Dr. Rania Zaini December 2009 Learning Skills Session II: Learning styles

Learning outcomes: 2 Students are expected to: Display different learning styles Identify their own learning style Present the potential strength and weakness of each stage of leaning Match between specific learning styles and appropriate leaning skills

What is a learning style? 3 “Characteristic cognitive, affective, and physiological factors that serve as relatively stable indicators of how a learner perceives, interacts with, and responds to the learning environment”

What is a learning style? 4 A learning style is our preferred way of taking in and putting out information in a learning setting It is not in a work setting or social setting.

5 Learning styles ARE NOT strengths or weaknesses Learning styles are preferences!

TIP 6 Use your learning style to get more productive

What are the benefits of knowing your learning style? 7 Understand how you learn best Helps you identify study strategies that are helpful and those that might be a waste of time Develop study strategies that are more effective based upon your learning style resulting in greater academic success Because you are studying more effectively you will need less time for studying

Three kinds of learners 8 The three major factors making up your learning style: the three senses Auditory, visual and kinesthetics the two reasoning types: Deductive and inductive the two environments: intrapersonal and interpersonal

The Three Senses: 9

The Three Senses: 10 Visual—seeing, reading and visualizing I score high on tests that depend on reading comprehension. I can read formulas and understand them I prefer maps to verbal directions when I am trying to find a place. Auditory—listening I prefer to follow verbal instructions rather than written ones. I find it comfortable to add spoken numbers mentally. Kinesthetics—moving, touching, writing and doing When I write things down, it clarifies my thoughts. I have to manipulate formulas in order to understand them. I like to draw pictures. I am good at using my hands. I enjoy lab classes.

11

12

Exercise 13

The Two Reasoning Types 14 Deductive reasoning I like to look at the big picture first, then get the details. When learning a new game, I like to know all the rules before playing. In an argument, I state my premises first, then draw conclusions. Inductive reasoning I like to see some examples when first learning a new subject, before developing an overview. I prefer to learn the rules of a new game "as we go along".

15

16

17

18

The Two Learning Environments 19

The Two Learning Environments 20 Intrapersonal—working alone. When solving word problems, I have to figure it out for myself. Doing school work with a group often wastes a lot of time. Interpersonal—working with others. Before making a decision, I usually discuss it with my family or friends. I like to do my homework with others.

What have you learnt 21

Can I change my learning style? 22 Remember: It is a preferences and as a learner you must Flexible Yes you can modify your learning preferences according to the learning environment

How? 23 Klob’s four learning stages

David Kolb's learning styles model and experiential learning theory 24 David Kolb published his learning styles model in 1984 Assesses the way you learn, and how you deal with ideas and day-to-day situations. We all learn in different ways. This inventory can serve as a stimulus for you to interpret and reflect on the ways you prefer to learn in specific settings.

25

26

Learning Cycle 27

28 doing (Active Experimentation - AE) watching (Reflective Observation - RO) feeling (Concrete Experience - CE) accommodating (CE/AE) diverging (CE/RO) thinking (Abstract Conceptualization - AC) Converging (AC/AE) assimilating (AC/RO)

29 doing (Active Experimentation - AE) watching (Reflective Observation - RO) feeling (Concrete Experience - CE) accommodating (CE/AE) diverging (CE/RO) thinking (Abstract Conceptualization - AC) Converging (AC/AE) assimilating (AC/RO)

Exercise 30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Conclusion 38

39 Personal style and Senses Environment Reasoning type

40

41

See you next week 42