LEARNING STYLES

Learning styles refer to a range of challenging and contested

theories that aim to account for differences in individuals
learning. These theories propose that all people can be classified
according to their style of learning. Although the various
theories present differing views on how the styles should be
defined and categorized. A common concept is that individuals
differ in how they learn.

Learning styles are different ways of taking in and

understanding information. These ways are affected by age,
experience, physiology, culture, and may other factors.

SINCE

EVERYONE

LEARNS

DIFFERENTLY,

UNDERSTANDING LEARNING STYLES. YOU WILL

BECOME AWARE OF HOW EACH PERSONS BRAIN
LEARNS BEST.
The way a person preface to learn is called his/ her
Learning Style.
There is no right or wrong, good or bad learning style.
A persons learning style has nothing to do with intelligence
or skills.

VAK LEARNING STYLES

ONE TYPE OF LEARNING STYLE
FRAME WORK DIVIDES LEARNING
INTO THREE PREFERENCES: VISUAL,
AUDITORY, AND KINESTHETIC, APTLY
NAMED VAK
Visual Learners

learn by sight

Auditory Learners

learn by hearing

Tactile Learners( kinesthetic ) - learn by touch.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VISUAL
LEARNERS

Prefer to see information such as pictures, diagrams, cartoons,

and demonstrations.

They picture words and concepts they hear as image.

They are easily distracted in lecture with no visual aids.

Overwhelmed with intense visuals accompanied by lecture.

Benefit from using charts, maps, notes, and flash cards when

studying.

SUGGESTED LEARNING
METHODS
Take

lecture notes

Underline,
Borrow
Draw
Use

highlight, or circle printed material

others notes, compare to own.

pictures in notes to illustrate concepts.

a variety of colors in pens, pencils, markers,

highlighters, paper, etc. for different categories or concepts.

Write

it out!

Draw

out ideas.

Work

with many colors

Use

outlines, pictures, graphs, charts, and diagrams.

CHARACTERISTICS OF
AUDITORY LEARNERS

Prefer to hear information spoken

Can

absorb a lecture with little effort

May

not need careful notes to learn

Often

avoid eye contact in order to concentrate.

May

read aloud to themselves

Like

background music when they study

SUGGESTED LEARNING METHODS

Study

in groups and talk things out

Work

out problems aloud

Record
Read

texts out loud( into recorder).

Listen

to lecture/ text tapes while driving, walking etc.

Dictate
Read
Use

lectures, tutoring and study group sessions, etc.

papers, to be typed later.

questions aloud

word association

TACTILE OR KINESTHETIC
LEARNERS
Prefer
In

touch as their primary mode for taking in information.

traditional lecture situations. They should write out important

facts.
Create
Role-

study sheets connected to vivid examples

playing can help them learn and remember important ideas

SUGGESTED LEARNING METHODS

Trace
Use

finger as a guide while reading material

Take,
Get

letters of words with finger ( to memorize spelling, for example)

and type out or rewrite class notes.

hands- on in science or computer labs, for example- dont just

watch someone else do it.

Write
Use

out everything

models- of the human brain, DNA, etc

Draw

charts or diagrams of relationships.

DAVID KOLBS MODEL

Kolbs model outlines two related approaches towards grasping experience:
Concrete Experience and Abstract Conceptualization, as well as two related
approaches toward transforming experience: Reflective observation and
Active experimentation. According to Kolb's model, the ideal learning process
engages all four of t observation to conceptualization to experimentation and
back to experience. In order for learning to be effective, all four of these
approaches must be incorporated. As individuals attempt to use all four
approaches. However, they may tend to develop strength in one experiencegrasping approach and one experience- transforming approach, leading them
to prefer one of the following four learning styles:

David A. Kolb ( With Roger

Fry) Created His Famous
Out Of Four Elements. i.e.
Its is a Cycle of
Experiencing, Reflecting,
Generalizing and Applying

KOLBS EXPERIMENTAL
LEARNING MODEL
Concrete experience
(Feeling)

Active
experimentation
(Doing)

Reflective observation
(Watching)

Abstract
Conceptualization
(Thinking)

Kolb explained, learning is the process whereby

knowledge is created through the transformation of
experience. Thus we can define experimental
learning as the sense- making process of active
engagement between the inner world of the person
and the outer world of the environment.

USING THIS KOLB AND FRY PROCEEDED TO

IDENTIFY FOUR BASIC LEARNING STYLES.

Here, each style is being locked into one style.

Converges are characterized by abstract conceptualization
and active experimentation. They are good at making
practical applications of ideas and using deductive
reasoning to solve problems.

Diverges tend toward concrete experience and

reflective observation. They are imaginative and are
good at coming up with ideas and seeing things from
different perspectives.

Assimilators are characterized by abstract conceptualization and

reflective observation. They are capable of creating theoretical
models by means of inductive reasoning.

Accommodators use concrete experience and

active experimentation. They are good at actively
engaging with the world and actually doing
things instead of merely reading about and
studying them.

TABLE 2.1
KOLB AND FRY ON LEARNING STYLES
Learning Style

Learning Characteristic

Description

Converger

Abstract
Conceptualization
+
Active Experimentation

Strong in practical
application of ideas
can focus hypo
deductive reasoning on
specific problems.
Unemotional
Has narrow interests.

Diverger

Concrete Experience
+
Reflective Observation

strong in imaginative
ability
good at generating
ideas and seeing things
from different
perspectives
Interested in people.
Broad cultural interests

Assimilator

Abstract

Conceptualisation
+
Reflective Observation

Accommodator

Concrete Experience
+
Active Experimentation

Strong ability to
create theoretical
models.
Excels in inductive
reasoning
Concerned with
abstract concepts
rather than people.

greatest strength is
doing things
more of a risk taker
Performs well when
required to react to
immediate
circumstances.
Solves problems
intuitively