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Version 2 – David Sugden

E-Learning
.
ILT Practitioner’s Programme
a personalised staff development
programme for all College staff
 All credit to The Ferl Practitioners’ Programme

Version 2 – David Sugden

Implications of learning styles

• We all have preferred ways of learning.
• Your preferred learning style does not stop you
learning from content presented in a style that
does not suit you best. Psychologists suggest
that 70% of learners can cope with whatever
method content is delivered.
• However, if your preferred style is rarely or
never addressed, it could affect your
enjoyment and confidence in learning.
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Version 2 – David Sugden

Variety of learning styles

There are several approaches to identifying learning
styles. Some that are commonly applied are:

Left Activist, reflector, Right

Brain theorist or pragmatist Brain
Honey and Mumford

Concrete, Reflective, Auditory,

Abstract, Active. Visual, or
(Kolb) Kinaesthetic
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Classifying learning styles

Activist .v. Reflector .v. Theorist .v. Pragmatist
Activists like to learn Reflectors like to Theorists like to Pragmatists are ‘end
by doing and learn by getting an learn by building up focused’. They can
experimenting. overview, seeing a piece by piece in a be good problem
range of ideas and logical, sequential solvers but are more
They enjoy variety,
reflecting on how way. interested in the
interactivity and
these might fit answer than the
work that actively They are happier to
together. process.
engages them. work from the
They can benefit components to the They will use
from discovery- bigger picture and anything that works,
learning like logical but need to see the
approaches. sequential immediate benefit.
presentations rather They respond well to
than discovery on-line self
learning! assessment.
Do it... Think about it... Prove it... But it works...
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Classifying learning styles
Left brain
Learners for whom the left side
of the brain is dominant tend to
specialise in language,
sequential tasks, logic and
mathematical processes.
Activities structured in a linear
way work well for these
learners.
Version 2 – David Sugden
Right brain
Learners for whom the right side of
the brain is dominant specialise in
visual and creative activities. They
look for global patterns and focus
on relationships.
Visual, creative and experimental
tasks work well, as do tasks which
offer alternative paths through the
information.
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Version 2 – David Sugden

Classifying learning styles

Auditory .v.
Some learners prefer to
learn through hearing.
This kind of learner
responds well to
traditional classroom
delivery, discussion or
one-to-one dialogue.
ILT resources that offer
audio clips or video clips
with voice-over work
well.
Visual .v.
Learners who respond
well to visually rich
resources with photos,
graphs, maps can be
assisted effectively with
ILT.
The use of colour to
convey information
works well. They also
benefit from the use of
video and audio clips.
Kinaesthetic
Some learners learn best
through activities which
involve physical
movement.
These learners respond
well to tasks such as
clicking, dragging, re-
creating handouts,
experimenting with
interactive spreadsheets
or mix-and-match
activities.
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Version 2 – David Sugden

Supporting learning styles

• Ideally, learners will be able to develop
their non-preferred learning styles.
• This increases their ability to learn in
different contexts and ways.

But not all learners have that option

– learners who have specific
learning disabilities may be unable
to vary their learning styles
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Version 2 – David Sugden

Supporting learning styles

To support learners with specific learning
difficulties you will need:

• knowledge of assistive technologies

that enable the learner to
compensate for a disability
• familiarity with software packages that
offer additional functions for learners
with disabilities.
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Version 2 – David Sugden

Supporting learners
• Learners do not need to be severely
disabled to have a learning difficulty.

• Learning support staff may also be well

placed to identify hitherto unrecognised
learning needs, such as dyslexia, physical
difficulties, visual or hearing impairment.

• http://www.techdis.ac.uk/simdis
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ILT can help

• Learners with visual impairment can conduct
meaningful communication via keyboard and
screen.
• These learners can engage with the learning
content, although the process may rely on
mastery of specialist software.

If you wish to know more about this and would

prefer to work on tasks related to accessibility
– please tell David at the end of this session.
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Version 2 – David Sugden

Information – learning styles

– Go to the Ferl (http://ferl.becta.org.uk/)

web site and search for ‘learning styles’
– The European Learning Styles
Information Network
http://www.elsinnet.com/

Handouts:
INTRODUCTORY pieces on learning styles and ‘personalisation’
And an overview of Kolb’s learning style diagram.