I recently returned from BETT* where I had the opportunity to speak with many dedicated educators and administrators who are constantly looking for ways to teach all students and help them be successful in school, work and life. One discussion stood out in my mind and I would like to discuss that topic with you today. It was around learning styles.
When it comes to learning, each person is unique. One thing an educator can be sure of is that in a classroom of students many different learning styles will be represented. In my discussion at BETT we were discussing this challenge and one of the educators talked about his efforts to identify how each of his students learn and then use that information to tailor his teaching methods to their learning styles.
There are lots of ways to help students identify their learning style and I thought I might highlight one survey tool that has been around for many years but is now primarily used with adult learners and workers. However, I believe this tool can be used with high school students. It would be a great tool to introduce learning styles to students and help them prepare themselves as they move into the academic setting of high school where more independent learning is necessary to succeed. One of the best things about this tool is that no style is wrong, it is all about learning how you learn, problem solve, internalize information and think.
The Learning Style Inventory Model…
The Learning Style Inventory (LSI) model, created by educational theorist David A. Kolb, is based on the Experiential Learning Theory, as explained in Kolb’s book, Experiential Learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (1984). The LSI is a helpful resource that evaluates the way we prefer to learn by how we handle situations, problem solve and think of ideas. The LSI test helps determine our strengths and weaknesses, what stage we’re at in the Cycle of Learning, and what Learning-Style Type best fits us.
Cycle of Learning
According to Kolb, there are four different learning modes in the Cycle of Learning. We all use each part of the cycle, effective learning involves all four stages, but we all lean more towards a specific learning mode.
The Four Stages of the Learning Cycle
(From the “LSI Self-Scoring Inventory and Interpretation Booklet)
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Concrete Experience
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Reflective Observation
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Abstract Conceptualization
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Active Experimentation
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After combining all your scores from the LSI test and seeing where you fall on the Learning Cycle, you can then determine what learning-style type fits you.
- Are you a Converger?
This learning type most involves learning by thinking and doing. - Your strength is solving problems and making decisions by logically using ideas and theories. You are very technical-task oriented and practical.
- Are you a Diverger?
This learning type most involves learning from feeling, watching and listening. - You approach a situation by considering all view points and possible answers. You first observe, brainstorm, and prefer gathering lots of information.
- Are you an Assimilator?
This learning type most involves learning by thinking, watching and listening. - You are good with understanding a wide variety of information, abstract ideas and concepts. You learn best by putting everything into a logical, concise form.
- Are you an Accomodator?
This learning type most involves learning from feelings and learning by doing. - You are more of a “hands-on” learner and prefer actual experience over logical analysis and facts. You enjoy challenging experiences and incorporating other people’s opinions in your decision-making process.
All of the strengths and capabilities from each of the four learning types are important to have; almost every problem requires feeling, watching, listening, thinking and implementing. Whether it’s in the classroom, at work or moving through our daily life activities, understanding your learning style and the styles of those around you can drastically help improve how you solve problems and work with others.
Kolb describes three ways in which we can improve:
1) Learn from your peers and acquaintances, learning your strengths and building on your weaknesses
(What a great way to benefit from team and collaborative work in school.)
2) Properly match your learning style with your life
3) Work towards becoming a flexible learner.
Helping a student connect this knowledge of their learning style to techniques and tools that facilitate using their primary style more effectively can be a powerful combination in moving a student’s ability to learn forward.
As an educator, being aware of this model, what your own personal learning style is, how it affects your teaching, as well as then incorporating a broader range of activities that speak to these learning styles in your teaching, can help you reach more students.
To learn more about Experiential Learning and the Learning Styles Inventory check out Experiential Learning: Experience as the source of learning and development by David A. Kolb available through Amazon, or go to http://www.haygroup.com/ww/media/details.aspx?id=21223&c=3 and view the video by Alice Kolb, PhD on What is Experiential learning? – What about teaching styles?
As always I close with a question for you – What’s your learning style and how does it influence your teaching style?
*Formerly known as the British Educational Training and Technology Show, which is now dedicated to showcasing the best in UK and international educational technology products, resources and best practices.
Introducing this thought with our students early on, letting them know that there are various ways to intake, process, and act on information is important. One, it helps us coach them to find ways to use their strengths to complete assignments and to do independent learning. But more importantly two, as you mentioned, it helps them find a match between their life and opportunities before them and how they process the world and information. There is so much learning that goes on outside of the classroom, way past K-12 and college. Understanding how they learn best and being equipped to seek opportunities where they can shine in their strengths is a wonderful foundation to have.