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Writer's pictureSara Sutherland

SCIENCE OF LEARNING PART 5 – ASSESSING YOUR LEARNING STYLE: TESTS AND TOOLS






I. Introduction: The Value of Assessing Personal Learning Style


Understanding oneself is the cornerstone of effective learning. Just as individuals have unique personalities, they also possess distinct learning styles that dictate how they best absorb and retain information. Assessing one's learning style is not about boxing oneself into a specific category but about understanding one's preferences and tendencies. This insight can prove invaluable in tailoring study techniques, ensuring more efficient and enjoyable learning experiences.



II. Overview of Popular Learning Style Assessments


1. VARK Questionnaire: An acronym for Visual, Aural, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic, the VARK questionnaire identifies students who prefer to learn by:


● Visual means (charts, graphs, diagrams)

● Aural or auditory methods (lectures, discussions)

● Read/Write (reading/writing assignments, lists)

● Kinesthetic (hands-on activities, experiments)


2. Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles (ILS): Designed by Richard Felder and Linda Soloman, this tool assesses preferences on four dimensions:


●Sensing-Intuition: Sensing learners like facts, data, and experiments, while intuitive learners prefer theories and abstract concepts.

●Visual-Verbal: Visual learners remember best what they see, whereas verbal learners benefit from spoken or written explanations.

● Active-Reflective: Active learners process information by discussing or explaining it, while reflective learners prefer to think about it quietly.

●Sequential-Global: Sequential learners understand linear steps, while global learners tend to grasp information in large jumps.


3. Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles: Based on Kolb's experiential learning theory, this model classifies learners into:


● Activists: Prefer hands-on experiences.

● Reflectors: Like to observe and consider all options before taking action.

●Theorists: Need to understand theories behind actions.

● Pragmatists: Need to see a practical application for what they are learning.



III. Interpreting Results and Implementing Strategies Based on Findings

Once you've taken a learning style assessment, it's crucial to:


1. Reflect on the Results: Sometimes, the outcomes may align with your perceptions, but occasionally they might offer a new perspective on your learning habits.


2. Create a Tailored Study Plan: If you're a visual learner, incorporate more charts, diagrams, or mind maps into your notes. For kinesthetic learners, try to understand concepts by doing - this might involve hands-on experiments or using flashcards.


3. Experiment and Evolve: It's not about rigidly sticking to one style. Sometimes, the nature of what you're studying might require a different approach. Being versatile and adaptable is key.


4. Engage with Others: If you're an aural learner, discussing topics with peers can solidify your understanding. On the other hand, read/write learners might benefit from summarizing their knowledge in essays or lists.



IV. Critiques and Limitations of Learning Style Assessments


While learning style assessments can provide valuable insights, they're not without their critics.


1. Oversimplification: Categorizing learners into specific styles might oversimplify the complex nature of human cognition. Learning is multifaceted, and while these tools offer a lens, they don't capture the whole picture.


2. Lack of Empirical Support: Some studies suggest that teaching students based on their learning styles doesn't significantly improve their performance. What matters more is the teaching method's quality and appropriateness to the material.


3. Potential for Stereotyping: There's a risk that students might pigeonhole themselves into one style and become resistant to other methods of learning.


4. Dynamic Nature of Learning: One's preferred learning style can evolve over time and across different contexts. A method that works for one subject might not be as effective for another.




CONCLUSION


Learning style assessments, while offering a window into our learning preferences, are tools rather than determinants. They provide a starting point, a nudge towards introspection, and a framework for understanding. The real magic happens when learners take this knowledge, combine it with self-awareness, and craft a personalized, dynamic learning journey.

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