Learning Styles

Reflective and Active Learners

Felder suggests that students are always either reflective or active learners.  Active learners tend to retain knowledge and develop an understanding through directly participating in an activity, where as Reflective learners need to process the information first and think it over.

According to the Learning Style test http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html I have a moderate tendency to be an active learner. Felder suggests that in order help me better learn I should take steps to work in a study group where we talk over information and tasks, before engaging in them. This would help me to develop reflective skills.

Sensing and Intuitive Learners

Sensing students tend to focus on facts and routines, where as intuitive students like to explore extra possibilities and new concepts.

My learning style test demonstrated that I sit in the middle of the two styles, neither preferring either of the two learning styles. This means that I am well balanced – I focus on facts as well as the wider concepts.

Visual and Verbal learners

Felder suggests that students tend to be wither Visual or Verbal learners. This is fairly self explanatory – Visual learners learn best through observing information and data in the form or pictures and diagrams, where as Verbal learners prefer written or spoken material.

I have always felt that I am a Visual learner, and this was supported by the learning style test which showed that I have a very strong preference for learning through visual material. Felder explains that good learners should be capable of learning material which is presented both Visually and Verbally, however I find it very hard to learn by simply reading or listening. To help myself learn by using Verbal material I could represent any written or spoken information in the form of concept maps.

Sequential and Global Learners

Sequential learners build an understanding through following logical steps, where as Global learners prefer jump through information randomly, building up a big picture until they suddenly ‘get it’.

My learning style test revealed that I prefer learning through both styles. Sometimes I follow sequential steps and sometimes I skip steps until I see the bigger picture. I think this reflects how I learn – Sometimes I follow a sequence of steps, then I get fed up and skip to the end!