Individual learning methods have increased in the last few decades, and the learning style differs in each individual. Learning style can be termed as a person’s typical habit to gain and develop information. There have been many learning theories, models, and methodologies. The learning styles are different in young people compared to the learning styles of old people and the learning strategies for the young must be carefully applied. David Kolb focused more on adult learning. Kolb’s twelve-item Learning Style Inventory yields four types of learners: divergers, assimilators, convergers, and accommodators (Reid 2005). Kolb’s models are centered on Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) and Learning Styles Inventory (LSI).
The preferred method of learning can enable learning to be correctly positioned in life. Every person undergoes one learning style or other style at some time; however it depends on how a person emphasizes the method in a particular situation. I follow the converging learning style as I can solve many problems and I am continuously trying to find solutions to the problems as I understand that a problem does not have a fixed solution. People with a converging learning style are best at finding practical uses for ideas and theories (R.Sims, J. Sims 1995). I have been proactive in solving technical issues and problems, rather than any social or personal problems. People with a Converging style like to experiment with new ideas, to simulate, and to work with practical applications (Kolb learning styles n.d).
Learning has been oriented according to my preference and I exhibited to learning through the experiential learning method. Since my childhood days I have been fascinated towards technical aspects and I feel a sense of satisfaction in solving the technical problems. I was a reliable person when there were any technical issues to be solved at my home, school, or any place. People were aware of my learning styles, which motivated me to find technical
problems and solve them. Most people clearly exhibit clear strong preferences for a given learning style. (Kolb learning styles n.d). I have always wanted to gain more information by thinking, planning and by analyzing. I use intellectual conceptualization and lively experimentation to think and provide results to the problems.
As mentioned by Kolb the four learning styles mature in three stages of development that are by Acquisition, Specialization and Integration. Individuals learn when they ask questions and as quoted by Jesus et.al (Evans 2006) students within each of these phases tend to ask questions that are congruent with their stage of development. Though the real process of an individual’s growth depends on the individual’s culture, school environment, class room practices, life history and the teaching style, it can be understood that an individual progresses through successive rotations from one stage to another.
Self-Assessment skills created a high level of self-awareness in me and the capability to observe my learning and performance. I had always been metacognitive and I was aware of the knowledge I possessed, ability to understand, and I was able to control and operate my own mental reasoning. I have also done my best in conventional intelligence by providing a single solution to problem.
David Kolb, in his experiential learning in his teaching over years, has noticed that experience alone, be they classroom simulations, exercises, internships, or field projects, produce learning, but learning is enhanced when learners participate in a conversation (Baker, Jensen Kolb 2002). The methods mentioned by Kolb’s model may or may not work but these methods must be used with lot of care. According to research, there is no god. But more than half the world believes there is, and most of the world's development and civilizations’ have been built on such a belief (Kolb learning styles n.d).
References
Baker, Ann C., Jensen, Patricia J., Kolb, David A. (2002). Conversational learning: an
experiential approach to knowledge creation. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Evans, Carol. (2006). Learning styles in education and training. Emerald Group Publishing
Kolb Learning Styles (n.d). David Kolb’s learning styles model and experiential learning theory
(ELT). Retrieved from http://www.businessballs.com/kolblearningstyles.htm
Reid, Gavin., (2005). Learning Styles and Inclusion. Illustrated. Sage Publications.
Sims, Ronald R., Sims, Serbrenia J., (1995). The Importance of Learning Styles: Understanding
the Implications for Learning, Course Design, and Education. Greenwood Publishing Group.
