Learning Styles

Executive Summary

Learning also known as studying usually occurs when some one can demonstrate that he/she knows something that they don’t know before and/or when they can do something they couldn’t do before (skills). Learning is set of skills, and like all other skills one can improve and develop them over time. Therefore it is important spending some time reflecting on how to learn best, so that once learning can be more efficient and effective.

Honey & Mumford’s (1986) designed a Learning Style Questionnaire, which has four styles and these styles are Theorist, Activist, Reflector and Pragmatist. One of the four learning styles described by Honey & Mumford (1986) is what we shall consider in this paper.

Reflectors

Reflectors like to stand back to ponder 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 thorough 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 possible angles and implications 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 drift 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.

Conclusion

Honey and Mumford (1992) define a reflector as one who likes to stand back and ponder experiences from many different angles. They collect data and prefer to think about it thoroughly before coming to any conclusion. They tend to be cautious and thoughtful and usually listen to discussions and get the gist of the arguments before making their own points.

Once you have identified that the reflector learning style is the one that most closely suit you. You can improve your learning skills following the Honey and Mumford strategies stated in this paper

References

1. De Bono, E. (1967) The Use of Lateral Thinking, Penguin Books Ltd, Harmondsworth.
2.   Honey, P. and Mumford, A. (1986) The Manual of Learning Styles Peter Honey, Maidenhead, UK.
3.   Honey, P. and Mumford, A. (1992) The Manual of Learning Styles, Peter Honey, Maidenhead, UK.