Learning styles
People learn in different ways – some find hands-on practice a better way to develop a skill, while some deal better with concepts; some prefer visual stimulus and a group environment, whilst others are happy with text-based materials and learn best by themselves.
Academics Honey and Mumford have identified four different types of learner according to their learning styles:
- Activists: learn best by doing for themselves
- Reflectors: like to observe and think about what they see
- Theorists: want to understand underlying concepts and facts
- Pragmatists: need to see the potential practical application of learning
Ensuring development is effective for individuals means taking account of the person’s learning style preference where possible, and developing activities which help them develop the skills or knowledge in a format which best suits them.
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