four learning preferences

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The Four Learning Preferences

LnC - 2010


Activist-Reflector-Theorist-Pragmatist

Richard Kusnadi 01120100032


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There are four learning preferences / styles that Honey and Mumford found :

Activist, Reflector, Theorist and Pragmatist. These styles are directly aligned to the

stages in the cycle.

Diagram of Honey and Mumfords learning styles

The DefinitionIf you are an Activist -

you will probably want to get involved in a project or specific assignment to develop

the skills on the job. Tackling very practical open and flexible learning programs, or

activity-based training courses will be most suitable for you.

*Activists involve themselves fully and without bias in new experiences. They enjoy the

here and now, and are happy to be dominated by immediate experiences. They are

open-minded, not skeptical, and this tends to make them enthusiastic about anything

new. Their philosophy is: "Ill try anything once". They tend to act first and consider the

consequences afterwards. Their days are filled with activity. They tackle problems by

brainstorming. As soon as the excitement from one activity has died down they are

busy looking for the next. They tend to thrive on the challenge of new experiences but


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are bored with implementation and longer term consolidation. They are gregarious

people constantly involving themselves with others but, in doing so, they seek to centre

all activities around themselves.

If you are a Reflector

You will appreciate working closely with someone experienced in this area, and

learning through observation and discussing your reflections and plans with a

mentor. You will also learn much from books, articles and case studies.

Reflectors like to stand back to ponder experiences and observe them from many

different perspectives. They collect data, both first hand and from others, and prefer to

think about it thoroughly before coming to a conclusion. The thorough collection andanalysis of data about experiences and events is what counts so they tend to postpone

reaching definitive conclusions for as long as possible. Their philosophy is to be

cautious. They are thoughtful people who like to consider all possible angles and

implications before making a move. They prefer to take a back seat in meetings and

discussions. They enjoy observing other people in action. They listen to others and get

the drift of the discussion before making their own points. They tend to adopt a low

profile and have a slightly distant, tolerant unruffled air about them. When they act it

is part of a wide picture which includes the past as well as the present and others

observations as well as their own.

If you are a Theorist

You will most value theory-based courses with well-qualified and experienced

trainers, well-written books and articles.

*Theorists adapt and integrate observations into complex but logically sound theories.

They think problems through in a vertical, step-by-step logical way. They assimilate

disparate facts into coherent theories. They tend to be perfectionists who wont rest

easy until things are tidy and fit into a rational scheme. They like to analyze and

synthesize. They are keen on basic assumptions, principles, theories models and


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systems thinking. Their philosophy prizes rationality and logic. "If its logical its good."

Questions they frequently ask are: "Does it make sense?" "How does this fit with that?"

"What are the basic assumptions?" They tend to be detached, analytical and dedicated

to rational objectivity rather than anything subjective or ambiguous. Their approach

to problems is consistently logical. This is their mental set and they rigidly reject

anything that doesnt fit with it. They prefer to maximize certainty and feel

uncomfortable with subjective judgments, lateral thinking and anything flippant.

If you are a Pragmatist

You will find that succinct, practical books and open and flexible learning are goodways of quickly putting new learning to practical use. You will be particularly

attracted to working on real-life projects and appreciate the help of someone who

can give you some valuable feedback and coaching.

*Pragmatists are keen on trying out ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work

in practice. They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to

experiment with applications. They are the sorts of people who return from courses

brimming with new ideas that they want to try out in practice. They like to get on with

things and act quickly and confidently on ideas that attract them. They tend to be

impatient with ruminating and open-ended discussions. They are essentially practical,

down to earth people who like making practical decisions and solving problems. They

respond to problems and opportunities as a challenge. Their philosophy is "There is

always a better way" and "If it works it's good".

Activist Pragmatist

Suited to experiential rather than lectures

Not keen on implementation

Favors independence

Could undertake more research

Reflector Theorist


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Conscientious but hard to get started

Assimilates information

Much time spent working it out

Much redrafting

Detailed investigators

3.0Your Learning Style

Honey and Mumford (1982) devised an influential self-test, which indicates

whetheryou are predominantly an activist, a reflector, a theorist, or a pragmatist.

There arewebsites where you can take a test but you will probably get just as

good an ideaabout your learning style (and those of your colleagues) by reading

what each type likesand loathes.

3.1 Activists

Activists learn best from activities in which there are:

New experiences and challenges from which to learn

Short here and now tasks involving competitive teamwork and problem solving

Excitement, change and variety

High visibility tasks such as chairing meetings, leading discussions

andpresentations

Situations in which new ideas can be developed without constraints of policy and

structure

Opportunities for just having a go.

Activists learn least from, and may react against, activities where:

They have a passive role (lectures, instructions, reading)

They are observers

They are required to assimilate, analyze and interpret lots of 'messy' data

They must work in a solitary way (reading and writing alone) Statements are theoretical - an explanation of cause

There is considerable repetition (practicing the same skill)

There are precise instructions with little room for man oeuvre

They must be thorough, and tie up loose ends.


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3.2 Reflectors

Reflectors learn best from activities where they:

Are allowed or encouraged to watch / think / ponder on activities

Have time to think before acting, to assimilate before commenting

Can carry out careful, detailed research

Have time to review their learning

Need to produce carefully considered analyses and reports

Are helped to exchange views with other people without danger, by

prioragreement, within a structured learning experience

Can reach a decision without pressure and tight deadlines.

Reflectors learn least from, and may react against, activities where:

They feel forced into the limelight

They must act without time for planning

They are asked for an instant reaction, or off the cuff thoughts

They are given insufficient data on which to base a conclusion

In the interests of expediency, they have to make short cuts or do a superficial job.

3.3Theorists

Theorists learn best from activities where:

What is being offered is part of a system, model, concept or theory

They can explore methodically the associations and interrelationships

betweenideas, events and situations

They can question and probe the basic methodology, assumptions or logic

They are intellectually stretched, e.g. by being asked to analyze and evaluate,thengeneralize

They are in structured situations with a clear purpose

They see interesting ideas and concepts, whether or not they are

immediatelyrelevant.


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Theorists learn least from, and may react against, activities where they:

Have no apparent context or purpose

Have to participate in situations emphasizing emotions and feelings

Are involved in unstructured activities where ambiguity and uncertainty are high

Are asked to act or decide without a basis in policy, principle or concept

Are faced with a hotchpotch of alternative or contradictory techniques or

methodswithout exploring any in depth

Doubt that the subject matter is methodologically sound

Feel out of tune with other participants, for example when they are with lots

ofactivists.

3.4 Pragmatists

Pragmatists learn best from activities where:

There is an obvious link between the subject matter and a real life problem

They are shown techniques for doing things with obvious practical advantages

They have the chance to try out and practice techniques with coaching or

feedbackfrom a credible expert

They see a model they can emulate, or examples / anecdotes

They are given techniques currently applicable to their own work

They are given immediate opportunities to implement what they have learned

They can concentrate on practical issues, such as drawing up action plans or

givingtips to others.

Pragmatists learn least from, and may react against, activities where:

The learning is not related to an immediate need they recognizeOrganizers of the learning seem distant from reality

There are no clear guidelines

They feel people are going round in circles rather than getting to the point


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There are political, organizational, managerial or personal obstacles

toimplementation

There is no apparent reward from the learning activity, for example higher grades!


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References

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_styles#Honey_and_Mumford.E2.80.99s_model

2. http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:JfiKpCWtaugJ:www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/studyguides/Learning%2520Styles.doc+honey+and+mumford+

styles&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShANTRBFq9s-day8gLfApHZo2iTw53-

q0nFi187YvLrdsuQokBLbj_MMXlhr_avddnYsbBY3NXvGS62QYFICCL6tCgRI9J

zZV9szz1FV2yfZurkLxh5D36rLrAcbsYGTViFH-

O7&sig=AHIEtbROZ6yX1Z7RuDOhRgAtAQy4oQe6Xw

3. http://www.pd-how2.org/2_8.htm4. http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/experience.htm5. http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:S2XQc_T4ezoJ:www.heacade

my.ac.uk/assets/hlst/documents/johlste/vol6n02/154_huang_vol6no2.pdf+

activist+reflector+theorist+pragmatist+chart&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEES

hz_q0q-

nRoTXZ_01tUuyUwpkJmL8mhuNcgJJ4OQeYAjYiLRK7SrPADZ_bHAxg3Ok-

FmifhCx4S9uDqPKaubxL2bpeT3Gpr4RupW5EAUFFwRiUwbDKCV-

s_V5q9ZuPOcqj1eRfh&sig=AHIEtbQIivmKgahHv8u9zm10p8lnPrwxL


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http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:GG144GYa8EQJ:www.cusu.cam.ac.uk/acade

mic/exams/learningstyles.pdf+activist+reflector+theorist+pragmatist+chart&hl=en&pid=bl

&srcid=ADGEESjNlf1gtO9uNd4EROOiKZ9QZsgUYdHEHOodmtN8xj-NXj9R2-


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QSDd1F3BoHZW4m&sig=AHIEtbSzkebzWektUDGoPsJuGE22v9-HtA

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