Learning Styles Learning Styles and Modes of and Modes of LearningLearning

Presented by Celia MunsonPresented by Celia Munson(Bukal Life Care & Counseling (Bukal Life Care & Counseling

Center)Center)

There Are Many There Are Many Models of Learning Models of Learning

StylesStyles

Here are three Here are three common ones.common ones.

Kolb’s Learning Style Kolb’s Learning Style ModelModel

Diverging (feeling and watching Diverging (feeling and watching - CE/RO)- CE/RO)

Assimilating (watching and Assimilating (watching and thinking - AC/RO)thinking - AC/RO)

Converging (doing and thinking Converging (doing and thinking - AC/AE)- AC/AE)

Accommodating (doing and Accommodating (doing and feeling - CE/AE)feeling - CE/AE)

Honey and MumfordHoney and Mumford

Activists: 'Having an Activists: 'Having an Experience'Experience'

Reflectors: 'Reviewing the Reflectors: 'Reviewing the Experience'Experience'

Theorists: 'Concluding from Theorists: 'Concluding from the Experience'the Experience'

Pragmatists: 'Planning the Pragmatists: 'Planning the next steps'next steps'

McCarthyMcCarthy Collaborative Learners:Collaborative Learners: primarily primarily interested in personal meaning.interested in personal meaning.

Analytic Learners:Analytic Learners: primarily primarily interested in acquiring facts in interested in acquiring facts in order to deepen their understanding order to deepen their understanding of concepts and processes. of concepts and processes.

Common Sense Learners:Common Sense Learners: primarily primarily interested in how things work.interested in how things work.

Dynamic Learners:Dynamic Learners: primarily primarily interested in self-directed interested in self-directed discovery. discovery.

These three are very These three are very similarsimilar……

Kolb/ LewinKolb/ Lewin Honey/Honey/

MumfordMumfordMcCarthyMcCarthy

AccommodatAccommodatinging

ActivistActivist CollaboratiCollaborativeve

DivergingDiverging ReflectorReflector AnalyticalAnalytical

AssimilatiAssimilatingng

TheoristTheorist Common-Common-sensesense

ConvergingConverging PragmatisPragmatistt

DynamicDynamic

We will focus on “Natural We will focus on “Natural Learning Styles” as Learning Styles” as developed by Bernice developed by Bernice

McCarthyMcCarthy

Type 1: Collaborative Type 1: Collaborative LearnerLearner

Collaborative learners like to work Collaborative learners like to work and learn with other people. They and learn with other people. They like to talk/interact with others like to talk/interact with others while learning. They like essay while learning. They like essay questions over fill in the blanks. questions over fill in the blanks. They desire discussion.They desire discussion.

  ““The Collaborative Learner is at risk in many The Collaborative Learner is at risk in many classrooms for two reasons. First, this learner classrooms for two reasons. First, this learner is very good at looking at the broad picture but is very good at looking at the broad picture but is not usually as good at details. … The second is not usually as good at details. … The second characteristic that puts Collaborative Learners characteristic that puts Collaborative Learners at risk is that they have to talk in order to at risk is that they have to talk in order to learn.” (LeFever, 133)learn.” (LeFever, 133)

Type 2: Analytical Type 2: Analytical LearnerLearner

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

Type 3: Common-Sense Type 3: Common-Sense LearnerLearner

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

Type 4: Dynamic Type 4: Dynamic LearnerLearner

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

These Types of Learners These Types of Learners relate to Systems of relate to Systems of

LearningLearningCollaborativeCollaborative relates torelates to FeelingFeeling

  

AnalyticalAnalytical relates torelates to ThinkingThinking

  

Common SenseCommon Sense relates to relates to DoingDoing

  

DynamicDynamic relates to relates to Integration Integration of the aboveof the above

A teacher must be a A teacher must be a “dynamic synergist” “dynamic synergist”

utilizing and integrating utilizing and integrating different systems and different systems and theories of learning.theories of learning.

Cognitive Theories

Humanistic Theories

Behavioral Theories

Bringing It TogetherBringing It Together

Theories Theories of of LearningLearning

Systems Systems of of LearninLearningg

Learning Learning GoalGoal

Target Target LearnerLearner

CognitivCognitivee

ThinkinThinkingg

KnowledgeKnowledge/ / UnderstanUnderstandingding

AnalyticAnalyticalal

HumanistHumanistic/ ic/ AffectivAffectivee

FeelingFeeling AttitudeAttitude CollaborCollabor-ational-ational

BehaviorBehavioralal

DoingDoing SkillSkill Common-Common-SenseSense

EclecticEclectic IntegraIntegrationtion

IntegratiIntegrationon

DynamicDynamic

Modes of LearningModes of Learning

Related to learning styles is Related to learning styles is modes of learning (or methods of modes of learning (or methods of learning). What form of stimulus learning). What form of stimulus is most likely, by the student, is most likely, by the student, to be taken in and incorporated to be taken in and incorporated in the learning process.in the learning process.

There are different models for There are different models for this, but we will talk about the this, but we will talk about the simplest: simplest: VAK (or VAT/K)VAK (or VAT/K)

VAK (or VAT/K)VAK (or VAT/K)

V: Visual Learners (Remember V: Visual Learners (Remember 75% of what they see)75% of what they see)

A: Auditory Learners (Remember A: Auditory Learners (Remember 75% of what they hear)75% of what they hear)

T/K Tactile/Kinesthetic T/K Tactile/Kinesthetic (Remembering is tied to (Remembering is tied to touching and moving)touching and moving)

Therefore:Therefore:

Know ThyselfKnow Thy Students

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

LeFever Notes that LeFever Notes that the Types of the Types of Learners also Learners also

Describe a Process Describe a Process of Learning. She of Learning. She

calls this “Natural calls this “Natural Learning Process.”Learning Process.”

NLP Step #1NLP Step #1

Prepare the class for learning. Prepare the class for learning. Help them “understand why what Help them “understand why what is about to be studied is is about to be studied is important. … Begin with what important. … Begin with what they already know or feel or they already know or feel or need.” (LeFever,131) This is in need.” (LeFever,131) This is in the area of the Collaborative the area of the Collaborative Learner. Learner.

<The “HOOK” and “HEART”><The “HOOK” and “HEART”>

NLP Step 2NLP Step 2

Teach new things. Provide the Teach new things. Provide the knowledge input into the knowledge input into the class instruction. This is class instruction. This is the most interesting part the most interesting part for the analytic learner. for the analytic learner.

<The “BOOK” and “HEAD”><The “BOOK” and “HEAD”>

…………BUT DON’T STOP HERE!! BUT DON’T STOP HERE!!

NLP Step 3NLP Step 3

Test the new knowledge in a Test the new knowledge in a “safe laboratory”. Does this “safe laboratory”. Does this information apply? Is it information apply? Is it useful? Does it work? This useful? Does it work? This is where Common Sense is where Common Sense learners shine.learners shine.

<The “LOOK” and <The “LOOK” and “HANDS”>“HANDS”>

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

<The “TOOK” and “HABIT”><The “TOOK” and “HABIT”>

EpilogueEpilogue

Consider a passage from Consider a passage from the Book of Deuteronomy, the Book of Deuteronomy, the “Shema”. This is the “Shema”. This is God’s command in how to God’s command in how to teach and train the teach and train the children of the people children of the people of Israel.of Israel.

Shema (Deut. 6:4-9)Shema (Deut. 6:4-9)

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

Think about it:Think about it: Systems of LearningSystems of Learning

FeelingFeeling Love God with all Love God with all your heartyour heart

ThinkingThinking Love God with all Love God with all your mindyour mind

DoingDoing Love God with all Love God with all your strengthyour strength

Think about it:Think about it: Modes of LearningModes of Learning

AuditoryAuditory Hear, O IsraelHear, O Israel

Talk about them Talk about them

VisualVisual Visual symbolsVisual symbols

Write them down Write them down

Tactile/Tactile/KinestheticKinesthetic

Impress them, tie Impress them, tie them, bind themthem, bind them

When When sitting/walking sitting/walking

Think about it:Think about it: Learning TheoriesLearning Theories

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

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

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

Some ReferencesSome ReferencesFord, LeRoy. Ford, LeRoy. Design for Teaching and Training: A Self-Study Guide Design for Teaching and Training: A Self-Study Guide

to Lesson Planningto Lesson Planning. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2002.. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2002.

Knight, Lizette. Knight, Lizette. Maximum Learning and Teaching: Asian Perspectivee. Maximum Learning and Teaching: Asian Perspectivee. Baguio City, Philippines, MLK Equip Publishing, 2009.Baguio City, Philippines, MLK Equip Publishing, 2009.

  LeFever, Marlene. “Learning Styles” in LeFever, Marlene. “Learning Styles” in Introducing Christian Introducing Christian

Education: Foundations for the 21st CenturyEducation: Foundations for the 21st Century, Michael Anthony, , Michael Anthony, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.

  LeFrancois, Guy R. LeFrancois, Guy R. Psychology for TeachingPsychology for Teaching. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth . Belmont, CA: Wadsworth

Publishing, 1988.Publishing, 1988.  Yount, William R. “Learning Theory for Christian Teachers” in Yount, William R. “Learning Theory for Christian Teachers” in

Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the 21st Introducing Christian Education: Foundations for the 21st CenturyCentury, Michael Anthony, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, , Michael Anthony, ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2001.2001.

  Yount, William R. Yount, William R. Called to Teach: An Introduction to the Ministry Called to Teach: An Introduction to the Ministry

of Teachingof Teaching. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 1999.. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 1999.

““Kolb Learning Styles,” Kolb Learning Styles,” http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htmhttp://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm

Learning Styles Learning Styles and Modes of and Modes of LearningLearning

Presented by Celia MunsonPresented by Celia Munson(Bukal Life Care & Counseling (Bukal Life Care & Counseling

Center)Center)