Learning styles

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What are learning styles?

The term learning styles is used to describe how learners gather, interpret, understand and store information for its use.

The are different learning styles and we all learn in more than just one learning style. Here we will describe some of them according to Peter Honey & Alan Mumford and Walter Burke (VAK).

Learning styles developed by Peter Honey and Alan Mumford (1986)

According to Peter Honey and Alan Mumford there are four learning styles which are:

Activist, reflector, theorist, and pragmatist.

Activist

People with this learning style learn by doing. They like to get involve in new experiences, have open-minded approach to learn and without bias in new learning experiences. They tend to act first and consider the consequences afterwards.

They learn best when:

vThey’re involved in new experiences, problems and opportunities.

v  They work with others in problem solving games, role-playing exercises.

v  They are able to lead a group.

Reflector

They learn by observing and thinking about what happened. They prefer to stand back and view experiences from a number of different perspectives collecting data and taking the time towards an appropriate conclusion. They spend time listening and observing. Visual This learning skill has two sub channels, linguistic and spatial. The visual-linguistic learners like to learn through written language (reading and writing tasks). They can remember what they have seen written down, even if they do not read it more than once. They may avoid leaping in and prefer to watch from the sidelines.

Reflectors learn best when:

v Are able to stand back and observe first.

v  Given time to think and investigate before commenting or acting.

v  Given an opportunity to review what has happened.

v  Do tasks without tight deadlines.

Theorist

They like to understand the theory behind the actions. They need models, concepts and facts in order to engage in the learning process. They prefer to analyze and synthesize using a systematic and logical theory without subjective judgements.

Theorists learn best when:

vAn activity is backed up by ideas and concepts that form a model, system or theory (not subjective).

v  Are in a structured situation with a clear purpose.

v  They have the chance to question and probe.

v  Needed to understand a complex situation.

Pragmatist

Pragmatists are keen on trying things out, in other words they need to be able to see how to put the learning into practice in the real world. They are practical, down to earth people. They are experimenters, they like to try out new ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work. They tend to be impatient with open-ended discussions.

Pragmatists learn best when:

vThey can copy an example, or emulate a role model.

v  There is an obvious link between the topic and a current need.

v  They can try things out with feedback from an expert.

v  They are shown techniques with clear practical advantages.

Learning styles by Walter Burke VAK (1987)

According to Walter Burke there are three different learning styles: Kinesthetic, visual and auditory learners. 

Kinesthetic

These learners absorb information primarily through movement in a physical way and also by touching. They tend to lose concentration if they don’t get this external stimulation. When listening to lectures they tend to take notes for the sake of moving their hands and when reading they like to scan the material first, and finally focus on details. They are good at doing the next activities, therefore activities with these characteristics make them learn in a better way.

v They are good at hands-on problem solving.

v  They’re physically coordinated and good at sports.

v  Enjoy expressing themselves physically and may engage in performing arts or dance.

v  Struggle with overly abstract or conceptual topics.

v  May learn by drawing and doodling.

v  May be restless or fidgety in the classroom.

Visual

This learning skill has two sub channels, linguistic and spatial. The visual-linguistic learners like to learn through written language (reading and writing tasks). They can remember what they have seen written down, even if they do not read it more than once.

The visual spatial learners usually have difficulty with written language and do better with demonstrations, charts, videos and that kind of visual materials. They can easily visualize faces and places by using their imagination and seldom get lost in new surroundings. To help the visual learners to develop in the best way and put them in the correct environment for learning we can: 

vUse graphs, illustrations, charts, and other visual aids.

v  Include outlines, concept maps, handouts, etc., for reading and taking notes.

v  Include plenty of content in handouts to reread after the learning session.

v  Emphasize key points to cue when taking notes.

v  Eliminate potential distractions.

v  Use supplement textual information with illustrations whenever possible.

v  Allow them draw pictures in the margins. 

Auditory learners

Often talk to themselves. They learn best through verbal lessons, discussions, listening to information on videos, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. They may have difficulty with reading and writing tasks. They often do better talk to a colleague or a tape recorder and hearing what was said. To help the auditory learners to develop in the best way and put them in the correct environment for learning we can:

vBegin new material with a brief explanation of what is going to be seen.

vUse the Socratic method of lecturing by questioning learners to take out as much information from them as possible and then fill in the gaps with your own expertise.

v  Include auditory activities, like brainstorming or buzz groups. We have to leave plenty of time to debrief connections of what they learned and how it applies to their situation.

v  Use dialogues between learners and the teacher.

vLet them to verbalize questions

Do you want to learn more about grammar, sentence structures and more? 

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References 

• Roswell, J. (2005). Learning Styles. Recuperado el 25 de 07 de 2017, de The Open University: http://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/pluginfile.php/629607/mod_r esource/content/1/t175_4_3.pdf 
• The VAK learning style was pioneered in 1987 by Neil Fleming.- https://www.ukessays.com/essays/education/vak-learning-style-descriptioneducation-essay.php 
• http://www.nwlink.com/~donClark/hrd/styles/vakt.html- Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learning Styles (VAK)
• Learning styles-https://teach.com/what/teachers-know/learning-styles/
• What are Learning Styles? https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/learning-styles-preferences/