LEARING STYLES UTILIZE YOUR POTENTIAL

about learning styles and how to use yourself in the most efficient way

NetDansk

WHAT IS LEARING STYLES?

Learning styles are the way in which each individual learner begins to concentrate on, process, absorb, and retain new and difficult information. Learning styles, thus, are the most important tool for us when we construct knowledge. Most people havent got the faintest idea about their learning styles profile, and people are often somewhat embarrassed about the way they actually act when studying: They dont find it in keeping with good student behavior. The right way of studying, however, does not exist. Everybody learns in his individual way, but without knowing this way, i.e. without knowing your preferences, you cant learn efficiently sometimes you cant learn at all.

WHAT IS LEARING STYLES?

There are quite a few learning styles concepts. We have chosen a theory developed by Rita and Ken Dunn and a test developed by Rita Dunn and Susan Rundle. This test, Building Excellence, offers you

your learning styles profile, an array of strategies and pieces of good advice that can help you learn efficiently.

In the following presentation, the individual parts of the tests will be presented in order for you to understand the scope and the aims of the concept.

DONT FORGET

There are no good and no bad learning styles. All profiles are totally equal. Your profile is relatively stabile thus, it is not going to change radically, and should changes occur, it will be in cycles of 2-3 years. NetDansk is organized according to learning styles. The exercises exploit the various sensoric modalities if possible. And besides that, you must exploit the knowledge the test has imparted to you. Use the feedback you get after you have taken the Building-Excellence test.

BUILDING EXCELLENCEThe Learning Individual Self-Awareness Know Thyself

If learning is fundamental to everything we do, then understanding ones unique learning style is fundamental to learning.

Ancient Egyptians believed the heart was the center of intelligence and emotion. They also thought so little of the brain that during mummification, they removed the brain entirely from bodies.

The Building Excellence (BE) Survey

The BE Survey is an online learning & productivity style assessment tool

(copyright 96, 98, 99, 00 R. Dunn & S. Rundle).

BE identifies twenty-one critical variables that can promote or obstruct learning, including the efficacy with which individuals concentrate on, process, internalize, and retain new and complex information.

Learning and Productivity Style Profile Report

The BE Survey generates a personalized Learning and Productivity Style (LPS) Profile report, which includes: A one-page summary; Narrative descriptions of ones preferences; Recommended strategies; and A personal development plan to help people create individualized learning solutions.

Interpreting the LPS One-Page Profile

0 SLIGHT MODERATE STRONG

A nonessential element that does not usually require special attention.

A nonessential element that, for the most part, does not affect the individual.

An essential element that requires attention MUCH of the time.

An essential element that requires attention ALL of the time.

Interpreting the LPS One-Page Profile

LEAST

LESS

DEFINITELY NOT the most effective modality for retaining new and difficult material.

NOT the most effective modality for retaining new and difficult material.

Perceptual Elements
Auditory Learners Visual Picture Learners Visual Text Learners Tactile and/or Kinesthetic Learners Verbal Learners

Remember best when they LISTEN to a lecture, a presentation, or an audiotape.

Remember best when they SEE (create) mental images of what they hear or read.

Remember best when they READ the written word (textbooks, memos, and e-mail messages).

Remember best by DOING rather than sitting and listening, reading, or thinking about the information.

Remember best when they DISCUSS with others the new and complex information they are learning.

Perceptual Elements - Example

Least Less Slight

Slight

Moderate

Strong

Less Auditory Less Visual Picture Less Visual Text Less Tactile
and/or

Less

More Auditory More Visual Picture More Visual Text More Tactile Moderate
and/or

Moderate

Slight

Kinesthetic
Less Verbal
(Internal Kinesthetic)

Kinesthetic
More Verbal Strong
(Internal Kinesthetic)

Analytic / Global
ANALYTICS assimilate and process information best when it is presented sequentially and the information builds toward a conceptual understanding.

GLOBALS assimilate and process information best when humor and metaphors are used and they need to understand the concept before the details make sense.

Analytic / Global
INTEGRATED PROCESSORS

use both the Analytic and Global dimensions interchangeably. Persons with this preference often take on the role of an interpreter because they can easily translate what the Analytics and Globals are saying.

Reflective / Impulsive
Reflective learners take time to weigh their options before making decisions and solving problems. Impulsive learners prefer less detail when making decisions and solving problems.

When taken to the extreme, this approach leads to analysis paralysis!

When taken to the extreme, impulsive people want others to be brief, be bright, and be gone!

Psychological Elements - Example

Strong

Moderate

Integrated

Moderate

Strong

Analytic

Moderate

Global

Strong

Moderate

Slight

Slight

Moderate

Strong

Reflective

Strong

Impulsive

I used to be indecisive but now Im not so sure.

Boscoe Pertwee
18th century writer

Environmental Elements
Sound Light Temperature Seating

Do you concentrate best with sound in the background or a in quiet environment?

Do you study or work best when when the lights are bright or softly illuminated and indirect?

Do you concentrate and stay focused longer when the temperature is warmer or cooler?

Do you concentrate best when sitting at a desk with a straightbacked chair or more informal seating?

Environmental Elements - Example

Strong Moderate Slight

Slight

Moderate

Strong

Quiet

Strong

Sound

Low Light

Strong

Bright Light

Warm Temperature

Moderate

Cool Temperature

Informal Seating

Formal Seating

Physiological Elements
Time of Day Intake Mobility

At what time of day are you most effective and efficient: Early Morning? Late Morning/ Early Afternoon? Late Afternoon? Evening?

Do you focus your attention best when you snack while you work or study or snack after you are finished?

When you stay in one place for too long, do you become restless and fidgety?

Physiological Elements - Example

0
Slight Moderate Strong

Early Morning Late Morning/ Early Afternoon Late Afternoon

Strong

Slight

Slight Moderate

Evening

Moderate

Strong

Moderate

Slight

Slight

Moderate

Strong

Less Intake Less Mobility

Strong

More Intake Moderate More Mobility

I think that only daring speculation can lead us further and not accumulation of facts.
Albert Einstein 1879-1955

Emotional Elements
Motivation Persistence Conformity Structure

Positive feedback from others (externally motivated)

Positive feedback from yourself (internally motivated)

Do you prefer completing one task before beginning another?

Do you prefer to work on several tasks at the same time?

Do you prefer to do things the way you think they should be done?
Do you prefer to do things the way others think they should be done?

Do you like others to provide procedures for you to follow?

Do you prefer to create your own procedures?

Emotional Elements - Example

Strong Moderate Slight

Slight

Moderate

Strong

Internally Motivated

Externally Motivated

Multiple Task Persistence

Strong

Single Task Persistence

Less Conforming

Slight

More Conforming

Less Structure

Moderate

More Structure

Sociological Elements
Team Interaction Authority Variety

Are you more productive when you work alone or with one other person, in a small group of 3 people, or in a large team?

Do you work well with a person who is an expert in his field?

Do you prefer routine work using proven methods? Do you become bored when you have to do the same thing over and over?

Are you less effective when someone is looking over your shoulder when you work or study?

Sociological Elements - Example

0
Slight Moderate Strong

Alone/Pairs

Strong

Small Group

Moderate

Team

Slight Moderate

Strong

Moderate

Slight

Slight

Moderate

Strong

Less Authority Less Variety

0 0

More Authority More Variety

LEARNING STYLE:

Your Brain Has A Mind of Its Own!