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Learning Styles and Preferences

Chapter 4: Discovering your Students

From Core Concepts for Snowsports Instructors
PSIA , © 2001

An individual’s learning style is determined by how she or he receives, processes and absorbs information.
Learning Process (figure 2.2, pg. 13)

• Readiness – The circumstances surrounding the learning situation (physical, environmental, social, emotional)

• Reception – the preferred sensory input mode for the individual learner

• Processing – the method of digesting and absorbing information (brain hemisphere dominance)

• Reaction – what the individual does with the information

Kolb – Perception and Processing
Perception
• The way a person collects the information to be learned
• Big picture learners (“feelers”) > Parts learners (“thinkers”)

Processing
• How we mentally manipulate information to help us learn it
• “Refective observers” (watchers) > “active experimenters” (doers)

Type 1 – Innovative Learners – Why?

• See the whole first and then the parts
• Sense the world and reflect on it before making decisions about learning
• Often sensitive and creative
• Good at sharing
• Learn best in discussions
• Place emphasis on making sense of the world
• Favorite question is why

Type 2 – Analytical Learners – What?
• Quiet observers
• Perceive details first, then develop understanding of whole
• Analytical and studious, Organized and detailed
• Needs to know what needs to be done and sets a plan


Type 3 – Active Experimenters– How?
• Proceed from details to whole
• Learn best when actively engaged in manipulating and using the concept
• Pragmatic and practical experimenters
• How things work and how they can be used to solve problems

Type 4 – Dynamic Learners – What If?
• Sensory
• Proceed from whole to parts
• Need to be actively engaged in learning situation
• People person learners
• Try gut solutions to problems

Multiple Intelligences
All students are gifted in one way or another
Howard Gardner described the theory of multiple intelligences
Intelligence is the ability to use a skill

1. Verbal-Linguistic
Love of words and language, listening or telling stories

2. Logical-Mathematical
Asks why and how, recognizes patterns, follows logical steps to solve problems

3. Spatial
Active imagination, adept at manipulating objects in space, sensitive to balance of objects, likes to draw or design

4. Bodily-Kinesthetic
Desire to move, ability to move skillfully, often seen touching or manipulating something

5. Musical-Rhythmic
Propensity for sounds and rhythm and making music

6. Interpersonal
Adept in social situations, discerns emotional states of others

7. Intrapersonal
Likes solitude, thinks a lot , understands weaknesses and strengths

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