Learning Styles

This evaluation will help you identify your preferred 'learning style' - that is, how you learn best and the most effective learning activities for you. Also explore relationships between Learning Styles and the LINKup Employability Skills (including Key Competencies).

It will help you better understand and improve your learning AND make effective choices in your learning. You have your own unique mix of different learning styles but will most likely have one dominant learning style which you will discover from this evaluation.

There are NO RIGHT or WRONG answers and this evaluation does not seek to judge or ‘label’ you but simply to raise your awareness of your learning preferences. This evaluation is for YOU alone!

 

 

What kind of learner are you?…

	(A) Adventurous	(S) Social
	(P) Practical	(C) Conceptual

 

 

 

Part 1 - What I like when learning...

Tick EVERY response that you think represents you (ie one or more for each question)

1. I like to learn by

	(A) trial-and-error & doing it ‘my own way’	(S) collaborating with others and sharing ideas
	(P) doing practical things and tinkering	(C) researching and taking time to think things over

 

 

2. When learning something, I really need to know.

	(A) its possibilities and potential benefits in real life’	(S) why it is important
	(P) how to do it	(C) what the facts, latest research and expert opinions are

 

 

3. When attempting something new, I rely on my…

	(A) ability to come up with new ideas and ways to apply them	(S) own personal experience and my intuition or ‘gut feel’
	(P) common sense	(C) thinking and reasoning ability

 

 

4. When I buy a new appliance I…

	(A) immediately plug it in and start pushing buttons	(S) talk to someone about what I will do with it and how to use it
	(P) experiment with every feature systematically to find out how it all works	(C) read the user’s manual to find out all about it and how to use it correctly

 

 

5. I think I am…

	(A) free-spirited and innovative	(S) spontaneous and people oriented
	(P) practical and down to earth	(C) analytical and inventive

 

 

6. I would prefer to be…

	(A) an entrepreneur	(S) a poet
	(P) an engineer	(C) an inventor

 

 

7. I am more of…

	(A) an explorer	(S) a talker & listener
	(P) a doer	(C) a thinker

 

 

8. In my course it is most important to …

	(A) find new possibilities and apply them to improve existing ways	(S) establish a learning community in which I feel comfortable
	(P) put theory into practice	(C) develop a thorough understanding

 

 

9. My preferred approach to work or study is to…

	(A) work to my own agenda, changing as necessary	(S) go with the flow accommodating changes as necessary
	(P) develop a plan and stick to it to completion	(C) continue until each topic is comprehensively covered

 

 

 

10. I'm happy when my course allows me to…

	(A) do things my way and prove and improve things for myself	(S) feel accepted and valued as part of a team learning about things I believe in
	(P) complete a project efficiently, effectively and on schedule	(C) resolve all 'loose ends' in developing a new concept in my mind

 

 

 

Part 2 - My Strengths

Tick ALL the items that you feel apply to you.

I am...

	(Adventurous) a risk taker able to apply new ideas to the real world focussed on reality impulsive innovative / creative inspired by change curious strongly individual & independent visionary focussed on ’big picture’ / holistic views	(Social) people oriented collaborative guided by strong values and morals idealistic spontaneous adaptable / flexible sensitive to people’s feelings intuitive / imaginative keen to ensure harmony focussed on broad / holistic views
	(Practical) hands on skilled at organising & managing time productive factual focussed on detail (practical detail) a common sense person accurate stable / dependable keen to seek perfection consistent	(Conceptual) analytical good at logical thinking and reasoning good at developing models and theories able to visualise and analyse concepts systematic / thorough imaginative (concepts and ideas) focussed on detail (theoretical detail) thoughtful / reflective objective a researcher
Part 3 - My Favourite Learning Activities Tick ALL the items that apply to you. I like...
	(Adventurous) self-directed / self-paced activities real life applications presenting my findings to others simulations (to explore new ideas) online explorations / research lots of choice / options mini lectures independent or small group work developing 'big picture' ideas exploring visual activities self-evaluation (Self-Check Exercises) using initiative to develop own activities integrating learning into my own life moderated forums exploring big issues asynchronous online forums/email problem solving real life issues designing website to share achievements hypothetical questions (eg What if .?) interactive multimedia	(Social) group activities discussions / debates informal online chats / email moderated forums (including online) joint projects observing / interviewing people excursions / site visits short readings stories / metaphors / anecdotes media presentations (TV, newspapers ..) case studies poems personalised literature (about people) magazines / journals videos (people oriented) sharing / brainstorming ideas biographies games / role plays / simulation games tutorials personal feedback activities
	(Practical) practical activities experiments working with technical manuals following specific procedures reading (instructions / dot point facts) applying models / theories computer simulations (practical designs) practical projects real world application tinkering visual as well as text based info quizzes / puzzles / text book problems annotated references and links practical problem solving / faultfinding industry work experience text book summaries designing and building practical demonstrations (live or video) project planning / scheduling structured field trips	(Conceptual) reading (theories, concepts, non-fiction) research (including online) computer simulations lectures debates essays discussions with experts / specialists online links with experts (forums/email) graphics and text challenging / testing models and theories verbal activities questionnaires / surveys glossaries / Frequently Asked Questions analysing practical results drawing conclusions thinking and reflecting activities detailed discussions defining concepts (in words/diags/video) designing / drawing concepts visually multimedia presentations