1 Learning Styles Sue Daley-Yates Academic skills Tutor UCB

2 Define Learning In groups of 3 or 4 brainstorm answers to the following questions: What is learning ? How can we recognise when learning has taken place ?

According to Jarvis et al (2005, p.2) learning can be defined as: “A change in behaviour or practice. The acquisition of knowledge. Knowledge gained through study. To gain knowledge of, or skill in, something through study, teaching, instruction or experience. The process of gaining knowledge. A process by which behaviour is changed, shaped or controlled. The individual process of constructing understanding based on experience from a wide range of sources.” Some Definitions of Learning

Informal learning Formal learning Incidental learning Learning from friends, partners, colleagues, strangers etc. Learning at nursery, school, college, university, other institutions etc. Often results in qualifications ‘Normal’ growth / development Learning as a Continuum 4

5 A Behaviourist View of Learning “Behaviourists see learning as a relatively permanent, observable change in behaviour as a result of experience. This change is effected through a process of reward and reinforcement but has little regard, initially, for mental process or understanding” (Pritchard, 2005, p. 20)

6 A Constructivist View of Learning The notion that the cognitive structure is flexible with the potential to change Can also involve learning from within We choose what we pay attention to / what we choose to learn How we construct meaning from the material How we modify what we know / feel (Moon, 2004)

7 Reflective Learning According to Beard & Wilson: “Experience may underpin all learning but it does not always result in learning. We have to engage with the experience and reflect on what happened and why.” (Beard & Wilson, 2006, cited in Blake & Bishop, 2007/8, p.9)

8 What’s the point ? For learners – to become more effective, to become more independent, to use strengths and improve weaker processing channels For teachers – to provide opportunities for students to become more involved in their learning, can improve retention and achievement, can be relevant to widening participation Relevant for Professional Development

9 What is a learning style ? “Learning Style is the way in which each learner begins to concentrate on, process, and retain new and [possibly] difficult information” (Dunn,1967. Cited in Wilson,n.d.) “....a biologically and developmentally imposed set of personal characteristics that make the same teaching method effective for some students and ineffective for others,...” (Dunn, Beaudry, and Klavas, Cited in Learning Point Associates, 2008)

10 Learners may use a variety of channels through which they take in / process information Learners may have a preferred style of approaching a learning task / carrying it out Watch the video: fE5c&feature=related fE5c&feature=related Learning Preferences / Style

11 Different Models Visual Auditory Kinaesthetic Tactile VAK/T

12 Characteristics of VAK learners See Handout – Learning Styles:different approaches or ways of learning Overleaf are strategies to enhance processing channels Read and tick your characteristics when learning

13 Honey and Mumford – Learning Styles Activists Reflectors Theorists Pragmatists

14 David Kolb – learning styles Diverging (feeling and watching) Assimilating (watching and thinking) Converging (doing and thinking) Accommodating (doing and feeling

15 Experiential Learning Can be summed up as: Experience is the foundation of, and stimulus for, learning. Learners actively construct their own experience. Learning is holistic. Learning is socially and culturally constructed. Learning is influenced by the socio-economic context within which it occurs. (Miller & Boud, 1996, pp Cited in Jarvis et al. 2003)

16 David Kolb’s Learning Cycle Concrete experience Abstract conceptualization Reflective observation Active experimentation

17 Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences “Gardner’s approach …recognises the diversity of children [and adults] and appreciates that ability and intelligence should not be dominated by language skills” (Reid, 2004, p.59). See Handout: Understanding your own intelligence strengths vice-dysbrainmultiple.pdf

18 How you learn may be important Why ? May be important for improving your performance at work in terms of professional development also to make you a better EYP Avoid repeating negative patterns of behaviour May improve quality of life in general

19 Reflective Learning and CPD “CPD is a combination of approaches, ideas and techniques that will help you manage your own learning and growth. Reflecting on your learning enables you to link your continuous professional development (CPD) to practical outcomes and widens the definition of what counts as useful activity. Quite simply, you need to keep asking ‘what did I get out of this?’ As a reflective learner, you’ll think about how you’ll use new knowledge and skills in your future activities – so learning is always linked to action, and theory to practice.” CIPD, 2009)

20 First Assignment Essay on Learning Styles Evaluate the impact of learning styles as an educational resource Look at the evidence provided in the Learning Styles Reader Consider your own experiences as an EYP Evaluate your own style of learning

21 Section 3 – 500 words Evaluate your own style of learning Use the VAK Questionnaire Use other learning style tools Evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses regarding your academic skills / study skills Use the Individual Learning Profile (ILP) Relate the results to your own experiences

22 Other Tests On the Internet, in Google, search for learning styles tests Take on online test Compare results Are they the same ? If not, can you suggest reasons for this ?

23 Useful sites for learning style tests Multiple intelligences d/test_flash.html A selection of free online tests at: nermultipleintelligences.htm#vark%20learn ing%20styles%20model nermultipleintelligences.htm#vark%20learn ing%20styles%20model

24 Section 4 – 250 words Becoming a successful learner After evaluating your learning style and skills – Discuss your weak areas e.g grammar How will you improve this skill ? Etc. Highlight positive areas too but aim to capitalize on these – how ? See handout for Section 3 & 4

Reference List Beard, C. & Wilson, J. (2006) Experiential Learning: A Best Practice Handbook for Trainers and Educators. London:Kogan Page. Cited in Blake, J. & Bishop, G. (2007/8) Reflective Practice: Guide and Workbook for Undergraduates. University of Huddersfield Business School. Boud, D. & Miller, N.(1996) Working with Experience. London: Routledge. Cited in Jarvis, P., Holford, J., Griffin, C. (2003) the theory & practice of learning. Kogan Page Ltd. CIPD (2009) What is CIPD ? [online] Available at: [Accessed 12 September 2009]. Dunn, R., Beaudry, J.S., & Klavas, A. (1989). “Survey of research on learning styles.” Educational Leadership, 46(6), pp Cited in Learning Point Associates (2008) Educating Teachers for Diversity [online]. Available at: [Accessed 12 September 2008] Jarvis, P., Holford, J., Griffin, C. (2003) the theory & practice of learning. Kogan Page Ltd. Moon, J. (2004) A Handbook of Reflective and Experiential Learning: Theory and Practice. Abingdon: RoutledgeFalmer Pritchard, A. (2005) Ways of Learning. David Fulton Publishers Wilson, C. Learning Styles (n.d.) The Dunn and Dunn Model [online]. Available at: [Accessed 12 September 2008]