(Image from http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm)
The illustration above describes David Kolb’s “four stages of learning cycles” which comprise the following:
1) Concrete Experience (CE) or Feeling
2) Reflective Observation (RO) or Watching
3) Abstract Conceptualization (AC) or Thinking
4) Active Experimentation (AE) or Doing
The connection between the 4 stages of learning produces “four types of learning styles." These are:
(Image from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/perform/brainstorm.jpg)
1. Diverging = CE + RO = Feeling & Watching
Characteristics of Divergent Learners:
a. sensitive, imaginative and emotional
b. have broad cultural interests
c. prefer to brainstorm, work in group
(Image from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR161N5psj0_Tob5w0R2iqowrC4_kvu2_TCepcnYuB4aWsD8b6NiczDsSXWdREe25M9fNRfGkyDSJTGVG_hufrPZcZMcsZ0QUTA-LlLGtNvghfyHcaYWFbxALhAjJEoarHuwh9R5A-KmRa/s1600/models.png)
2. Assimilation = AC + RO = Thinking & Watching
Characteristics of Assimilators:
a. less focused on people, more on ideas and concepts
b. prefer concise, logical approach
c. more interested on logical theories than practical value of approaches
3. Converging = AC + AE = Thinking & Doing
Converging learners tend to:
a. prefer technical tasks, less concerned with people
b. experiment with new ideas and to work with practical applications
c. find solutions themselves
4. Accommodation = CE + AE = Feeling & Doing
People with accommodating learning styles:
a. use other people’s analysis and prefer to work in teams
b. rely on intuition rather that logic
c. often act on ‘gut’ instinct
Kolb also explains that our tendency to reconcile and integrate appropriately the 4 learning styles is enhanced as we mature. These development stages are identified by Kolb as:
1. Acquisition – from birth to adolescence – development of basic abilities and cognitive structures
2. Specialization – schooling, early work and personal experiences of adulthood – the development of specialized learning style as influenced by social, learning and organization interaction
3. Integration – mid-career through to later life – manifestation of non-dominant learning style at work and personal experiences.
Images
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/perform/brainstorm.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR161N5psj0_Tob5w0R2iqowrC4_kvu2_TCepcnYuB4aWsD8b6NiczDsSXWdREe25M9fNRfGkyDSJTGVG_hufrPZcZMcsZ0QUTA-LlLGtNvghfyHcaYWFbxALhAjJEoarHuwh9R5A-KmRa/s1600/models.png
http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/groups/pubs/berkeleyhaas/summer2012/images_local/converging.jpg
http://lrrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/lrrSecure/Sites/Web/13289/resources/images/learnstyle.jpg
Source
Kolb Learning Styles. In Businessballs.com. Retrieved from http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm
