What is my Learning Style?

Our Module 1 Handbook invites us to interrogate ourselves on: Who are we as learners?

A tricky question, to say the least, especially because I personally never really reflected on this before...

Little did I know that my little 'quest' to answer this, would serve me the response on a silver platter.

I started my Google search, as I normally would...and ELT popped up. In case you never heard of it (just like me a couple of hours ago), ELT stands for EXPERIENTAL LEARNING THEORY.

In a few words...learning by doing.

But of course, there is way much more to it than that.

Experiental learning focuses on the idea that the best way to learn is by actually having experiences, however experience alone does NOT produce a lot of learning.

Experiential learning requires deliberate effort to create new knowledge, and a conscious and aware intention to learn from our experience.

John Dewey, one of the founding fathers of experiential learning, argues that experience alone does not produce learning. It is necessary to reflect on experience to be able to draw out the meaning in it.

ELT aims to have a holistic approach to learning, intending to merge experience, perception, cognition & behaviour. 

Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle

In 1984, David Kolb published a learning styles model based on his proposition that Experiential Learning Theory works on two levels:

• A four-stage cycle of learning
• Four separate learning styles

According to Kolb, effective learning happens only when a person goes through all four stages of the cycle by:

1. Having a concrete experience
2. Reflecting on it
3. Forming an abstract concept based on this experience
4. Testing their hypothesis - leading to new concrete experiences

Based on their learning preferences, different people will enter Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle at different points. 

If you are curious to find out what your current learning preferences are, you can try taking this test.

I gave it a go, and as a result I found out that I have a moderate preference to enter the cycle as a Reflector (Reflective Observation) or a Theorist (Abstract Conceptualisation), a low preference to enter it as an Activist (Concrete Experience), and a VERY LOW preference to enter it as a Pragmatist (Active Experimentation).

I learn the best when I can read and discuss theories, and when I have to opportunity to observe and consider something before having to contribute to a conversation. I thrive when I am given the opportunity to delve deep into situations. And there is nothing more intellectually stimulating to me, than to be in a safe space where people can openly interact without the risk of strong feelings coming through.  

This is what the test told me about me as a learner...and to be honest, I believe that to be almost 100% true. Any of my closest friends would be able to confirm that.

But that is not all that I have discovered about myself today...

Kolb's Learning Styles

In his learning theory, Kolb identifies four distinct learning styles: Accommodating, Diverging, Converging & Assimilating.

These learning styles originate from individuals' learning preferences within the learning cycle. 

People's learning preferences are influenced by various factors, such as a person's culture, personality type, education, career...and so on. 

Learning Styles are the result of two pair of variables (or choices) that we make within the learning cycle. 

There are two perpendicular lines intersecting at the centre of Kolb's Learning Styles' Diagram:

• The horizontal axis, also known as processing continuum
• The vertical axis, or perception continuum

Kolb believed that we cannot perform both variables simultaneously on a single axis (e.g. thing and feel). So the two choices we make, one along the processing continuum, and one along the perception continuum, will determine our predominant Learning Style.

Here are the four possible combinations:

• Accommodating (CE/AE)
• Diverging (CE/RO)
• Converging (AC/AE)
• Assimilating (AC/RO)

The best way to identify your predominant Learning Style would be to undertake Kplb's 2005 LSI 3.1 test.

Sadly I haven't been able to find this official test online, but I have completed the Best-Fit Self-Assessment to have an idea.

Should you also want to give it a try, I will share it here.

As a result of this self-assessment I rated my Learning Styles as follows:

1. Diverging
2. Assimilating
3. Accommodating
4. Converging

I was genuinely surprised that Assimilating didn't come out as my predominant Learning Style, as it would be the natural outcome of Reflective Observation + Abstract Conceptualisation, which were my two main learning preferences in the previous test.

However, after reading the Learning Styles' descriptions, it made full sense to me.

Here are the brief descriptions I found on simplypsychology.org: 

Diverging (feeling and watching - CE/RO)

These people are able to look at things from different perspectives. They are sensitive. They prefer to watch rather than to do, tending to gather information and use imagination to solve problems. They are best at viewing concrete situations from several different viewpoints.Kolb called this style 'diverging' because these people perform better in situations that require ideas-generation, for example, brainstorming. People with a diverging learning style have broad cultural interests and like to gather information.They are interested in people, tend to be imaginative and emotional, and tend to be strong in the arts. People with diverging style prefer to work in groups, to listen with an open mind and to receive personal feedback.

Assimilating (watching and thinking - AC/RO)

The assimilating learning preference involves a concise, logical approach. Ideas and concepts are more important than people.These people require good clear explanation rather than a practical opportunity. They excel at understanding wide-ranging information and organising it in a clear, logical format. People with an assimilating learning style are less focused on people and more interested in ideas and abstract concepts. People with this style are more attracted to logically sound theories than approaches based on practical value. This learning style is important for effectiveness in information and science careers. In formal learning situations, people with this style prefer readings, lectures, exploring analytical models, and having time to think things through. 

Converging (doing and thinking - AC/AE) 

People with a converging learning style can solve problems and will use their learning to find solutions to practical issues. They prefer technical tasks, and are less concerned with people and interpersonal aspects. People with a converging learning style are best at finding practical uses for ideas and theories. They can solve problems and make decisions by finding solutions to questions and problems. People with converging learning style are more attracted to technical tasks and problems than social or interpersonal issues. A converging learning style enables specialist and technology abilities. People with a converging style like to experiment with new ideas, to simulate, and to work with practical applications.

Accommodating (doing and feeling - CE/AE) 

The Accommodating learning style is 'hands-on', and relies on intuition rather than logic. These people use other people's analysis, and prefer to take a practical, experiential approach. They are attracted to new challenges and experiences, and to carrying out plans. They commonly act on 'gut' instinct rather than logical analysis. People with an accommodating learning style will tend to rely on others for information than carry out their own analysis. This learning style is prevalent within the general population.

This was a truly thought provoking research, and I am really curious to see what more I'll find out about myself and others along this MA journey.

I wish you all a wonderful evening!

Thanks for reading,

Elly

The information for this Blog Post was gathered from: Clute Journal of Business and Economics Research, Institute for Experiential Learning, Simply Psychology, Weatherhead School of Management, Wentworth Institute of Technology & Western Governors University.