session - learning styles v2.0
DESCRIPTION
A brief presentation on learning styles by David ThomasTRANSCRIPT
Learning Styles
Coursework OneSkills Audit
Prepare a 2,000 word Skills Audit and Personal profile, identifying areas of development. List relevant targets and objectives should be set, with an indicative timeline for achievement. You are only allowed to go above or
below this word count by 10% otherwise marks may be deducted. Marks will be awarded as follows: • YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS, ATTRIBUTES AND BEHAVIOURS (20%)• OVERVIEW OF 2 PERSONALITY PROFILES (10%)• SKILLS GAPS (10%)• AREAS TO IMPROVE (10%)• SMART TARGETS TO ADDRESS THE ABOVE AREAS (20%)• RESOURCES, TRAINING AND OPPORTUNITIES (10%)• SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS (10%)• STRUCTURE, STYLE, PRESENTATION, LANGUAGE (10%)
The First Assignment• The deadline for submission:
– CW1 - 7th November @ 23.55hrs
• How you will submit it– NO paper copies– Only via Turnitin– Only one date, NO late submissions!
• CW1 worth 60%
• You must attempt it otherwise there may be consequences
• I would strongly advise that you all check your Moodle page to ensure you can see the Turnitin link
4
Mr. Nice Guy!
So before you get too stressed about it I will not be setting any big tasks for you to do (unless you want to do them) before the first coursework is due for submission.
That excludes the GEW task of course which needs to be an on going project if you want to be in with any chance of winning that £1000 prize!
PENS AWAY
• Without writing this down, I will show you some letters that I want you to remember…
• See how many you can recall
• Ready…
PENS AWAY
aaysasmjptc
PENS AWAY
Video time…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CEr2GfGilw
Which Way?
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONSuses logicdetail orientedfacts rulewords and languagepresent and pastmath and sciencecan comprehendknowingacknowledgesorder/pattern perceptionknows object namereality basedforms strategiespracticalsafe
ClockwiseAnti - Clockwise
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONSuses feeling"big picture" orientedimagination rulessymbols and imagespresent and futurephilosophy & religioncan "get it" (i.e. meaning)believesappreciatesspatial perceptionknows object functionfantasy basedpresents possibilitiesimpetuousrisk taking
PENS AWAY
So… how many letters can/did you remember?
PENS AWAY
aaysasmjptc
How did you remember them?
• Did you make the letters into words, and memorise the sounds ‘ay-sir’ and ‘smidge-ptk’?
• Did you memorise the visual pattern made by the letters?
• Did you make a mnemonic, like ‘anarchists annoy your sour aunt’ or ‘smart mice jump past the cat’?
• Did you use some other strategy?
*Assuming you did not cheat…
SOLUTION
aaysasmjptc
If you read the two groups of letters (starting with the bottom right letter and zig-zagging as you read towards the left) it spells ‘cats pyjamas’
Patterns help us learn
• If we understand something, it’s process, application, meaning, we are more likely to learn…
• What is the pattern?
acegijlnprtvxz
Patterns help us learnIf we understand something, it’s process,
application, meaning, we are more likely to learn…
• What is the pattern?
acegijlnprtvxz
Answer:Every other letter is missed out, until ‘i’ which is
directly followed by j…
Patterns help us learn
If we understand something, it’s process, application, meaning, we are more likely to learn…
What is the pattern?
z l t x z l t x z t x z l t x
Patterns help us learn
If we understand something, it’s process, application, meaning, we are more likely to learn…
What is the pattern?
z l t x z l t x z t x z l t x
Answer:
The circle is missing in the 3rd occurrence
Patterns help us learn
Which of these did you fine easier? Letters or pictures?
If you can identify patterns you are able to become a more efficient learner – especially in environments where you often have to piece the pieces together
Learning Styles
How many of you consider yourselves to be logical thinkers?
Try this out to see if you’re right
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLZAlp0if3M
University LearningAt university you must understand your learning style
because:– You need to identify the gaps in your own knowledge and fill them
yourselves
– You will have to push yourself harder, the staff may not force you to learn
– You decide if you want to learn, it is easier to waste 3 years of your life and learn nothing
– You need to be organised, you will not be baby-sat through deadlines and assignments
– This type of learning is unlike anything else you have done
– It may be de-motivating to be in a class where you do not know how to learn
Learning to learn
By understanding our learning styles we can learn to learn. The environment and circumstances around you are unlikely to change, therefore you need to understand how you can make the most of something in order to ensure that you are learning…
Learning StylesHoney & Mumford (1982) developed a self-
assessment for learning style… which of the following best suits you:
1. Activist2. Reflector3. Theorist4. Pragmatist
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 and presentations– 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, analyse 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 (practising the same skill)– there are precise instructions with little room for manoeuvre– they must be thorough, and tie up loose ends.
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 prior
agreement, 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.
Theorists• 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 between ideas,
events and situations– they can question and probe the basic methodology, assumptions or logic– they are intellectually stretched, e.g. by being asked to analyse and evaluate, then
generalise– they are in structured situations with a clear purpose– they see interesting ideas and concepts, whether or not they are immediately relevant.
• Theorists learn least from, and may react against, activities where they:– have no apparent context or purpose– have to participate in situations emphasising 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 methods
without 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 of activists.
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 practise techniques with coaching or feedback from 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 giving tips to
others.
• Pragmatists learn least from, and may react against, activities where:
– the learning is not related to an immediate need they recognise– organisers 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– there are political, organisational, managerial or personal obstacles to implementation– there is no apparent reward from the learning activity, for example higher grades!
Learning Styles
1. Activist2. Reflector3. Theorist4. Pragmatist
Learning StylesThere are a wide range of additional learning styles and
tests you can take. I like to think many of you came to University to learn…
In order to do that you need to really understand how you learn, and how you can build the bridges from lectures to learning – this is why you have 4 hours per week per module of self study…
If you do not do that… well it is your choice (but don’t expect results)
Learning Styles
• Learning is not limited to education…
• What informal learning might you experience when running a business?
Learning StylesOnce you know your own natural learning
preference, you can work on expanding the way you learn, so that you can learn in other ways, not just in your preferred style.
And, by understanding learning styles, you can learn to create an environment in which everyone can learn from you, not just those who use your preferred style.
Index of Learning Styles
HOMEWORK
Complete the 2 minute test…
• http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.phpl
Learning StylesDavid T
X
X
X
Index of Learning StylesIf your score on a scale is 1-3, you are fairly well balanced on
the two dimensions of that scale.
If your score on a scale is 5-7, you have a moderate preference for one dimension of the scale and will learn more easily in a teaching environment which favors that dimension.
If your score on a scale is 9-11, you have a very strong preference for one dimension of the scale. You may have real difficulty learning in an environment which does not support that preference.
Index of Learning Styles
• Complete the 2 minute test…• http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.phpl
• Use this page to understand the outcomes...• http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm
• Prove you did the work in the module forum
Next LectureDO NOT be tempted not to turn up for our next lecture simply because you have an
assignment to complete and submit the next day and you really could do with the time, because it takes you ten minutes to get out of bed and 20 minutes each way to get to uni so by not attending you will save yourself or even find an additional 50 minutes on top of the two hours the lecture will take.
So I will get up extra early and use this newly found 2 hrs 50 minutes to really get to grips with the task and do the best I possibly can because I really want a first class honours degree and this is the best way I can think of to go about getting one!
After all I’m paying for this so they really should set time frames that are more sensible and take into account our busy work schedule from all our other lectures and coursework assignments for them too, not too mention our hectic social lives, I mean it can’t all be work, work, work, right?
WRONG!
