One other interesting theory related to the learning process is Kolb's learning model, whereby learners need four different kinds of abilities: concrete experience abilities, reflective observation abilities, abstract conceptualizing abilities, and active experimentation abilities. Learners must be able to become fully involved in new experiences, must reflect on their experiences from many perspectives, create concepts that merge their observations into theories, and use these theories for problem-solving and decision-making (Merriam & Bierema, 2014). This experiential learning model links with four learning styles: diverging, assimilating, converging, and accommodating.
This website provides a great summary of Kolb's learning styles. I found the following image on the website as well: http://www.jcu.edu.au/wiledpack/modules/fsl/JCU_090344.html I like this video on learning styles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUTLDG-fHFE I think I have visual and kinesthetic style. "I had always heard ‘follow your passions’ but your passions come from what you tend to practice…if you blindly follow your passions you are going to be getting good at something that a lot of people will be good at and it will be hard to differentiate. So do not just follow your passions. Instead, broaden your passions. You should be willing to experiment and push yourself in your learning." - Dr. Barbara Oakley
Here is more on how the MOOC approaches how we learn. It is at three levels: 1) concepts and principles that originate from the relevant sciences 2) illustrations and metaphors that are designed to help us understand grasp these concepts 3) practical tips that we can utilize in our learning endeavors. Below are a few of the most interesting practical tips that are discussed in the MOOC:
Barbara uses another good metaphor, that of learning how to drive a car. Some people may learn to drive fairly easily, and others may struggle through driver’s education, but virtually every mentally competent adult learns to drive in a short period of time (this actually consists of a highly complex set of skills). Yet, we don’t hear about people who gave it up just after trying because they found “they had no talent for it,” nor people who have been learning to drive “off and on for 10 years, not really making much progress.” It is just something we learn to do because it is important to us! This is the same way we should think about a lot of learning. Source: https://www.class-central.com/report/coursera-learning-how-to-learn/ I was talking to my children (aged 13 and 15) on this topic and they mentioned that everybody in their class (grade 8 and 10) learn and study while listening to music and that they learn better. I thought that was very weird and impossible. |