There are four types; reflectors, theorists, activists and pragmatists of learning styles based on Peter Honey and Alan Mumford theory (2006). Each individual often complies with a specific style of the four styles for their learning. These styles of learning interpret the way individuals’ processes information and develop their knowledge.
Reflectors surpass in their learning from observation and analysing. They excel in learning through also thinking methodically. Student nurses can benefit from complying with this learning style, as during the course, we would be frequently examining techniques and analysing the steps needed to perform the techniques and correctly. For example, a senior nurse may show a student nurse how to monitor a patient’s
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The Kolb Cycle (1984) is another method of discovering the type of learning style of an individual and can link with Honey and Mumford’s work. It consists of four stages. According to Groat and Musson (1995), the reflectors and the theorists prefer the ‘abstract’ stage, because their learning styles ‘prefer to gather information’ and ‘explore complex ideas and concepts and use their observations to build their own models’ (Groat and Musson, 1995). Activists and pragmatists prefer the ‘concrete’ stage, because they like to take on a ‘challenge’, as they confront what has been demonstrated to them and put it into practice when an opportunity is available to …show more content…
Activists, on the other hand are particularly useful during practice settings as they grasp hold of opportunities and experience new skills where possible. Pragmatists also take on opportunities which are given to them but they carry out tasks in a methodically way. These other styles have their strong aspects towards an individual’s learning, but so do reflectors. Personally, I can further develop my learning style, according to Fleming et al (2011), by working at a steady pace, having a practice run through and carefully thinking before participating. Working in a steady pace will allow time for me to carefully process information and structure my work
Reflection is a key element of the human learning process. It can be used to justify aspects of practice and legitimise the knowledge gained from it, as opposed to traditional forms of learning.
According to Reid (1993, p.306)”Reflection is a process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate and so inform learning about practice”. This means making sense of practice and learning from it. It is when a nurse looks back and focuses on a certain experie...
I found Kolb's (1984) model of experiential learning a useful way to summarize the process if individual learning. The cycle begins when we each experience the world through our senses. Kolb calls this step ‘concreate experience', to indicate that he does not mean the various experiences we have through books or plays, but real-world experiences. Examples of concrete experience could be as varied as sitting through a boring meeting or suffering the distress of losing a job. Kolb suggest that to learn from our experiences we must engage in a second step of consistency reflecting on what has occurred. This step he calls ‘reflective observation'. We are able to reflect on much less than what occurred in the actual experience. Reflection is selective and influenced by our expectations. The third step in the learning cycle is making sense of what we have experience. In other words, ‘abstract conceptualization'. The final step in Kolb's model is ‘active experimentation'. At this step, we test out the meaning that we have constructed by taking action in the world – which then leads to new experiences. Kolb has shown that over time we tend to get more proficient at some steps of the process that at others, thus we develop a learning style preference. Kolb has noted all the steps are necessary, the smallest alteration to any of these steps can make the learning process less
Rolfe (2001) claims that reflection- in-action is more advanced form of thinking and leads to more advanced practice. He further describes that is it is a process of what the nurse is always testing theories and hypothesis in a cyclical process while simultaneously engaged in practice (Rolfe, 1993). It means examining behaviour and that of others while in a situation (Schon, 1995; Schon, 1987). “To be able to reflect one must step outside the experience in order to make the observance comprehendible” Gray (1998). “Aziza highlighted (Forum 2; Challenges and debates about reflective practice, Reflection-in-action/practice and Reflection-on-action/practice) that competent nurses encounter an unusual event or “wicked problem”. Rolfe (2014), calls it, the nurse automatically analyse, problem solve and reflects in that instant without even realising it.” Hence, it brings about confidence, skills and knowledge and anticipation in professionals in nursing. Professionals are accountable for their actions and in this case students, and new nurses would have an opportunity to think what could have been better to improve the
A key technique current and nurses in learning can use is reflection based on past experiences. This method of critical thinking enables the user to have an approach of systematic analysis for present and future scenarios with the intent of improvement. In terms of knowing, reflection has appeared to be a crucial part of learning and understanding. (Bonis, 2009).
A big component of my learning style is hands-on experience; learning while doing. This usually involved someone with more experience instructing me as I performed the task. Through the hands-on approach, I picked-up the knowledge and gained proficiency as I went along. My learning style also involved standard classroom instruction, which usually meant listening to lectures and taking notes. My note taking was not the best so in order to make up for what I lacked in note taking, I would read the textbooks repeatedly until I understood what I was reading. I learned that in order for me to get a complete understanding from my readings and notes, there had to be a lot great deal of repetition ...
Smith, M. K. (2001, 2013). Chris Argyris: theories of action, double-loop learning and organizational learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from [http://infed.org/mobi/chris-argyris-theories-of-action-double-loop-learning-and-organizational-learning/
Researchers agree on the fact that while there is no credible evidence that learning styles exist, neither is there evidence to the contrary (Reiner & Willingham, 2010). Different people have different preferences for learning, a fact that all researchers agree on. These preferences can be affected by an individual’s interests, abilities, and background knowledge (Reiner & Willingham, 2010). Studies show that while students have a preferred style of learning, if material is presented in another method, the learning is equivalent.
Learning is defined as a permanent change in attitude or behaviour that occurs as a result of repeated experience (Sims & Sims, 1995). Understanding one’s learning style has many advantages as it can help one to identify the learning method or activities that can help to optimise the learning experience. It has been suggested that the importance of one’s learning style has been identified through studies and research on how one can maximise the potential for success and further learning development (Honey & Mumford, 2006). Learning styles are unique to each individual and are developed in childhood (Chase, 2001). We all have different personalities; therefore we all have preferred learning styles that suit us best. The way one learns depends on preference. Some learn by observing, listening and imitating others and draw conclusions from their experience. There are several factors that affect our learning style; for example, background, culture, religion and environment can have a major influence on one’s learning.
Williamson, A. "Reflection in Adult Learning with Particular Reference to Learning-in-Action." Australian Journal of Adult and Community Education 37, no. 2 (July 1997): 93-99.
While reading Kolb 's Learning Styles Model and Experiential Learning Theory, I have identified myself as an accommodating learner. At first I was somewhat surprised, but the more I read about the learning styles, particularly after I completed Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory it made more sense. I have a very hands-on style, which matches perfectly with my enjoyment of performing tests to find the root cause of behavior that I’m investigating. However, sometimes I rush to make decisions on the impulse of having the task at hand finished, failing to analyze all the options that are available. Another element of the accommodate learning style that identifies me is the fact that I enjoy a good challenge. I found very interesting to solve difficult
Learning styles are how individuals approach learning new concepts based on their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. Acquiring and being aware of your learning styles is beneficial to accurately processing information that could be used for intellectual growth. Furthermore, learning styles are a part of how humans function and receive information from their world, so not being properly informed about this concept could bloom confusion, dysfunction, and chaos in society. Each learning style has a different goal and approach in interpreting information based on each individual’s abilities and should be regarded as being such. Nonetheless, it is a complex system that is produced to simplify and make sense of our world. Read/write was the
2. “Reflective observation” – the reviewing and reflection stage, being led back to the drawing board after failure to learn through watching Tutorials, I decided to put my new found knowledge of learning styles to the test. Would through going down the kinaesthetic route of learning “Either through concrete personal experiences, examples, practice or simulation” Fleming and Mills, (1992, pp. 140-141) by logging in myself and trying via a more tactile approach be a more victorious
In this essay I will be describing various types of learning styles and stating the advantages and disadvantages of these learning styles. I will also inform you of the most commonly used method of finding out your own learning style, and I will inform you of the man who made this method. Finally, I will write about my own preferred learning styles and the strengths and weaknesses of the different learning styles.
There are several different ways in which one learns. One way to learn is by adapting the cognitive style which sets a structure that one should go through a process of perceiving, thinking, problem solving and remembering. James Poon identifies two different types of learning approaches associated with the cognitive theory, reflective and impulsive. “Reflective individuals tend to be analytical, cautious, accurate, and slow in their approach to problem solving” (66). Poon also says that “reflective individuals are found to be an effective predictor of an academic achievement in first grade...