One of the first activities in PSEL was to learn how I learn. Did I already lose you? Okay, have you ever taken one of those online quizzes to figure out which Disney princess you are? Uhh, right – neither have I. But theoretically saying you did, this would be similar; except I took an inventory, not a quiz. And it was created by some guy named Kolb, not BuzzFeed. Apparently there is a lot of empirical data to back this up and if you’re interested in learning more, here is a comprehensive guide that dives into the inventory, history, validity, research, and much more! We used workbook version 3.2.
The Kolb learning style inventory consists of a simple 12-question quiz, in which the user ranks their preferred answers (4 being most like you and 1 least like you). This translated into four scores, one for each of the four learning modes that make up the learning cycle (pictured to the right). These learning modes are Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation. After some fancy math, these four scores transform into two unique numbers that result in figuring out your learning style on the “learning style grid” (below).
Kolb describes nine learning styles, which are systematically arranged around the learning cycle on an X,Y grid—the learning style grid! Original, right? (-:
I found my learning style/s to be both fascinating and unsurprising. I am a mix of “experiencing” and “balancing”. According to Kolb, strengths of the experiencing learning style are: building deep personal relationship, strong intuition focused by reflecation and action, and open to new experiences. Challenges of this learning style are: understanding theory, systematic planning, and critical evaluation.
Strengths of the balancing learning style are: flexibility in moving around the learning cycle, ability to work with diverse groups of people, and creative insights. Challenges are: indecisivenss, ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, and sustained commitment.
These strengths and weaknesses could not describe me better. I am most definitely a people person and an experience-driven person. I’m the type of person that would rather spend my money on adventures and memorable experiences with friends than buying things. “Strong intuition” is an interesting concept and makes sense for me. I could never really explain why sometimes I would just “get it” and even if I didn’t, I was okay with proceeding and “picking it up on the fly”. As for balancing, I’ve always considered myself to be flexible. Kolb also mentions that this learning style allows the person to adapt to different teaching methods, which is demonstrated in my ability to adapt and excelo in different teaching scenarios in school. Part of me wishes I would have taken this inventory a long time ago!
As for the challenges described in experiencing and balancing, I don’t disagree. Understanding theory and critical evaulation have always been struggle points for me as I always considered myself a more hands-on learner. Systematic planning, while I understand the concept, I do in fact struggle with this. I tend to question a lot and I fall more in the subjectivity team than objectivity. I don’t beleive the world is just black and white; there is always more to the story—an underlying why, an assumption. The challenges assocaited with balancing are comical to me. Indecisiveness? My wife would certainly agree, ha! I tend to be a people pleaser and am comfortable adapting to any scenario/environment/choice, which I believe helps drive my indecisiveness and confirms these learning styles. I am most definitely a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’. This has even been said about me at work, as I am usually placed on a myraid of different projects because I have the skills to “do it all”. There are many things that I would love to master and become an expert, but that is hard when I am always learning a new trick or understanding the basics to another system. Job security, eh? And sustained commitment? What does this even mean and why is that a challenge?
I need more caffeine. I’ll be back later…
enjoyed your thoughts!