Learning Styles - Questionnaire

Do you know your own preferred learning style? This exercise can help you to
understand how you approach new ideas.
Try to decide how each of the statements in the following boxes refers to you.
Write four in the box of the statement in each row (19) that is closest to your
style.
Give three to the next closest, two to the third, and one to the statement that
least resembles your style.

A B C D
I like to take my
I like to get I am particular I like things to
1 involved
time before
about what I like be useful
acting

I like to analyse I like to look at

I like to try I am open to
2 things out
and break things
new experiences
all sides of the
into parts issues

I like to follow I like to be doing I like to think

3 I like to watch
my feelings things about things

I accept people
I like to be
and situations I like to take
4 the
aware of what is I like to evaluate
risks
around me
way they are
I have gut I am hard
I have a lot of
5 feelings and
questions
I am logical working and get
hunches things done

I like concrete
things which I I like ideas and
6 can see, smell,
I like to be active I like to observe
theories
touch and feel

I prefer learning I like to consider I like to see the

I tend to think
7 in the here and things and
about the future
results of my
now reflect on them work

I rely on own I rely on my

I have to try
I rely on my own observations - feelings - I seem
8 things for
ideas ideas I have to know what
myself
seen others use works

I am quiet and I am energetic I tend to reason I am responsible

9 reserved and enthusiastic things out about things
Learning Style - Scores

Use the grid below to summarize your score on the learning inventory. Write the score you have
given yourself beside the appropriate number, and then total each column:

Pragmatist Reflector Theorist Activist

1A 1B 2B 2A

2C 2D 3D 3C

3B 3A 4C 6B

4A 6C 6D 7D

8D 8C 8B 8A

9B 9A 9C 9D

TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL

hink

You will probably have a higher score in one or two styles. Reflect for a moment on whether your
preferred learning style has a significant impact on the way you learn. Might there be occasions
where you would be better adopting another style but do not feel comfortable with it? Many
coaches depend on one style of learning and so find it difficult to get maximum benefit from
potential learning situations.

It is important to note that there is no best learning style. Those who can learn in a variety of
ways are able to choose the style best suited to the material in question. Helping a learner
develop new learning styles may be an important part of learning and so learning styles could
well be a fruitful topic for mentors to explore with coaches.

These questionnaire was taken from the sports coach UK resource Guide to Mentoring
Sports Coaches (page x)
Learning Styles

Activists (DO):

Open minded, not sceptical. Tends to make them enthusiastic about everything new
Their philosophy is Ill try anything once
They fill their days with activity, tackle problems by brainstorming
Activists are likely to learn from activities where:
o Its appropriate to have a go
o You get involved and have the limelight
o You are thrown in the deep end
o There is a lot of excitement and a range of challenging things to tackle
usually involving people

Reflectors (REVIEW)

Like to stand back and consider experiences, observing from different perspectives
and listening to others before making own comments.
Thorough collection and analysis about experiences and events is what counts, so
tend to postpone reaching definitive conclusions for as long as possible
When they act its part of a larger picture that includes the past as well as the
present, others observations as well as their own
Reflectors are likely to learn from situations where:
o Can stand back from events, listen and observe
o Can carry out research or analysis
o Decide in own time, chance to think before act
o Opportunity to review what have learnt

Theorists (CONCLUDE)

Adapt the integrate observations into complex but logically sound theories, thinking
through problems in a step by step way
Tend to be perfectionists who are uncomfortable unless things are tidy and fit into
rational scheme
Keen on basic assumptions, principles, theories, models and systems
Theorists are likely to learn best when:
o Intellectually stretched (allowed to question)
o Situation has structure and clear purpose
o Deal with logical, rational arguments with time to explore
o Offered interesting concepts, although may not be immediately relevant

Pragmatists (PLAN):

Keen on trying out theories, ideas and techniques to see if it works in practice
Positively search out new ideas and take first opportunity to experiment
Get on with things and act quickly and confidently, impatient with extensive
discussion
Pragmatists like to learn from situations where:
o Use techniques with obvious practical benefits
o Can implement what learnt immediately
o Try out and practice techniques
o See relevance