Preferred Learning Styles
Honey and Mumford (1992) identified what they refer to as four preferred learning styles, hence there is an associated learning style linked to each learning mode:
- Activist
- Reflector
- Theorist
Each learning style is associated with a set of observable characteristics and has associated strengths and weaknesses.
Learning Styles | Observable Characteristics | Strengths | Weaknesses |
Activists | · Try anything once
· Tend to revel in short-term crises and fire-fighting · Tend to thrive on new challenges · Become bored during implementation and over the longer-term · Constantly involve themselves with people |
· Flexible and open minded
· Happy to have a go · Happy to be exposed to new situations · Optimistic about anything new and therefore unlikely to resist change |
· Tendency to take the immediately obvious action without thinking
· Often take unnecessary risks · Tendency to do too much themselves and hog the limelight · Rush into action without sufficient preparation · Get bored with implementation/consolidation
|
Learning Styles | Observable Characteristics | Strengths | Weaknesses |
Reflectors | · Like to stand back and review experiences from different perspectives
· Collect and analyse data before drawing conclusions · Like to consider all possible angles and implications before making decisions · Tend to be cautious · Enjoy observing people in action · Often take a back seat in meetings |
· Careful
· Thorough and methodical · Thoughtful · Good at listening to others and assimilating information · Rarely jump to conclusions |
· Tendency to hold back from direct participation
· Slow to make up their minds and reach a decision · Tendency to be too cautious and not take enough risks · Non-assertive – not particularly forthcoming with small talk
|
Theorists | · Are keen on basic assumptions, principles, theories and models
· Value rationality and logic · Tend to be detached and analytical · Dislike subjectivity and ambiguity · Seek to make things fit into rational schemes and like things to be neat and tidy |
· Logical vertical thinkers
· Rational and objective · Good at asking probing questions · Disciplined decision making process |
· Restricted in lateral thinking
· Low tolerance for uncertainty, disorder and ambiguity · Intolerant of subjectivity or intuition · Full of ‘shoulds’, ‘oughts’ and ‘musts’
|
Learning Styles | Observable Characteristics | Strengths | Weaknesses |
Pragmatists | · Actively search out new ideas and techniques
· Like to experiment with ideas and applications · Respond to problems and opportSessionies as challenges · Like to get on with things and activities with a clear purpose |
· Keen to test things out in practice
· Practical, down to earth, realistic · Businesslike – get straight to the point · Technique oriented |
· Tendency to reject anything without an obvious application
· Not very interested in theory or basic principles · Tendency to seize on the first expedient solution to a problem · Impatient with waffle · On balance, task rather than people oriented |
Honey and Mumford argue that although people generally learn through a combination of two or more of the learning styles, most people have a dominant or preferred learning style.
Time to Reflect
Q: From the information provided above, which do you think is your preferred learning style?
Q: How can you use this insight to help you in planning your CPD?
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