Kolb's Learning Styles Kolb (1974) suggested four distinct learning styles based on a four-stage learning cycle which are Diverging, Assimilating, Converging, and Accommodating. He believed that people learn differently and have preferred learning style. Many factors such as social environment, educational experiences, or the basic cognitive structure of the individual can influence a person's preferred style. This knowledge is essential for instructors because it helps them get a sense of how best to interact with different learners and address their preferred learning styles. According to Kolb (1974), each learning style is a combination of two learning styles. For example, diverging and assimilating learning styles are a combination of feeling /watching and watching/ thinking respectively. Also, converging and accommodating learning styles are a mixture of doing/thinking and doing/ feeling respectively. Based on Kolb’s diverging learning style, divergent learners process information through watching and feeling. They are warm, outgoing, concrete thinkers, expressive, spontaneous, and group-oriented. They are also affected by feelings and emotions, and they like people and listen to others with an open mind. They learn through interaction rather than content driven. Hands-on projects that can be completed in group work, pairs, or team can be good learning activities for this kind of learners. Another type of learning style is assimilating. This kind of individuals are precise, logical, and data-gathering. They are able to understand a wide range of information and categorize it into logical, precise, and clear form. They are also interested in ideas and abstract concepts. Assimilating learners prefer readings, lectures, exploring analytical models, and thinking about information. These kind of learners are very successful in science careers. Moreover, Kolb believed that converging learners can solve practical problems and suggest tangible solutions by using their knowledge. They are not interested in interpersonal interaction rather than they prefer technical tasks and experimenting with new ideas and methods.The last style of learning is accommodating (doing and feeling). This kind of learners rely on intuition and learn by doing, trial and error. Also, they like to work in teams, engage new challenges, and make plans.
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Experiential Learning Cycle In 1984, David A. Kolb introduced the theory of Experiential Learning. This theory was established based on the humanistic and constructivist perspective. According to Kolb (1984), individuals can learn when they create knowledge though experiential transformations. Hence, experience is considered as the source of learning and development. In other words, experience plays a significant role in the learning process. Based on the Experiential Learning Cycle, effective learning can occur in four stages which are Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation. Concrete Experience is the fist step and begins with doing something in which the individual, team or organization are assigned a task. So, active involvement is key to learning. Based on this model, individuals must actually do to learn effectively. They cannot learn by simply watching or reading about it. Reflective Observation is the second stage in the experiential learning cycle model. “This means taking time-out from "doing" and stepping back from the task and reviewing what has been done and experienced”. At this stage, people can discuss with others and ask questions from them regarding their experience. The third step is Abstract Conceptualization. In this stage, people can use their previous knowledge to explain and interpret the relationship between factors or the impact of variables on other variables. They can also make comparisons between what they have done and reflect on what they already know. In Active Experimentation, the final stage of the learning cycle, learners think how they can put everything they have learnt in this process into practice. Thinking and planning help learners make predictions and create action plans to solve problems. For effective and deep learning, people need to place it in a context that is relevant to them. If they cannot realize the benefits of their learning in their life, it will be forgotten very quickly. The above stages are related to each other, learners should complete all of them, and follow them through their sequence to learn effectively. Do you currently read any blogs? Why? Nowadays, the number of blogs on the Internet has increased dramatically. Blogs are considered as one of most popular tools for knowledge sharing. According to Rainie (2005), blog readership increased 58% in 2004. The number of blogs in the U.S. also surged from 29,500 in 2000 to 5,340,000 in 2005. Regarding the advantages of blog, many scholars believe that blogs encourage reflective learning. They can be used as a diary to keep a record of achievement and of interesting material. Blogs can increase students’ motivation for learning and decrease feelings of isolation among online students and promote students deep learning. There are many educational blogs on the Internet. For example, ElearningIndustry.com is one of fantastic eLearning blogs that contains interesting, fresh, fun, and enjoyable information. ElearningIndustry covers lots of great content in the area of online education. “At eLearning Industry you can find the best collection of eLearning articles, eLearning concepts, eLearning software, and eLearning resources.” All articles have been written by eLearning professionals, Instructional Designers, and educational technologists.
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