P.O.W.E.R. Learning - Robert S. Feldman

Try It! Interactive Exercise - How I Learn

The best type of learning takes place when learning styles match teaching styles. However, since in a real world, that doesn't often happen, the next best thing is to determine what kind of learning style you DO have, and then try, first of all, to take classes that will best utilize your style of learning and secondly, to adapt your style of learning to a particular instructor's style.

To familiarize yourself with the two most commonly used measures of learning style, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and the Kolb Learning Styles Inventory, read the information available at the following Web sites. Then proceed to do the exercises in Parts I, II, and III.

http://www.gsu.edu/~dschjb/wwwmbti.html
Discusses the four dimensions underlying the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and teaching approaches to use for each type of learner

http://www.personalitypathways.com/
Links to information about many kinds of inventories of personality type including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html
A brief inventory based on Myers-Briggs that gives a quick indication of your personality type

http://www.colorado.edu/gtp/print/kolb.html
Characteristics of Kolb Learning Style Inventory

http://www.algonquinc.on.ca/edtech/gened/styles.html
Visual model of Kolb's description of learning styles

http://payson.tulane.edu/ppham/Learning/lstlyes.html#Kolb's%20Learning%20Styles
Description of Kolb's dimensions of learning style

http://www.educ.drake.edu/doc/dissertations/TMPR/lsi.htm
Additional descriptions of Kolb's dimensions of learning style

I. Describing Learning Styles

According to the Kolb Learning Style Inventory, learners perceive and process information in a combination of methods. After reading the information in the Web resources listed above, describe the predominant characteristics of the type of learning method or style listed in red in the diagram below. Click on each method or style to enter your descriptions.

II. Identifying Learning Styles

In the following exercise you will be shown several scenarios that describe learning situations. Your task is to match the style of learning with the scenario. For this exercise you will use the LSA- "Learning Style Assistant". The LSA will randomly select a scenario. Choose a style of learning from the list which you feel best identifies the scenario and click "Enter." The LSA will continue to select new scenarios automatically until you match each one with its respective learning style. Note: each learning style will be used twice.

Click here to begin...

III. Your Learning Style

How would you define your own learning style? How would you adapt it to a situation that doesn't necessarily fit it?

Your professor may want you to send him/her a copy of this. Just fill out the information below, press the "Submit" button and a copy will be sent to each e-mail address given. Or, you may prefer to print out this page to save a copy for your records.
Your name:
Your e-mail address:
Your instructor's e-mail address:

Previous Exercise

Chapter 3 Contents

Next Exercise