Understanding Individual Learning Styles

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Understanding Individual Learning Styles
Toby Rabinovitz, SMC Group

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Goals

• To gain an understanding of the strengths of
  individual learning styles
• To provide individuals with a greater insight and
  strategies for engaging all types of learners in
  the learning process

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Learning

• Based on the work of David Kolb, Experience Based
  Learning Systems (Learning Styles)
• Learning is a process a cycle
• Different learners start at different points in
  the learning cycle
• Effective learning eventually involves all four
  phases of the cycle
• Effective facilitation involves asking different
  types of questions to engage different learners

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Your Learning Style

• What words would you use to describe your
  learning style?
• What motivates you as a learner what frustrates
  you?
• What can facilitators do to engage you in the
  learning process?

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Learning Dimensions

• Two main dimensions to the learning process
• How we perceive new information
• Some sense and feel Concrete Experience (CE)
• Others grasp new information through thinking
  about, analyzing or systematically planning
  Abstract Conceptualization (AC)

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Learning Dimensions cont

• How we process what we perceive or transform
  information and experiences are absorbed
• Some jump right in and test the experiences
  Active Experimentation (AE)
• Others choose to watch and reflect on the
  experience Reflective Observation (RO)

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How You Learn

• LEARN BY EXPERIENCING
• Concrete Experience(CE)
• Learning from experience
• Relating to people
• Sensitive to feelings people

• LEARN BY REFLECTING
• Reflective Observation (RO)
• Observing before making judgments
• Viewing issues from different perspectives
• Looking for meaning of things

• LEARN BY DOING
• Active Experimentation (AE)
• Ability to get things done
• Take risks
• Influence others through action

PROCESSING
PERCEIVING

• LEARN BY THINKING
• Abstract Conceptualization (AC)
• Logically analyzing ideas
• Systematic planning
• Acting on the (theory) - intellectual
  understanding

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Learning Style Inventory

• To purchase a self-directed learning styles
  assessment guide contact
• Hay/McBer Training Resource Group
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email trg_mcber_at_haygroup.com
• Information, books and tools related to learning
  styles

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Facilitating Learning

• Design Vary the design to involve a combination
  of theory, activity, discussion and application
  
• Debrief Ask different questions to debrief the
  learning activity
• Language Use different words and/or
  introductions words have different meanings
• Reinforce Learning Summarize and make the links
  to application do not assume

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Implication for Training Design
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Asking the Right Questions

• Objective for a learning process help
  individuals personalize the learning process
• Different learning styles will respond to
  different questions of inquiry
• Use the following slides as a guide to
  facilitating the learning process

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Learning Styles
CE
Accommodating Dynamic
Diverging Imaginative
AE
RO
Assimilating Analytical
Converging Common Sense
AC
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Concrete Experiences (CE)

• Learn from Experiencing (Confirmation Questions)
• How is it going?
• Does this make sense?
• Is this clear?
• Have you done this before?
• What would you prefer to do?

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Reflection Observation (RO)

• Learn by Reflecting (Noticing Questions)
• What did you see observation?
• What did you notice?
• How do you feel?
• What stands out most in your mind?
• Who else had the same experience?
• What happened?
• What surprised you?

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Abstract Conceptualization (AC)

• Learn by Thinking (Meaning Questions)
• How does this compare with what you expected?
• What does this mean to you?
• What does this suggest to you about your group?
• What can we learner from this experience?
• What principle/theory can be applied to this
  situation?
• How does this relate to the last activity?
• So What!

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Active Experimentation (AE)

• Learn By Doing (Applying and Experimentation)
• Does this mean a change for you?
• What does this predict?
• Do you agree with this?
• What can happen now?
• Where to from here?
• Whats your first step?
• Is this a commitment to change?

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Developing Strengths
DIVERGING
ACCOMMODATING

• STYLE STRENGTHS
• Intuitive Learners
• Getting things done
• Taking risks
• Taking the lead - Initiating
• Being adaptable and practical

• STYLE STRENGTHS
• Imaginative Learners
• Being imaginative
• Understanding people
• Recognizing problems and being open minded
• Brainstorming

• Others Can Enhance Diverging Skills by
• Being sensitive to peoples feelings and values
• Listening with an open mind
• Gathering information
• Imagining how to deal with ambiguity

• Others Can Enhance Accomodating Skills by
• Commiting yourself to objectives
• Seeking new opportunities
• Influencing and leading others
• Becoming personally involved

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Developing Learning Skills
CONVERGING
ASSIMILATING

• STYLE STRENGTHS
• Practical Learners
• Solving problems testing theories
• Making decisions
• Applying Common Sense
• Defining problems and being logical

• STYLE STENGTHS
• Theoretical Learners
• Planning thinking through ideas
• Creating models and developing theories
• Defining problems and being patient
• Works through details

• Others Can Enhance Converging Skills by
• Creating new ways of thinking and doing
• Experimenting with new ideas
• Choosing the best solutions
• Setting goals
• Making decisions

• Others Can Enhance Assimilating Skills by
• Organizing information
• Testing theories and ideas
• Building conceptual models
• Designing experiments
• Analyzing quantitative data