Reflection...

There are four types of learning styles:

• Assimilating Style- Prefers readings, lectures and exploring analytical models. Also prefers to think things through on their own.
• Accommodating Style- Prefers to work with others to set goals, as well as getting assignments done and to test out different approaches to completing a project.
• Converging Style- Experimenting with new simulations, ideas, practical applications and assignments.
• Diverging Style- Prefers working in groups to gather information, listening with an open-mind and receiving personalised feedback.

By analysing the four learning styles I can evaluate that I fit in to both an  Assimilating Style learner and a Converging Style learner.

In 1984 David Kolb published his "KOLB Learning Styles Model" which portrays different types of learning styles. David A. Kolb is known as an educational theorist, subsequently he focuses primarily on experimental learning.
 
The diagram on the right illustrates the four stages which an individual goes through when learning something new. The individual can approach the cycle at any stage depending on the experience the individual has.

It is said that individual leaners will demonstrate differences in the way they think about things and the way they do things...

"Learning is the process whereby the knowledge is created through the transformation of experience" (David A. Kolb 1984)

You can be told how to use a new software on a computer, but actually using the software a long with experimenting with it you learn much more.

Different people naturally prefer a certain single different learning style, along with this various factors will influence a persons learning style too.

• Social environment
• Educational experience
• The basic cognitive structure

For example, the reason why I feel as though I am a assimilating style learner, rather than an accommodating learner, is because my experiences of learning styles have most of the time been structured, through readings or lectures rather than working in groups. Meanwhile I enjoy working in groups especially when it is spoken presentations, as it gives everyone confidence to know that we are their to help one another. Meanwhile I feel I can achieve more when working individually.

Processing Continuum- How we approach a Task
Perception Continuum- Our emotional response or how we think or feel about it
Meanwhile Kolb explains that we cannot perform both of these at the same time (think and feel) however we do either one or the other.