Knowing our learning styles for effective learning.

What is learning styles? How to identify our learning styles? Why we are so bothered about it? How can its help in improving our learning effectiveness? These are questions commonly asked once we are discussing about learning styles.

Everyone have diferrent learning styles. Learning styles are classified into various ways, but most established and widely used learning styles classification are VARK and Kolb's learning styles. In this article we are going to explore Kolb's Learning Styes. Kolb's (1984) postulated that there are four learning styles exist that combine to form two learning dimensions which are perception continuum and process continuum. It is theorised that everybody use each of the learning style to some extent but has a preffered learning style resulting tendency to learn either through concrete experience (feeling), through abstract conceptualisation (thinking), through reflective observation (watching) or through active experimentation (doing). James Zull (2002) stated that "The art of changging the brain is by enriching learning by exploring the nature of learning". On top of that, Darwin stated that "It is not the strongest of species that survive, not the most intelingence, but the most responsive to the change." Thus, by knowing and understanding our learning style nature we can response and adapt to changes better which can help in enhancing our learning effectivenes.

How to recognise our own learning style preference? In general, according to Kolb, there are four categories of learning style which are called as Diverging, Assimilating, Converging and Accomodating. Each category have their own characteristics and by knowing it we can identify our own learning style in term of the most preferred and the least preffered. Diverging is combination of feeling and watching. Assimilating is combination of watching and thinking. Converging is combination of thinking and doing. Accomodating is combination of doing and feeling.

Individual with diverging learning style see things is various aspects, they have a lot of ideas and sensitive to feeling. they like brainstorming session and gathering information. Usually When they learning they preferred groups discussion in order them to gather information, they like personal feedback and listening with open minded. Individual with assimilating learning style like the ideas and concept rather than practical application, they have ability to understand a broad range of information and they will put it in concise, systematic and logical form, and they tend to use evaluate things based on ideas and theories rather than practical application. When learn, they like lecture, reading, exploring theories and take some times to think through before acting. Individual with converging learning style like to find out the practical uses of teories and concepts, they have ability to solve problems and to make decision towards questions or problems based on finding solutions. When learn, they like to experiment ideas and concept, simulation, laboratory works and practical applications. Individual with accomodating learning style tend to learn primarily based on the experiences during practical session, they do what they was planned, like to try out ideas which are new and challenging, they tend to make their decision based on their feeling rather than logical thinking and they heavily depending on other to find information. When learn, they like working in group to complete assignments, they like field-work, and they like to try out new approaches t0 complete tasks or projects. These are the characteristics of the learning styles. Now reflect on ourselves and gauge where we are. Which is the most fits and describes us? Which is the least fits and describes us? Answer the questions and you will find out your learning nature.

It is hoped that this brief introduction on learning styles can help us in improving our learning effectiveness and preparing us to be a responsive person to changes.