Week 1

What have I learned about my learning styles this week? There are a few things that I felt I already knew about myself, and then there were lots of new details about my particular learning styles that I hadn't realized before. After going through several surveys and multiple intelligence tests and analyses, I found some interesting discrepencies or conflictions between some of the results. This is actually an important point about how we learn as humans - that there is no accurate way to pinpoint any individual's learning style as it is a dynamic process that can change over time and greatly depends on each individual's surroundings or environment.

Here are my results and response to each of the tests/surveys that I took:

The Kaleidoscope Inventory

AUDITORY (4/12)
TACTUAL (3/12)
KINESTHETIC (12/12)
VISUAL (10/12)

Perceptual & Organizational Styles

SEQUENTIAL (8/12)
GLOBAL (7/12)
ABSTRACT (4/12)
CONCRETE (10/12)
CONCRETE-SEQUENTIAL (18/24)
The highest numbers that you received for Abstract/Concrete and Global/Sequential have been combined. There are four possible combinations. An equal score may result in more than one preference.

Personality Styles

SENSING-JUDGING (9/12)
INTUITIVE-THINKING (7/12)
INTUITIVE-FEELING (5/12)
SENSING-PERCEIVING (10/12)

My Response: I have found that I am not the greatest communicator by speaking, so I believe it is accurate that of all the sensory styles, auditory is low. I already knew that I work best under organization, so I think these results can be assumed accurate as far as me being stronger in organization skills/learning. I also scored lower in Tactual learning styles - I wasn't aware of this specific learning style, which seems to be about emotions playing the role in learning. I already considered myself an emotional being, but I may not be when it comes to learning. It's interesting that I am not very strong in this type of learning style. My highest score was in Kinesthetic Learning which relates to the outdoors, physical movement, and challenges. I think this is true, especially since I have always enjoyed playing sports and being active. My next strongest skill was Visual Learning which involves keen observation skills and critical thinking. I believe this to be also be accurate for my learning styles.

When it comes to the Perceptual and Organizational Styles, I am strongest in Concrete-Sequential, which has the traits of struggling with creativity, but learning in a sequential, logical order. I also scored higher in Global Learning skills which is described as likes to see the big picture as I did in Sensing/Perceiving, which enjoy action and excitement, along with competitiveness and challenges. My lowest skill was Abstract Learning. Abstract learners prefer concepts and symbols to help them learn rather than the literal and obvious tactics. Overall, I believe these results to be accurate when it comes to describing my learning styles.

As for the Personality styles, they to seem to fit the styles or methods I most easily follow, and also the ones that I am not very strong in utilizing for learning. My stronger area was Sensing, Perceiving and Judging where my lesser skills for learning were Intuitive Thinking and Feeling.

V.A.R.K.

VISUAL: 2
AURAL: 2
READ/WRITE: 6
KINESTHETIC: 6

"Multimodal - 50-70% of the population falls into this style of learning. Multimodals choose to match their mode to those around them. Where opposite of Multimodal types would be those people who try to not match (or annoy) those around them. An example would be asking for a written response when you know the other person prefers their usual approach of oral communication."

My Response: I learned from this test that I fall into the Read/Write & Kinesthetic category as strong skills and that I am less skilled with Visual & Aural learning. The test mentions another detail where people who choose fewer than 17 options are more decisive than others that choose over 17 in the Multimodal group. I chose 16 options, but I think this shows me that I may not be a highly decisive person, but at least somewhat decisive.

The most interesting thing I noticed about this test was that it contradicts The Kaleidoscope Inventory test. The V.A.R.K. portrays me as not being a visual learner where The Kaleidoscope Inventory test shows me as a strong visual learner.

Multiple Intelligences Checklist

Interpersonal Intelligence (7/12)
Intrapersonal Intelligence (6/12)
Logical - Mathematical Intelligence (12/12)
Linguistic Intelligence (8/12)
Bodily - Kinaesthetic Intelligence (10/12)
Spatial Intelligence (10/12)
Musical Intelligence (3/12)
Naturalist Intelligence (6/12)

My Response: After reviewing the results from the Multiple Intelligences Checklist, I quickly saw the similarities with The Kaleidoscope Inventory. Also in this test, my stronger skills were with Logical/Mathematic, Bodily/Kinesthetic, and Spatial Intelligences. My weaker skills were in Intrapersonal, Musical, and Naturalist Intelligences. I think that these results in combination with The Kaleidoscope Inventory results, can enable you to see a more clear picture of your personal learning styles.

I have learned that the more you learn about your personal learning styles, the more you will be able to learn more effeciently and effectively and therefore, teach others to learn better too. I also learned that there are many different types of learning that can be used to "rate" your strength levels in one or the other learning styles, and even equal strength or weakness between some styles. These tests cannot be totally accurate since each individual's learning styles are dynamic can change over time or in different environments, but it can however, be used as tool to help increase the knowledge of your own learning styles, so that you may improve your learning methods.