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Which type of learner are you?

Everyone approaches learning in a different way. It is important to understand which learning approach is best adapted to you and your team members to ensure effective individual development.

Diverging (feeling and watching - BRAINSTORMER)

• These people are able to look at things from different perspectives. They are sensitive. They prefer to watch rather than do, tending to gather information and use imagination to solve problems. They are best at viewing concrete situations several different viewpoints. Kolb called this style ‘Diverging’ because these people perform better in situations that require ideas-generation, for example, brainstorming. People with a Diverging learning style have broad cultural interests and like to gather information. They are interested in people, tend to be imaginative and emotional, and tend to be strong in the arts. People with the Diverging style prefer to work in groups, to listen with an open mind and to receive personal feedback.

Assimilating (watching and thinking - INTEGRATOR)

The Assimilating learning preference is for a concise, logical approach. Ideas and concepts are more important than people. These people require good clear explanation rather than practical opportunity. They excel at understanding wide-ranging information and organizing it in a clear logical format. People with an Assimilating learning style are less focused on people and more interested in ideas and abstract concepts. People with this style are more attracted to logically sound theories than approaches based on practical value. This learning style can be important for effectiveness in information and science careers. In formal learning situations, people with this style prefer readings, lectures, exploring analytical models, and having time to think things through. 

Converging (doing and thinking – PROBLEM SOLVER)

People with a Converging learning style can solve problems and will use their learning to find solutions to practical issues. They prefer technical tasks, and are less concerned with people and interpersonal aspects. People with a Converging learning style are best at finding practical uses for ideas and theories. They can solve problems and make decisions by finding solutions to questions and problems. People with a Converging learning style are more attracted to technical tasks and problems than social or interpersonal issues. A Converging learning style enables specialist and technology abilities. People with a Converging style like to experiment with new ideas, to simulate, and to work with practical applications.

Accommodating (doing and feeling - DOER)

The Accommodating learning style is ‘hands-on’, and relies on intuition rather than logic. These people use other people’s analysis, and prefer to take a practical, experiential approach. They are attracted to new challenges and experiences, and to carrying out plans. They commonly act on ‘gut’ instinct rather than logical analysis. People with an Accommodating learning style will tend to rely on others for information than carry out their own analysis. This learning style is prevalent and useful in roles requiring action and initiative. People with an Accommodating learning style prefer to work in teams to complete tasks. They set targets and actively work in the field trying different ways to achieve an objective.

The quick test below should help you and your teams identify your learning type.

Learning Style test:

Kolb Learning Inventory, Quick Questionnaire:

4= most like you, 1= least like you… rank each response.

1. When I learn:

___ I like to deal with my feelings. (CE)

___ I like to think about ideas. (AC)

___ I like to be doing things. (AE)

___ I like to watch and listen. (RO)

2. I learn best when:

___ I listen and watch carefully. (RO)

___ I rely on logical thinking. (AC)

___ I trust my hunches and feelings. (CE)

___ I work hard to get things done. (AE)

3. When I am learning:

___ I tend to reason things out.(AC)

___ I am responsible about things. (AE)

___ I am quiet and reserved. (RO)

___ I have strong feelings & reactions. (CE)

4. I learn by:

___ feeling. (CE)

___ doing. (AE)

___ watching. (RO)

___ thinking. (AC)

5. When I learn:

___ I get involved. (CE)

___ I like to observe. (RO)

___ I evaluate things. (AC)

___ I like to be active. (AE)

AE‐ Active Experimentation Score: ______

RO‐ Reflective Observation Score: ______

CE‐ Concrete Experience Score: _______

AC‐ Abstract Conceptualization Score: ______

Which two scores are your highest scores?

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