Learning styles and learning to learn
Overview
Everyone has different learning styles.
As everyone has their own personal preferences for perceiving and processing information, so to do we have our own preferences for delivering and receiving learning. Not everyone enjoys lengthy lectures or learning online, but then again, some people do prefer to learn using these means.
Your learning style will also influence you leading style, especially when it comes to developing staff. Some like to work one-on-one with trainees and encourage them to learn through active modelling and experimentation. This is typified by the coaching model. Other trainers prefer to stand at the front of a classroom and convey their knowledge through lectures or PowerPoint presentations.
This topic will examine your learning style through use of a learning style inventory (LSI), Personal Styles, and Multiple Intelligences tests. We will also examine how your learning style will affect how you study and, in particular, learn online.
Study in this chapter will therefore span not only the theory, but give you insights and tips on applied practice that can assist learning and study during this and subsequent courses.
Learning objectives
After completing the work for this chapter you should be able to:
- Compare and contrast learning styles
- Profile personal learning styles
- Identify weaknesses and symptoms for poor learning styles
- Establish the relationship between a person's intelligence and learning styles
- Explore how multiple intelligence(s) can affect learning and performance
- Examine multiple intelligences
- Apply appropriate study skills in both physical and online learning modes
