Concept of the method
6. COLB’S LEARNING STYLES
American educational theorist David A. Kolb believes that “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”.
The theory presents a cyclical model of learning, consisting of four stages:
Source: Kolb, David A. 1984. Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J
Kolb's learning styles have been adapted by two management development specialists, Peter Honey and Alan Mumford. They use a four-way classification that closely resembles that of Kolb but is simplified for use in a practical training situation.
They supported that all people have one of these four styles to learn, and can be Activists, Reflectors, Theorists or Pragmatists:
· Activists love new experiences. They enjoy the “here and now” and are happy to be dominated by immediate experiences. They are not sceptical. They are open-minded. They tend to be enthusiastic about anything that is new. Their philosophy is: 'I'll try anything at least once in my life'. They tend to act first and think of the consequences afterwards.
They deal with problems by brainstorming.
As soon as the excitement from one activity has faded, they are busy looking for the next one. They love the challenges of new experiences. However, they feel bored with the implementation process.
· Reflectors like to stand back and think about experiences and observe them from many different perspectives. They collect data, both first-hand and from others and prefer to think about it thoroughly before coming to any conclusion.
The systematic collection and analysis of data about experiences and events is what counts, so they tend to postpone reaching definitive conclusions for as long as possible. Their philosophy is to be cautious.
They are thoughtful people who like to consider all possibilities and suggestions before making a move. They prefer to take a back seat in meetings and discussions. They enjoy observing other people in action. They listen to others and get the meaning of the discussion before making their own points.
They tend to adopt a low profile and have a slightly distant, tolerant unruffled air about them. When they act, it is part of a wide picture which includes the past as well as the present and others' observations as well as their own.
· Theorists adapt and put together observations into complex but logically sound theories. They think problems through in a vertical, step by step, logical way. They assimilate different facts into coherent theories. They tend to be perfectionists.
They like to analyse and synthesize. They are eager on basic assumptions, principles, theories, models and systems of thinking. Their philosophy praises rationality and logic. If something is logical, then it’s good.
Questions they frequently ask are: 'Does it make sense?' 'How does this fit with that?' 'What are the basic assumptions?'
They tend to be detached, analytical and dedicated to rational objectivity rather than anything subjective. Their method to solve problems is consistently logical.
This is their concept and they strictly reject anything that doesn't fit with this concept. They prefer to maximize certainty and feel uncomfortable with subjective judgements, lateral thinking and anything superficial.
· Pragmatists are enthusiastic on trying out ideas, theories and techniques to see if they work in practice. They always search new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with applications.
They want to put in practice any new idea. They like to get on with things and act quickly and confidently on ideas that attract them.
They tend to be impatient with ruminating and open-ended discussions. They are making practical decisions and they solve problems. They respond to problems and opportunities 'as a challenge'. Their philosophy is: There is always a better way' and 'If it works it's good'.