Learning Styles and Modes of Learning

Presented by Celia Munson

(Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center)

There Are Many Models of Learning Styles

Here are three common ones.

Kolbs Learning Style Model

Diverging (feeling and watching - CE/RO) Assimilating (watching and thinking AC/RO) Converging (doing and thinking - AC/AE) Accommodating (doing and feeling CE/AE)

Honey and Mumford

Activists: 'Having an Experience' Reflectors: 'Reviewing the Experience' Theorists: 'Concluding from the Experience' Pragmatists: 'Planning the next steps'

McCarthy

Collaborative Learners: primarily interested in personal meaning. Analytic Learners: primarily interested in acquiring facts in order to deepen their understanding of concepts and processes. Common Sense Learners: primarily interested in how things work. Dynamic Learners: primarily interested in self-directed discovery.

These three are very similar

Kolb/ Lewin Honey/ Mumford Reflector Theorist McCarthy Collaborative Analytical Common-sense Accommodating Activist Diverging Assimilating

Converging

Pragmatist

Dynamic

We will focus on Natural Learning Styles as developed by Bernice McCarthy

Type 1: Collaborative Learner

Collaborative learners like to work and learn with other people. They like to talk/interact with others while learning. They like essay questions over fill in the blanks. They desire discussion.
The Collaborative Learner is at risk in many classrooms for two reasons. First, this learner is very good at looking at the broad picture but is not usually as good at details. The second characteristic that puts Collaborative Learners at risk is that they have to talk in order to learn. (LeFever, 133)

Type 2: Analytical Learner

Analytic learners fit into the category of good student or smart in most schools. This is because their learning style is most suited to the typical education done in classrooms. They tend to like to work alone and gather information. They like using a desk or table. They want to learn new facts.

Type 3: Common-Sense Learner

Common Sense learners also like to work alone. They are less concerned with facts as they are with solving problems. They like to work with their hands. They want things to be practical.

Type 4: Dynamic Learner

Dynamic learners like to brainstorm. They like to take learning to move into new territory. They are curious, using guesses or hunches to see where they go. They tend toward being creative and leaders within a group. They are future-oriented.

These Types of Learners relate to Systems of Learning

Collaborative Analytical relates to Feeling relates to Thinking

Common Sense relates to Doing Dynamic relates to Integration of the above

A teacher must be a dynamic synergist utilizing and integrating different systems and theories of learning. Cognitive Theories Humanistic Theories Behavioral Theories

Bringing It Together
Theories of Systems Learning of Learning Cognitive Thinking Learning Goal Target Learner

Knowledge/ Analytical Understanding Humanistic/ Feeling Attitude CollaborAffective ational Behavioral Doing Skill CommonSense Eclectic Integration Integration Dynamic

Modes of Learning
Related to learning styles is modes of learning (or methods of learning). What form of stimulus is most likely, by the student, to be taken in and incorporated in the learning process. There are different models for this, but we will talk about the simplest: VAK (or VAT/K)

VAK (or VAT/K)

V: Visual Learners (Remember 75% of what they see) A: Auditory Learners (Remember 75% of what they hear) T/K Tactile/Kinesthetic (Remembering is tied to touching and moving)

Therefore:
Know Thyself Know Thy Students
Knowing the type of learner and modality of learning you work best with, and knowing the same with your students will help you learn to adapt to be an effective teacher with all of your students (not just the ones similar to yourself).

LeFever Notes that the Types of Learners also Describe a Process of Learning. She calls this Natural Learning Process.

NLP Step #1
Prepare the class for learning. Help them understand why what is about to be studied is important. Begin with what they already know or feel or need. (LeFever,131) This is in the area of the Collaborative Learner. <The HOOK and HEART>

NLP Step 2
Teach new things. Provide the knowledge input into the class instruction. This is the most interesting part for the analytic learner. <The BOOK and HEAD>
BUT DONT STOP HERE!!

NLP Step 3
Test the new knowledge in a safe laboratory. Does this information apply? Is it useful? Does it work? This is where Common Sense learners shine. <The LOOK and HANDS>

NLP Step 4
Take it into the future. How can what was learned be used in the future. How does it affect their lives. How does it change the world and change who they are. This is where Dynamic learners tend to take over. <The TOOK and HABIT>

Epilogue Consider a passage from the Book of Deuteronomy, the Shema. This is Gods command in how to teach and train the children of the people of Israel.

Shema (Deut. 6:4-9)

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Think about it:

Systems of Learning Feeling Love God with all your heart

Thinking

Love God with all your mind

Love God with all your strength

Doing

Think about it:

Modes of Learning Auditory Hear, O Israel Talk about them

Visual

Visual symbols Write them down

Impress them, tie them, bind them When sitting/walking

Tactile/Kinesthetic

Think about it:

Learning Theories

Cognitive

Information: God is one. Talk about it. Memorize Commands.

Behavior: Mark head, hands, and doors as reminders. Obey commands

Behavioral

Humanistic

Feelings/Values: Change value system. Have individualized instruction and incorporate it with everyday behavior. Express Love.

Some References
Ford, LeRoy. Design for Teaching and Training: A Self-Study Guide to Lesson Planning. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2002.

Knight, Lizette. Maximum Learning and Teaching: Asian Perspectivee. Baguio City, Philippines, MLK Equip Publishing, 2009.
LeFever, Marlene. Learning Styles in Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the 21st Century, Michael Anthony, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.

LeFrancois, Guy R. Psychology for Teaching. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 1988.
Yount, William R. Learning Theory for Christian Teachers in Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the 21st Century, Michael Anthony, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001. Yount, William R. Called to Teach: An Introduction to the Ministry of Teaching. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 1999. Kolb Learning Styles, http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm

Learning Styles and Modes of Learning

Presented by Celia Munson
(Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center)