{"id":27,"date":"2019-08-23T10:45:47","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T14:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradescomminucation\/?post_type=chapter&p=27"},"modified":"2020-09-24T14:05:14","modified_gmt":"2020-09-24T18:05:14","slug":"learning-styles","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/tradescomminucation\/chapter\/learning-styles\/","title":{"raw":"Learning Preferences","rendered":"Learning Preferences"},"content":{"raw":"
Learning styles can be defined as the way in which an individual generally responds to specific learning situations and prefers to process different forms of information<\/i>. Often, learning styles are regarded as the preferred methods for undertaking learning, for example, reader\/writer, audio\/visual etc., but this is a narrow definition. Learning\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 preferences as a term is generally considered to take in a broader set of factors than just methods as they also take into account aspects that might impact on learning, such as: the environment and where and when apprentices prefer to do their learning. For example, a student may prefer to work alone at home, and do her assignments late in the evening when the family has gone to bed. Another student may thrive in group situations and only wish to study during the day on-campus. In a nutshell, learning styles and preferences help to describe how people learn best in their context.<\/div>\r\n \r\n\r\nThere has been much debate in the educational circles regarding the validity and application of preferred learning styles. There are basically two competing perspectives.\r\n\r\nLearning preferences refer to a set of competing theories that aim to describe the differences in an individual\u2019s preferred way of learning. Since its beginning in the 1970s, the topic of learning styles has been under much scrutiny, review, and revision.\r\n\r\nEssentially there are four styles or \u2018preferences\u2019 with some theories indicating as many as seven. For the purpose of this chapter, we will be highlighting three preferences that may help you understand how you best learn and assimilate new information and tasks.\r\n\r\nIt is important to know that most of the literature indicates that although you might prefer one method over the others, you are not using that one method to the exclusion of the others. Although you may prefer one method of learning you are capable of learning and assimilating new information through other means as well.\r\n\r\nLearning new material is both an active process as well as an adaptive process. You may find that you are using more than one method at any given time in your learning.\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/youtu.be\/gzFQwFfXVMI[\/embed]\r\n

misconceptions of learning styles<\/p>\r\nOf the different learning styles, we will highlight three: Visual (Spatial Learning), Auditory (Listening\/Musical), and Kinesthetic (Physical).\r\n

Visual Preference (See)<\/h4>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nThose who prefer to learn visually usually find that they learn best when there are visual cues or images to help process the information they are trying to learn. Some examples of visual learning experience would include;\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Graphs, charts, and diagrams<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Colour coding<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Visualizations of concepts<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Video (YouTube, Vimeo, Manufacturers Websites)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Mind mapping (flowcharts, flow diagrams)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Auditory Preference (Hear)<\/h4>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nThose who prefer to learn through listening are those who respond primarily to sound. Those who prefer this learning preference find they study better when listening to music or who like to process information by talking out loud. Whether in a group setting or in a discussion with someone else.\r\n\r\nSome examples of auditory learning might be:\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Tell me how to do a task<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Discussion groups (tool-box meeting)<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Audio Books \/ Audio Lectures<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Podcasts<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Kinesthetic Preference (Try)<\/h4>\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nThose who prefer to learn with their hands are most likely to be in some form of skilled trades. It should come as no surprise that kinesthetic learners (physical learners) are animated in their discussions, usually feel a need to keep moving, and learn best when they can practice what they have learned right away \u2013 or better yet- while they are learning. This kind of learning is often referred to as \u2018hands-on\u2019 learning and is the reason why shop practicals and lab experiences are so important to your learning experience. Some examples of kinesthetic learning might be:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Prototyping or building models<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Writing, typing<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Highlighting text as you read<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Shop experience<\/li>\r\n \t
      • On the job training<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Exercising<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Experimenting with taking things apart and\/or putting things back together -especially when it involves tools of some kind.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
        Some other types of learning preferences for you to consider would include;<\/h5>\r\nVerbal or Linguistic<\/strong> \u2013 this learning style can be found in such activities as receiving verbal or written instructions. Those who prefer this style of learning usually enjoy reading and writing, rhymes and riddles, and generally have a large vocabulary.\r\n\r\nLogical or Mathematical<\/strong> \u2013 this learning style is not intended to discount other styles as non-sensical or illogical. Rather, this style tends to prefer classifying and\/or grouping information together to get a better grasp of what is being taught. This type of learning prefers to create procedures as well as perform complex mathematical problems to better understand their world.\r\n\r\nSocial or Inter-personal<\/strong> \u2013 this type of learning preference tends to reflect a need for learning in a group environment. These types of learners like to bounce ideas off of others, tend to work well with others, and thus find themselves in more collaborative environments.\r\n\r\nSolitary or Intra-personal<\/strong> \u2013 this type of learner prefers to be left on their own to figure out how to best assimilate information. These types of learners prefer to write journals, keep detailed notes, and think independently.\r\n
        \r\n

        Key Takeaways<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

        \r\n\r\nAlthough most people enter the trades because they feel that they learn best with their hands, in reality, all of us learn through more than one preference. Indeed, that is why these are called \u2018preferences. One person may \u2018prefer\u2019 one way of learning over another. Yet that does not mean they are regulated or hindered in any way from learning in another method. Those other methods just may not be the best way for them to learn.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n ","rendered":"
        Learning styles can be defined as the way in which an individual generally responds to specific learning situations and prefers to process different forms of information<\/i>. Often, learning styles are regarded as the preferred methods for undertaking learning, for example, reader\/writer, audio\/visual etc., but this is a narrow definition. Learning\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 preferences as a term is generally considered to take in a broader set of factors than just methods as they also take into account aspects that might impact on learning, such as: the environment and where and when apprentices prefer to do their learning. For example, a student may prefer to work alone at home, and do her assignments late in the evening when the family has gone to bed. Another student may thrive in group situations and only wish to study during the day on-campus. In a nutshell, learning styles and preferences help to describe how people learn best in their context.<\/div>\n

         <\/p>\n

        There has been much debate in the educational circles regarding the validity and application of preferred learning styles. There are basically two competing perspectives.<\/p>\n

        Learning preferences refer to a set of competing theories that aim to describe the differences in an individual\u2019s preferred way of learning. Since its beginning in the 1970s, the topic of learning styles has been under much scrutiny, review, and revision.<\/p>\n

        Essentially there are four styles or \u2018preferences\u2019 with some theories indicating as many as seven. For the purpose of this chapter, we will be highlighting three preferences that may help you understand how you best learn and assimilate new information and tasks.<\/p>\n

        It is important to know that most of the literature indicates that although you might prefer one method over the others, you are not using that one method to the exclusion of the others. Although you may prefer one method of learning you are capable of learning and assimilating new information through other means as well.<\/p>\n

        Learning new material is both an active process as well as an adaptive process. You may find that you are using more than one method at any given time in your learning.<\/p>\n