Psychology Case

Table of contents

 Introduction

Outlining and providing a brief overview of the different types of research methods which have been used to compile the information relating to the different types of learning styles along with a slight analysis of them.

 Literature overview on learning styles

Briefly introducing different learning styles out there and their importance after which focus is directed to an introduction, discussion and analysis of Kolb's learning theory identifying the 4 steps in theory as well as the learning theory cycle in graphical form.

 Research findings

Identifying the realisations made with reference to learning styles and identifying the 4 main types, namely, accommodator, assimilator, diverger and converger.

I then proceed to focus on my learning style identified upon the completion of the questionnaire and interpret my score.

 Discussion and implications

 I will relate theory to practise, by explaining the implications of my learning style as well as reflecting how I am going to overcome an area which seeks development which has been identified as improved planning so as to create more time to be able to complete the many tasks undertaken.

 Teaching methods which appeal to me most along with my contribution if I were placed in a team based on my accommodator learning style.

 I then proceed to comment on the most significant insights I gained from identifying my learning style (accommodator), explaining how I concluded that my areas of development seek attending to.

 Next in this assignment I explain the link between my learning style and personality and proceed to explain how this affects my learning and studying routine and methods.

 Lastly I reflect on my findings in this assignment, what realisations about myself which I have made and explain how I am able to view myself in a more concrete manner knowing that there are other accommodators out there.

 summary and recommendations

I conclude the assignment by discussing the insights gained.

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1. Introduction

Due to this assignment being based on learning styles, it is important to understand what exactly learning styles are, in a broader understanding. People have different learning styles because there are different people in this world. Various methods work for different people given that there are vast differences which set people into categories. Information required to generate this broad perception of learning styles I speak of may be found from different sources, although may fall into 2 main groups, namely:

1. Primary sources

2. Secondary sources

Primary sources are first hand sources of research which provide information which has been obtained from the source therefore are usually more reliable than other forms as they are original documents. An example is a questionnaire which has been made use of to place people in their rightful learning styles .A questionnaire is a set of questions which when completed by respondents give an insight or feedback relating to a particular topic. The learning style indicator questionnaire composed of questions with relevance to contrasting qualities in people for instance being 'loud and outgoing' or 'quiet and shy'.

I have used other sources of primary sources of research to assist me in completing the questionnaire having it being based upon personal qualities I consulted a few of my close friends who have known me for quite some time to judge the type of character I have for instance they led me to place myself in the category of people who are normally the ones to initiate conversation rather than watching people as they know through firsthand experience being with me in public places that I am the outgoing one.

Secondary sources are sources of information which are already in existence, for instance newspaper reports. In this context I used the internet to assist me in understanding the different types of learning styles there are and analysing Kolb's learning theory as I was unable to source information from the prescribed textbook .Internet sources provided vast unlimited information which enabled me to generate a broad understanding of the topic of learning styles as well as understanding my style (accommodator).

2 Literature overview on learning styles

Knowing your learning style enables you to identify your weakness in order to develop strategies of overcoming them and identifying strengths so as to capitalise on them. Often people need concrete facts to help them understand things better for instance although I had an idea that I was an accommodator I was uncertain of some of the weaknesses it entails but upon the completion of the questionnaire I had concrete proof and thus I am now able to work on my weaknesses and capitalise my strengths with the help of Kolb's learning theory.

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Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience (David A Kolb, 1984:38).

Kolb's learning theory seeks to place learning into 4 stages namely:

1. Concrete experience (or 'Do')

2. Reflective observation(or 'Observe)

3. Abstract conceptualisation(or 'Think')

4. Active experimentation(or 'Plan')

This shows that learning can be carried out strategically and if the steps are followed in sequence, the outcome would be positive. Kolb's theory shows how experience can be converted into theory.

The first stage involves concrete experience or 'doing' a task for instance carrying out fieldwork. This is the active stage where no analysis or conclusions are drawn but mere execution