Learning Reflection #2. Differing Approaches to Learning

Learning Reflection #2. Differing Approaches to Learning: Recognising & overcoming challenges
Due by midnight (12:00am), Sunday night, end of week 3.

BACKGROUND

It is generally believed that people have different learning styles and techniques for learning and communicating. Different models exist that categorise and explain the different ways that people tend to learn, although every person actually has a mix of learning styles. Some people may find that they have a dominant style of learning, with far less use of the other styles. Others may find that they use different styles in different circumstances. There is no right mix, nor are your styles fixed. You can develop ability in less dominant styles, as well as further develop styles that you already use well. By recognising and understanding your own learning styles, you can consciously apply learning techniques that are most suited to you. This improves the speed and quality of your learning.

The survey provided below from Solomon B & Felder R of NC State University is a well-recognised Learning Style Survey. Before responding to the questions for this week’s Learning Reflection, click on the link below and complete the survey. Make sure you read the explanation(s) provided for your survey results:

http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

QUESTIONS

PART A – How accurate would you say are the learning style survey results in describing you? Explain your answer.

PART B – Explain how you think an awareness of your own learning style could help you in both your university study and your future work life. (HINT: Think about the ways that your learning style may influence your approach to communication and relationships, including seeking and responding to feedback. You will also find some clues in the Felder reading, below – “Matters of style”).

RESOURCES

To help you to respond to these questions, make sure you have read through the Week 3 Learning Guide. You may also find clues and ideas in the readings below:

Overview of Learning Styles by “Learning Styles Online.com”: http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/
Felder, R. 1996. “Matters of Style”, ASEE Prism, Vol.6, Iss.4, pp. 18-23

THESE ARE SOME ANSWERS THAT STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED.
Collapse Commentsfor Learning Reflection 2 Comments: 6 Add Comment

AMELIA KATE WESTON said…

Sunday, 15 March 2015 10:33:27 AM CST

question 1: the survey was very accurate in its assessment of my learning styles. the survey noted that I find visual aids most effective in my study,with every thing else I am balanced.

question 2: the understanding of how I learn best can be use full in my study and every day events by changing my approach to how I read the text books, pictures first and when I receiver instructions, a diagram of physically being shown the activity. plus if I have trouble understanding a concept I can ask that it be shown to me in a pictorial diagram rather then just bullet points ect.
Access the profile card for user: RENEE LOUISE SALTER RENEE LOUISE SALTER said…

Monday, 16 March 2015 11:18:30 AM CST

PART A
I believe that the NC State University survey was extremely accurate in pinpointing my learning still. I am very much a visual learner and do find it difficult when learning something new completely from written texts, such as, journals or textbooks. I pick things up quite quickly when I can see it, touch it or used it as it was designed to be used and also repetitive usage is a bonus for me as the more I used something, the more I understand it.

PART B
I feel my awareness of my learning style will assist me in my university study and my future work life because I can adapt those concepts to anything I wish to learn or improve on. For instance, if I had an assignment on the effects of a Myocardial Infarction on the heart, I would draw a heart or get a picture of a heart and break it down step by step in diagram form to show the different areas and how it looks as a healthy heart, then as a heart with muscle that has died and then write down in dot points what caused the muscle to die and the contributing factors that lead to that to occur. Simply reading how something has occurred does not assist me as my brain finds it difficult to retain that information. It may also assist with my future work life as there will be times when I will have to explain to someone the reason they are in hospital or how an illness will effect them and I will most likely have to break it down and not use medical terminology in order for them to comprehend what is being said to them. I believe this will be helpful because I would be confident that they were in complete understanding of information they were being given.
JOEL NATHAN CLEAVLAND BRUCE-MORICH said…

Monday, 16 March 2015 1:24:27 PM CST

I believe that the result is quite accurate to my results, however it does have its limitations to its accuracy given it is only based on three possible answers per question, meaning it is basically weighing up on yes, no and maybe. Having seventy questions did benefit the test giving each of the seven study types ten relevant questions, I was found to be a logical learner.

Learning styles not only reflect how you best learn but also your personality. Knowing your learning style is a massive advantage and it gives you the changes to angle your approach to life and study to best suit your own learning style. I recognize that there are some situations where you have to utilize your learning style to approach situations that are not as suited to your learning style, for example group discussions and oral presentations are definitely not suited to my learning style however I can use aspects of my learning style that help me in these situations, doing so may increase my ability to learn in that environment.

Joel Bruce-Morich
S138430
16/03/2015
Access the profile card for user: ANGELA MELINDA SAVILL ANGELA MELINDA SAVILL said…

Tuesday, 17 March 2015 11:32:31 AM CST

I believe the learning style survey results portray a relatively accurate picture of my learning style. On all scales my score reflected a balance between each learning style, with the exception of being a sensing learner for which I had a moderate preference. I agree with this concept as I find myself strongly drawn to information based on concrete facts rather than ideas. I also agree with the balance between the other learning styles as I don’t believe I have been able to establish the best way for me to learn yet, it is something I am hoping to be able to ascertain more as I progress further into my studies.

Having an awareness of my own learning style will help me to determine the best way to tackle my studies. At present I am still trying to discover what works best for me; for example, when I read my Anatomy & Physiology textbook it is easy to get lost in the sheer volume of words and terms, however I have found that both the words combined with diagrams help, but having either alone would likely have me confused. I find discussing with others can sometimes be a great help, but it can also be a hindrance if their learning style is completely different to mine and I am unable to grasp their way of thinking. Finding like-minded learners to discuss concepts with is something I have found of benefit; however I am hoping to be able to incorporate and work on some of the other learning styles to be able to hopefully gain even more understanding in my studies.
Access the profile card for user: MICHELLE WRIGHT MICHELLE WRIGHT said…

Wednesday, 18 March 2015 11:15:40 AM CST

Part A:
For me, the learning styles survey results were quite accurate. I recently participated in a similar activity (the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) during a planning day at work. This exercise was aimed at identifying where the strengths and weaknesses were in our teams so that we could better understand each other and improve team dynamics and operations. My results from this exercise and the survey were similar in that I am fairly balanced between the learning styles. I do, however, have a strong preference for the ‘Sensing’ learning style. I love facts, analysing data and making evidence-based recommendations and decisions.

Part B
Being aware of my different learning styles offers up a huge advantage. Being able to recognise the reason why I might be struggling with a certain task will enable me to actively engage the required skills to get the job done.

Having an active awareness of learning styles and being able to recognise these in others can also be a huge benefit in the work place. Being able to adapt my communication style to that which will be best received by those I am communicating with can be particularly useful when providing feedback. Similarly, when receiving feedback, I can use these skills to easily ‘translate’ and understand instructions promptly. Having an understanding of the learning styles of others can also be useful when matching members of the team to specific tasks. This ensures effective use of their skills as well as promoting greater job satisfaction and harmony within the team.
Access the profile card for user: RACHAEL BEAVIS RACHAEL BEAVIS said…

Wednesday, 18 March 2015 11:16:14 AM CST

After completing the survey from Solomon B & Felder R of NC State University the results revealed I am more of an active, sensing, visual and sequential learner. This came as no surprise to me as I know I learn best when presented with pictures, doing hands on tasks rather than written work with no complications or surprises and doing things in a logical order. I was slightly surprised I didn’t score higher in the sequential section, as I like to complete tasks step by step. One of my pet hates is when things aren’t completed in the order they should be, for example when in class and a tutor jumps back and forth between topics, I generally cant follow. Due to a part of my learning style being visual though, when presented with pictures in a step-by-step order I’ll learn a lot quicker.

Being aware of my learning style has helped me immensely in my studies and at work. Being a sequential learner I plan things out in a step-by-step order so tasks are completed more efficiently. Knowing I am a visual learner I ensure I have diagrams, graphs and pictures to aid in my studies and to help me grasp concepts in the work place. This keeps me very organised. However, part of my learning style is being a sensor. As a sensing learner I dislike complications or surprises, which can hinder me in the work place, when it comes to nursing there are always complications and surprises. Being aware of this learning style of mine keeps me calm when complications do arise as the visual part of my learning style kicks in and grasps what is going on in the big picture. Surprisingly though I enjoy problem solving by well-established methods which is also part of the sensing learning style. So in effect my learning style is like one big roundabout.

References

Felder, R. M., & Soloman, B. A. (n.d.). Learning Styles and Strategies. Retrieved from www4.ncsu.edu: www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm

Felder , R. M., & Soloman, B. A. (n.d.). Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire. Retrieved from engr.ncsu.edu: www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html

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