1. Foundation Degree in Business Victoria Hadfield
How we learn
Foundation Degree in Business
Victoria Hadfield

2. Types of Learning Instrumental Learning Cognitive Learning
Learning how to do the job better once you know the basics
Cognitive Learning
Gaining knowledge and understanding by absorbing information
Affective Learning
Based on development of attitudes or feelings rather than knowledge
Self-Reflective Learning
Encourage learners to think for themselves, new patterns of understanding, thinking and behaving

3. Learning Process Individuals learn for themselves and others
Through team membership, interaction with peers and managers and others
Learn by doing and by instruction
People learn in different ways
Motivation has a large part to play

4. Learning Theories Reinforcement – “Conditioning”
Cognitive learning – Gaining knowledge by absorbing principles, concepts and facts then internalising it. - People as “powerful information-processing machines”
Experiential Learning – Doing and reflecting – people are “active agents of their own learning”
Social learning – Social interaction – necessary for effective learning

5. Learning Styles Two most prevalent classifications from
KOLB (1964) - US favourite
Honey and Mumford (2000) – UK favourite

6. KOLB 1984

7. David Kolb's Experiential Learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (1984) theorized that four combinations of perceiving and processing determine four learning styles that make up a learning cycle. According to Kolb, the learning cycle involves four processes that must be present for learning to occur:
Diverging (concrete, reflective) - Emphasizes the innovative and imaginative approach to doing things. Views concrete situations from many perspectives and adapts by observation rather than by action. Interested in people and tends to be feeling-oriented. Likes such activities as cooperative groups and brainstorming.
Assimilating (abstract, reflective) - Pulls a number of different observations and thoughts into an integrated whole. Likes to reason inductively and create models and theories. Likes to design projects and experiments.
Converging (abstract, active)- Emphasizes the practical application of ideas and solving problems. Likes decision-making, problem-solving, and the practicable application of ideas. Prefers technical problems over interpersonal issues.
Accommodating (concrete, active) - Uses trial and error rather than thought and reflection. Good at adapting to changing circumstances; solves problems in an intuitive, trial-and-error manner, such as discovery learning. Also tends to be at ease with people.

8. Honey and Mumford
Derived their research from KOLB but simplified the language:
They also say that learning preferences depend on situation and level of experience so they move between the four modes of learning rather than being locked into just one
KOLB
Honey & Mumford
Diverger
Reflector
Assimilator
Theorist
Converger
Pragmatist
Accommodator
Activist

9. LEARNING STYLES QUESTIONNAIRE
On your own – have a go at the Honey and Mumford Questionnaire

10. Reflectors
Prefer to learn from activities that allow them to watch, think and review – they like to have time to think things over. They like journals, brainstorming and lectures with expert explanations and analysis
Theorists
Prefer to think about problems step-by-step. They like lectures, analogies, systems, case studies, models and readings. They would avoid talking with experts .
Pragmatists
Prefer to apply new learning to practice to see if it works. They like laboratories, field work and observations. They like feedback, coaching and good links between the task and a problem
Activists
Prefer the challenge of new experience, involvement with others, assimilations and role playing. They like anything new, problem solving and small group discussions