seeing and watching demonstrations
conjures up the image of a form by seeing it with the mind's eye
sometimes has vivid imagination
stares; needs something to watch
quiet; does not talk at length
becomes impatient when extensive listening is required
prefers the visual arts (media)
reads by word recognition
TACTUAL:
learning must involve the sense of touch
likes to trace words/pictures in sand
often takes notes and/or likes to write on the blackboard
does well in art, especially when working with clay
likes to piece things together
often found doodling
KINESTHETIC:
learns by doing; direct involvement
fidgets; finds reasons to move
not attentive to visual/auditory presentations so seems distractable
tries things out; touches; manipulates
gestures when speaking
poor listener
responds to music by physical movement
Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98