Learning Styles

Learning Styles
thepeakperformancecenter.com/educational-learning/learning/preferences/learning-styles/
L earning styles are various approaches or ways of

learning. They can be described as a set of factors,
behaviors, and attitudes that facilitate learning for an
individual.
We each are complex individuals with different

learning preferences, c ognitive styles,
personality types, aptitudes, and attitudes toward
learning.
Therefore, different people learn in different ways.
Each learner has distinct and consistent preferred
ways of perception, organization and retention. These
differences are based on preferences and personality
types. Some people tend to pick up information better
when it is presented verbally, others when it is
presented visually through pictures.
These learning styles serve as a good indicator of how

learners perceive, interact with, and respond to the learning environment. People do not
exclusively have one single way to learn, but they usually have a preference. By
u nderstanding his or her particular learning style, the learner can use his or her style
to understand the strengths and limitations of each style. There are several resources
that can help assess an individual’s learning style.
Flemings V AK Model
Kolb’s Learning Style Model
Honey and Mumford
Felder-Silverman Model
These learning style models are all used to better understand individual strengths and
weaknesses. By utilizing this knowledge, it is possible for people to learn in ways that fit
their type, and which enhances their performance.
1/
Fleming’s VAK model
Fleming’s VAK (Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic) model is one of the most common and
widely-used categorizations of the various types of learning styles. The VAK learning
styles model provides a simple way to explain and understand learning styles. Fleming
believed that there were three categories of learner’s preferences;
Visual,
Auditory, and
Kinesthetic.
Visual learners have a preference for seeing (think in pictures; visual aids such as
overhead slides, diagrams, handouts, etc.).
Auditory learners best learn through listening (lectures, discussions, tapes, etc.).
Kinesthetic learners prefer to learn through experience by moving, touching, and doing
(active exploration of the world; science projects; experiments, etc.).
While this model shows some characteristics of a left-right b rain distinction it is more a
model of perceptual style rather than cognitive style. It does not address the different
modes of t hinking exhibited by sequential/holistic styles.
The VARK (Visual Auditory Reading Kinesthetic) is another related model.
Kolb Learning Style

While the VAK learning style categories focus only on the external aspects of learning
(auditory, visual, kinesthetic), Kolb’s learning styles include perception and processing.
According to Kolb, learners perceive and process information in a continuum from
concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active
experimentation.
Kolb’s learning theory sets out four distinct learning styles, which are based on a four-
stage l earning cycle. Learning styles can be viewed on a continuum across two
dimensions, based on how people perceive information (concrete vs. abstract) and
process information (active vs. reflective). Kolb believes that as we learn something we
go through a learning cycle. Kolb believes that there are four different learning styles,
and that different people prefer different approaches for learning information.
The Kolb Learning Style Inventory calculates the degree to which a person engages in
concrete experience, active experimentation, abstract conceptualization and reflective
observation.
Four learning stages:
Concrete Experience – a concrete situation or problem which forms the basis for a new
learning experience.
Reflective Observation – think about and articulate the why’s and how’s of their concrete
experience.
Abstract Conceptualization – begin to understand the general concept of which their

concrete experience was an example.
Active Experimentation – use theory to make predictions and test their assumptions.
Four resultant learning-styles
The four resultant learning-style types from the Kolb instrument are diverging,
assimilating, converging and accommodating.
Style Preference
Converger concepts and active experimentation
Diverger practical experience and reflection
Assimilator abstract modeling and theoretical reasoning
Accommodator practical experience and active testing
Honey and Mumford

Peter Honey and Alan Mumford developed their learning styles system as a variation on
the Kolb model. Honey and Mumford proposed a similar approach to Kolb, but with
different terms:
Similar to Kolb, Honey Mumford learning styles are a product of combinations of the
learning cycle stages. The typical presentation of these styles and stages would be
respectively clockwise from 12 on a circle or four-stage cyclical flow diagram.
‘Having an Experience’ (stage 1), and Activists (style 1): ‘here and now’, gregarious, seek
challenge and immediate experience, open-minded, bored with implementation.
‘Reviewing the Experience’ (stage 2) and Reflectors (style 2): ‘stand back’, gather data,
ponder and analyse, delay reaching conclusions, listen before speaking, thoughtful.
‘Concluding from the Experience’ (stage 3) and Theorists (style 3): think things through in
logical steps, assimilate disparate facts into coherent theories, rationally objective, reject
subjectivity and flippancy.
‘Planning the next steps’ (stage 4) and Pragmatists (style 4): seek and try out new ideas,
practical, down-to-earth, enjoy problem solving and decision-making quickly, bored with
long discussions.
Four resultant learning-styles

The four resultant learning-style types from the model are Activists, Reflectors, Theorists,
and Pragmatists.
Style Preference
Activists want to learn by diving straight in to new experiences, and do not

particularly like theory
Reflectors like to stand back and gather information before coming to a conclusion
Theorists want to fully understand the theory behind a subject before they feel
comfortable with it
Pragmatists want to see the practical use of what they’re learning, and want
practical techniques
4MAT System
The 4MAT System was created by Bernice McCarthy. Based on brain dominance theory,
the 4MAT System identifies four learning styles.
Innovative/Imaginative Learners: Experiencing (Feeling and Reflecting)
This type of learner enjoys creative and innovative approaches to learning. They perceive
information concretely and process it reflectively. They prefer talking about their
experiences and feelings, asking questions, and working in groups. They like to have
learning connected to real life problems and to be given the answer to “Why do I need to
learn this?”.”
Analytic Learners: Conceptualizing (Reflecting and Thinking)
These learners are knowledge-oriented, conceptual, and organized. These individuals

perceive information abstractly and process it reflectively. These logical, abstract thinkers
want to work with facts, ideas, and details. They prefer to learn by thinking through ideas.
They would ask the question: “What do I need to learn?”
Common Sense Learners: Applying (Thinking and Doing)
These learners like active problem solving, learning through discovery, touching,
manipulating, constructing, and spatial tasks. They perceive information abstractly and
process it actively. They like hands-on experience when learning something new and
really want to use what they learn to apply to new situations. The question they ask is;
“How do I use the information?”
Dynamic Learners: Creating (Creating and Acting)
These learners prefer to learn through self-discovery and working independently. They
enjoy open-ended tasks that involve risk taking. They perceive information concretely
and process it actively. They want action; They want to see, hear, touch and feel. They
ask the question: “What if?”
Four learning-styles
The four learning-style types from the 4MAT model are Innovative, Analytic, Common
Sense, and Dynamic.
Style Preference
Innovative/Imaginative Interested in personal meaning and making connections.

They prefer to have reasons for learning that connect new
information with personal experience and establish that
information’s usefulness in daily life.
Analytic Interested in acquiring facts in order to deepen their
understanding of concepts and processes. Prefer to Listen
to and think about information, seek facts, and think things
through.
Common Sense interested in how things work; they want to “get in and try it”
Dynamic Interested in self-directed discovery. Prefer to seek hidden

possibilities, explore, and learn by trial and error.
Felder-Silverman Model
The Felder-Silverman Model is very similar to the Myers Briggs and Kolb Models. There
are specific areas of personality that contribute to learning in this model. They are active
or reflective, sensing or intuitive, visual or verbal, inductive or deductive, and sequential
or global. A combination of these styles makes up the individuals learning preference.
The Four Learning Style Dimensions
Sensing/Intuitive
Visual/Verbal
Active/Reflective
Sequential/Global
Inductive/deductive

Learning Styles

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Learning Styles

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Learning Styles

L earning styles are various approaches or ways of

We each are complex individuals with different

These learning styles serve as a good indicator of how

Kolb’s Learning Style Model

Honey and Mumford

The VARK (Visual Auditory Reading Kinesthetic) is another related model.

Kolb Learning Style

Four learning stages:

Abstract Conceptualization – begin to understand the general concept of which their

Four resultant learning-styles

Converger concepts and active experimentation

Diverger practical experience and reflection

Assimilator abstract modeling and theoretical reasoning

Accommodator practical experience and active testing

Honey and Mumford

Four resultant learning-styles

Activists want to learn by diving straight in to new experiences, and do not

Analytic Learners: Conceptualizing (Reflecting and Thinking)

These learners are knowledge-oriented, conceptual, and organized. These individuals

Common Sense Learners: Applying (Thinking and Doing)

Dynamic Learners: Creating (Creating and Acting)

Innovative/Imaginative Interested in personal meaning and making connections.

Dynamic Interested in self-directed discovery. Prefer to seek hidden

The Four Learning Style Dimensions

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