Learning how you Learn. A guide to learning styles and the benefits of understanding yours
You are a unique learner. No one else learns in exactly the same way you do. There are many benefits to discovering how you process information best, not just to improve your academic success but your personal and professional life too! These activities will guide you toward thinking about how you learn and the benefits of being aware of your learning styles and preferences to help you on your Access to HE Diploma. The knowledge and skills you develop in doing so you will carry through with you to higher levels of learning and other aspects of your life. There are numerous theories on types of learning generally called learning styles. Spending some time thinking about and reflecting on how you learn best can be very valuable in improving your ability to learn and extending the range of ways in which you can learn more productively. It can be great fun trying out some quizzes and researching more into your learning preferences ACADEMIC maximises your learning potential enables you to succeed on your programme gives you customised techniques to score better on tests and exams allows you to learn your way through your own best strategies shows you how to overcome the limitations of poor teachers/trainers reduces the stress and frustration of learning experiences expands your existing learning and studying strategies PERSONAL increases your self-confidence improves your self-image teaches you how to use your brain best and gives you insight into your strengths, weaknesses and habits enables you to enjoy any learning process inspires greater curiosity, motivation for lifelong learning shows you how to take advantage of your natural skills & inclinations PROFESSIONAL enables you to stay up-to-date professionally gives you an edge over your competitors allows you to manage teams more effectively guides you in delivering effective presentations to diverse audiences improves your persuasive and sales skills helps you improve cooperation among colleagues translates learning power into earning power
Theories Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence [MI] Howard Gardner identified seven distinct intelligences. He believes that a single definition of intelligence is too narrow and his research found that students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways. According to his theory, we are able to know the world through language, logicalmathematical analysis, spatial representation, musical thinking, the use of the body to solve problems or to make things, an understanding of other individuals, and an understanding of ourselves. The 7 distinct intelligences Visual-Spatial - think in terms of physical space, as do architects and sailors. Very aware of their environments. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, read maps, daydream. They can be taught through drawings, verbal and physical imagery. Tools include models, graphics, charts, photographs, drawings, 3-D modeling, video, videoconferencing, television, multimedia, texts with pictures/charts/graphs. Bodily-kinesthetic - use the body effectively, like a dancer or a surgeon. Keen sense of body awareness. They like movement, making things, touching. They communicate well through body language and be taught through physical activity, hands-on learning, acting out, role playing. Tools include equipment and real objects. Musical - show sensitivity to rhythm and sound. They love music, but they are also sensitive to sounds in their environments. They may study better with music in the background. They can be taught by turning lessons into lyrics, speaking rhythmically, tapping out time. Tools include musical instruments, music, radio, stereo, CD-ROM, multimedia Interpersonal - understanding, interacting with others. These students learn through interaction. They have many friends, empathy for others, street smarts. They can be taught through group activities, seminars, dialogues. Tools include the telephone, audio conferencing, time and attention from the instructor, video conferencing, writing, computer conferencing, E-mail.
Intrapersonal - understanding one's own interests, goals. These learners tend to shy away from others. They're in tune with their inner feelings; they have wisdom, intuition and motivation, as well as a strong will, confidence and opinions. They can be taught through independent study and introspection. Tools include books, creative materials, diaries, privacy and time. They are the most independent of the learners. Linguistic - using words effectively. These learners have highly developed auditory skills and often think in words. They like reading, playing word games, making up poetry or stories. They can be taught by encouraging them to say and see words, read books together. Tools include computers, games, multimedia, books, tape recorders, and lecture. Logical -Mathematical - reasoning, calculating. Think conceptually, abstractly and are able to see and explore patterns and relationships. They like to experiment, solve puzzles, ask cosmic questions. They can be taught through logic games, investigations, mysteries. They need to learn and form concepts before they can deal with details Gardner believes that where individuals differ is in the strength of these intelligences but that all should be equally respected and acknowledged. A good example to use here is David Beckham. In the traditional sense we know of the word intelligence we would not necessarily define David Beckham as intelligent but possibly someone like Stephen Hawkins or a top scientist. However, taking Howard Gardner s perspective David Beckham is intelligent but in a bodily kinaesthetic way he is not just a good footballer! Learning Activity 1 Visit the website http://www.edutopia.org/multipleintelligences-assessment and complete the Multiple Intelligences quiz. Analyse your learning strengths and weaknesses and complete some more research into your learning preferences and strengths. Think about how you might employ these into your studying on this programme. Please note your results for your tutor. Honey and Mumford Honey and Mumford s model builds on the work of other researchers and suggests that people have one of four distinct learning styles or preferences: Activist, Theorist; Pragmatist and Reflector. According to Honey and Mumford, these are dependent on the context of the learning situation and the experience so no individual is locked into one particular style.
Their theory is used heavily in the teaching arena and has been a core theory in shaping education in the UK. Learning Activity 2 Follow the hyperlink below to take your learning style assessment. Again, analyse your results and reflect upon your findings. In what way may you utilise knowing your learning strengths and preferences to your advantage. Follow through this interesting article with more detailed information about your preferences. Research further into the cycles and decide whether you feel you agree or disagree with this theory. Please note your results for your tutor. http://repositoryintralibrary.leedsmet.ac.uk/open_virtual_file_path/i391n604179t/learningstylessrc/7.le arning+styles/ls-honeymumford.html Left or right Brain? We go through life attached to a lot of personality-related labels - introverted, optimistic, strong but silent, drama queen, etc. But left-brain or right-brain? These are not so wellknown. Interestingly however, whether it is our left hemisphere that is more dominant or our right one, the distinction can impact our personality and the decisions we make. For example, left-brain people are more organised and systematic. Right-brain people are more creative and intuitive. The links between understanding our dominant side and how we learn have
long been established but it is always interesting to learn about ourselves to help aid our studying and learning ability on a personal level. Many large business organisations use these as part of their psychometric and personality testing to find the right type of candidate for a position. Learning Activity 3 Follow the hyperlinks below to take a fast quiz to find out which is your dominant side of the brain. Following this reflect on whether you found anything new about yourself you maybe were not aware and how you might use your dominance to your advantage? If you are right brain dominant, how might you become more organised and systematic? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2569288/are-right-brained-left-brained-anddoes-say-personality-take-interactive-quiz-out.html#ixzz3xcwqpm http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills/extra/module1/2.shtml Further reading Books to help you reflect 'Gifts Differing' (Isabel Myers, Consulting Psychologists Press, Paulo Alto, 1980) 'Marching to Different Drummers' (Pat Burke Guild and Stephen Garger, ASCD, Alexandria, 1998) 'Learning Styles and Pedagogy in Post-16 Learning' (The Learning and Skills Research Centre, 2004, available at www.lsrc.ac.uk) 'About Learning: Report of the Learning Group' (David Hargreaves et al, Demos, 2005) 'Learning Styles' (Becta report, 2005) Useful websites www.personalitypage.com www.knowyourtype.com www.typelogic.com www.personalitypathways.com