302LON Unit 1

Learning Styles

ACTIVIST REFLECTOR THEORIST PRAGMATIST

A theory of learning proposed by Kolb suggests that there are four different learning types: activists, reflectors, theorists, and pragmatists. These four approaches also suggest a learning cycle, which is actually quite logical. You start by doing something, e.g., attend a lecture, you reflect or think about it, then you work out whether there are any underlying ideas that link this lecture to other experiences, and finally you plan to put into practice what you have experienced and thought about. According to Kolb, each of us tends to lean towards a preference for certain ways of learning. Here are the four:

(a) Activists

Activists work best when they can lead discussions, give presentations, and work in teams to solve problems or generate ideas. They enjoy the challenge of being thrown in at the deep end and of being presented with new experiences, problems, and opportunities.

(b) Reflectors

Reflectors learn best when they can watch, listen to, or stand back from situations and have the time to review and reflect on what has happened. They are happy to carry out painstaking and detailed research and work to produce carefully considered analyses and reports. They are quite comfortable exchanging ideas with other people in a structured and organised way, but they like to be left to take decisions on their own, without pressure.

(c) Theorists

Theorists learn best when they can learn in a structured way and relate activities to systems, models, concepts, and theories. They like to analyse and generalise about the reasons for successes and failures. They enjoy exploring the interrelationships between ideas, events, and situations. If they listen to or read about ideas and concepts, they are happiest if the information is rational, logical, and well argued.

(d) Pragmatists

Pragmatists learn best when they can concentrate on practical issues and when there is an obvious link between subject matter and a problem or opportunity. They enjoy being shown techniques for doing things that have obvious advantages like saving time or making a good impression. They like being able to put their learning into practice at the first possible opportunity. They enjoy trying things out if they can get coaching, guidance, or feedback from a credible expert.

Think about yourself:

-Which Learning Style reflects best how you learn?

-Answer:______

Learning styles in action

If you wonder whether knowing your preferred learning style is useful, it may well be. Not that your university will review its entire teaching strategy to suit you, but self-knowledge can be very helpful. The four learning styles equate to stages in a learning cycle.

Think about a seminar.

The Active you asks: When was it? Where was it? What did I do?

The Reflective you asks: What did I notice? What conclusions did I draw? How did I feel?

The Theoretical you asks: What did it all mean? Can I provide explanations to what happened?

The Pragmatic you asks: How can I apply what I learned?

So what?

There are some advantages and disadvantages to each learning style, and greater self-knowledge helps you develop your approaches to learning.

Learning type / Strengths / Weakness
Activist / Flexible and open minded, happy to have a go, happy to be exposed to new situations, optimistic about new situations, and unlikely to resist change. / A bit like a bull at a gate, tends to take immediate action without considering the consequences, a bit too keen to take risks.
Reflector / Careful, thorough, and methodical, good at listening to others and assimilating information, and rarely jumps to conclusions. / A bit inclined to hold back from getting involved, slow to make up their minds and take decisions, rather too cautious, and not good at “small talk”.
Theorist / Logical, rational, and objective thinkers, good at asking probing questions, and taking a disciplined approach to tasks. / Not so good at lateral thinking and a low tolerance for uncertainty or intuition. Very keen on “should”, “ought”, and “must”.
Pragmatist / Practical, down-to-earth, and realistic, keen to test things out, gets straight to the point, and comes up with practical solutions. / Impatient and inclined to seize on the first solution to a problem, very disinterested in underlying principles.

Source: Cameron, S., (2009), The Business Student’s Handbook: Skills for Study and

Employment, 5th Edition, Harlow: Financial Times Press