Major Themes
Introduction
Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learning Styles (VAK)
VAK Survey
David Kolb and Experiential Learning
Honey and Mumford
The Learning Style Survey
Carl Jung and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences
Putting Learning Styles into Perspective
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This survey is designed to help you gain an understanding of learning styles so that you can incorporate the various learning styles in your daily learning activities. It is NOT meant to show you your best way of learning as the research does not promote that. Rather, it is a tool for learning-to-learn (metacognition) in order to increase self-awareness about your strengths and weaknesses as a learner so that hopefully you will try the various means of learning, rather than sticking with your preferred methods.
Note that like any survey of this nature, it is not 100 percent accurate, but it should help you gain some understanding of your preferred learning styles based on two continuums:
- Processing Continuum: Our approach to a task - learn by doing or watching.
- Perception Continuum: Our emotional response - learn by thinking or feeling.
For a learning style survey based on modalities (Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic), see VAK.
Instructions
Read each statement carefully. To the left of each statement, write the code that best describes how each statement applies to you.
Answer honestly as there are no correct or incorrect answers. It is best if you do not think about each question too long, as this could lead you to the wrong conclusion.
SECTION 1
Write either "Doing" or "Watching" next to the statements below, depending upon the part of the statement you most closely relate to.
- _____ Doing - I often produce off-the-cuff ideas that at first might seem silly or
half-baked. Watching - I am thorough and methodical.
- _____ Doing - I am normally the one who initiates conversations. Watching - I enjoy
watching people.
- _____ Doing - I am flexible and open minded. Watching - I am careful and cautious.
- _____ Doing - I like to try new and different things without too much
preparation. Watching - I investigate a new topic or process in depth before trying it.
- _____ Doing - I am happy to have a go at new things. Watching
- I draw up lists up possible courses of actions when starting
a new project.
- _____ Doing - I like to get involved and to participate. Watching
- I like to read and observe.
- _____ Doing - I am loud and outgoing. Watching - I am
quiet and somewhat shy.
- _____ Doing - I make quick and bold decisions. Watching -
I make cautious and logical decisions.
- _____ Doing - I speak fast, while thinking. Watching -
I speak slowly, after thinking.
Total number of Doings - _____. Total number of Watchings - _____. The one that has the larger number is your task preference.
SECTION 2
Write either "Thinking" or "Feeling" next to the statement below, depending upon the part of the statement you most closely relate to.
- _____ Thinking - I ask probing questions when learning a new subject.
Feeling - I am good at picking up hints and techniques from
other people.
- _____ Thinking - I am rational and logical. Feeling - I am practical and down to earth.
- _____ Thinking - I plan events down to the last detail. Feeling
- I like realistic, but flexible plans.
- _____ Thinking - I like to know the right answers before trying something
new. Feeling - I try things out by practicing to see if they work.
- _____ Thinking - I analyze reports to find the basic assumptions and inconsistencies.
Feeling - I rely upon others to give me the basic gist of
reports.
- _____ Thinking - I prefer working alone. Feeling - I enjoy
working with others.
- _____ Thinking - Others would describe me as serious, reserved,
and formal. Feeling - Others would describe me as verbal, expressive, and informal.
- _____ Thinking - I use facts to make decisions. Feeling - I
use feelings to make decisions.
- _____ Thinking - I am difficult to get to know. Feeling - I
am easy to get to know.
Total number of Thinkings - _____. Total number of Feelings - _____. The one that has the larger number is your thought or emotional preference.
SCORING PROCEDURES
Each preference (high score) from the two above sections are used to determine your learning style:
If you prefer Watching and Feeling then you are a Reflector:
- Prefers to learn from activities that allows watching, thinking, and to review what has happened, such as brainstorming and cooperative groups.
- Lectures may be helpful but only if they provide expert explanations and analysis.
- Likes innovative and imaginative approaches to doing things.
- Prefers to view situations from many perspectives.
- Interested in people and tends to be feeling-oriented.
If you prefer Watching and Thinking then you are a Philosopher:
- Prefers to pull a number of different observations and thoughts into an integrated whole in a step-by-step manner (go from details to big-picture).
- Prefers to reason logically and design models, theories, and projects.
- Likes lectures, analogies, systems, and case studies.
- Talking with experts is normally not helpful.
If you prefer Doing and Thinking then you are a Analyst:
- Prefers the practical application of ideas, solving problems, feedback, and decision-making (obvious links between the task-on-hand and a problem).
- Prefers technical problems over interpersonal issues.
- Prefers to apply new learnings to actual practice to see if they work.
- Likes laboratories, field work, observations, and coaching.
If you prefer Doing and Feeling then you are a Organizer:
- Good at adapting to changing circumstances and solves problems in an intuitive, trial-and-error manner, such as discovery learning.
- Tends to be at ease with people.
- Prefers the challenges of new experiences, involvement with others, assimilations, and role-playing.
- Likes anything new, problem solving, and small group discussions.
You will best learn by using ALL four styles, rather than your preferred learning style. That is, you should incorporate the styles so that you use the Learning Cycle
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