LEARNINGSTYLES

Adaptedfrom
SusanGroh,Chemistry&Biochemistry
HarryShipman,Physics&Astronomy
UniversityofDelaware,1999

WhatisaLearningStyle?
Thecharacteristicstrengthsand
preferencesinthewaysthat[learners]take
inandprocessinformation
R.Felder

WhyWorryAboutLearningStyles?
STUDENT

INSTRUCTOR

CURRICULUM

WhyisThereaGap?
Oneviewoftheeducationsystemisthatit
isagiantsortingsystemthatselectsout
individualswhotendto:
learnincertainways
teachinthewaysthattheyvebeentaught
selectoutindividualswholearninthesame
waythattheirprofessorsdid

Goals:UsingLearningStyles
Tobeawareofdifferencesinhowour
studentstakeinandprocessinformation
Tobalanceinstructionsothatalllearning
stylesareaddressedatleastsomeofthe
time

ThreeLearningStyleModels

MyersBriggsTypeIndicator(MBTI)
IsabelBriggsMyers,GiftsDiffering,Consulting
PsychologistPress,1980

KolbModel
DavidKolb,ExperientialLearning,PrenticeHall,1984

FelderSilvermanModel
Felder,R.M.&Silverman,L.K.(1988)Learningstyles
andTeachingStrategiesinEngineeringEducation,
EngineeringEducation,78,pp.674681

MyersBriggsTypeIndicator(MBTI)
BasedonJungspsychologicaltypes
predictablepatternsofbehaviorstemming
fromdifferencesamongpeoplein
Perception:takingininformation
Judging:organizing/evaluatinginformation
Preferreddomain:externalorinternal

OppositePreferencesin..

Isthepersoninterestedmostly
in..
Theexternalworldof
action,people,and
materials?
EXTRAVERSION

Theinternalworldof
ideasandthoughts?

INTRAVERSION

afterG.Lawrence,PeopleTypesandTigerStripes,1982

Doesthepersontendto
perceive.
Actual,concrete,and
tangibledata,facts,
anddetailsfrom
observationand
experience?
SENSING

Concepts,big
pictureconnections,
andpossibilities
throughinsightand
imagination?
INTUITION

afterG.Lawrence,PeopleTypesandTigerStripes,1982

Doesthepersontendtomake
judgments.
Impersonally,based
onlogic,analysisand
objectivity?
THINKING

Subjectively,basedon
valuesandpotential
impactonothers?
FEELING

afterG.Lawrence,PeopleTypesandTigerStripes,1982

Isthepersonsapproachto
life
Organizedand
managedaccordingto
preconceivedplans?
JUDGMENT

Spontaneous,flexible,
andopentonew
possibilities?
PERCEPTION

afterG.Lawrence,PeopleTypesandTigerStripes,1982

MyersBriggsTypes
Typeisdeterminedbythepreferredmode
foreachofthesefourareas
16possiblecombinations:
ThinkingTypes:ESTJ,ENTJ,ISTP,INTP
IntuitiveTypes:ENTP,ENFP,INFJ,INTJ
FeelingTypes:ESFJ,ENFJ,ISFP,INFP
SensoryTypes:ESTP,ESFP,ISJ,ISTJ

KeirseyTemperaments*
Fourbroadertypegroupssharingmany
commoncharacteristics(temperament)
SP:Artisanobserving,adaptable,tolerant
SJ:Guardianobserving,ordered,detailed
NF:Idealistsympathetic,insightful
NT:Rationalrational,theoretical,abstract
*DavidKeirsey,PleaseUnderstandMe,PrometheusNemesisBook
Company,1978

KolbLearningStyleInventory
Basedon4stagelearningcycle
ConcreteExperience(CE)

ActiveExperimentation(AE)ReflectiveObservation
(RO)

AbstractConceptualization(AC)

StagesintheLearningCycle
ConcreteExperience(CE):learningfrom
feelingandpersonalinvolvement
ReflectiveObservation(RO):learningby
watchingandlistening
AbstractConceptualization(AC):
learningbythinking
ActiveExperimentation(AE):learningby
doing

LearnerTypesandStrengths
Converger(AC+AE)
Diverger(CE+RO)
Assimilator(AC+RO)
Accommodator
(CE+AE)

Practicalapplication
ofideas
Imaginationand
innovation
Creationoftheoretical
models
Action,carryingout
plans

FelderSilvermanModel
FiveLearningDimensions:
Sensingvs.intuitiveperception
Visualvs.verbalinput
Inductivevs.deductiveorganization
Activevs.reflectiveprocessing
Sequentialvs.globalunderstanding

TeachingtoLearningStyles:MB
Extravertedstudents
Introvertedstudents

Sensingstudents

Intuitivestudents

Groups,thinkpairshare
Timeforreflection
Connectmaterial
Structure,organization
Handsonactivities
Discoverymethods
Conceptmaps

TeachingtoLearningStyles:MB
Thinkingstudents
Feelingstudents
Judgingstudents
Perceptivestudents

Clearobjectives,fairness
Collaborativegroups
Supportiveinstructor
Adviceonreviewing
work,examanswers
Subassignmentsforlarge
project
Feedback

TeachingtoLearningStyles:Kolb
Converger
Diverger
Assimilator
Accommodator

Decisionmaking,problem
solving,handsonwork
Cooperativegroups,
brainstorming
Model/theorycreation
Designprojects/experiments
Discoverylearning
Activities,projects

TeachingtoLearningStyles:Felder
Activelearners

Reflectivelearners
Sensinglearners

Intuitivelearners

Discussion,debate
Groupwork
Timeforreflection,journals
Realworldapplications
Handsonactivities
Connections:conceptmaps
Openended,speculative
assignments

TeachingtoLearningStyles:Felder
Visuallearners

Diagrams,charts,movies
Demonstrations
Discussions,oralreports
Writingprojects
Outlines,stepwise
presentations
Topicoverviews
Connectionstoother
material

Verballearners

Sequentiallearners
Globallearners