Who I Am as a Learner?
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PART 1 WHO I AM AS A LEARNER? 1.1 What is learning? What is learning? One of the definition implies that learning leads to a change in behavior. “An experiential process which results in an individual displaying relatively permanent changes in underlying values of behavior so that the individual is able to adapt to a changing environment” (Rollinson et al, 1998) In addition, the term ‘‘learning styles’’ refers to the concept that individuals differ in regard to what mode of instruction or study is most effective for them. (Harold Pashler, Mark McDaniel, Doug Rohrer, and Robert Bjork, 2008)And below are some examples which showing different learning styles:SerialistHolistControlledImpulsiveDependentIndependentMatureImmatureStructuredUnstructuredFamiliarUnfamiliarInstructionalExperimentalDeep learningSurface learningOn the other hand, someone will ask why we need to try to understand the learning styles? As we know that knowing the learning style tells how you like to communicate and it can help individual to make improvement if they can reflect their learning styles, also it may use learning style theory to assist career counseling and Individual may show specific career patterns that are aligned with their learning preferences etc.…1.2 VARK questionnaire 1.2.1 What is VARK? VARK is a test to help people to identify their preferred learning styles and find out ways that enable to learn faster. And it’s divided to 5 characteristics:Learning PreferenceInterestsVisualThe depiction of information in maps, spider diagrams, charts, graphs, flow charts, labelled diagrams, and all the symbolic arrows, circles, hierarchies and other devicesAuralThis perceptual mode describes a preference for information that is “heard or spoken.” They learn best from lectures, group discussion, radio, email, using mobile phones, speaking, web-chat and talking things throughRead/WriteThis preference is for information displayed as words and emphasizes text-based input and output – reading and writing in all its forms but especially manuals, reports, essays and assignments. KinestheticThis modality refers to the “perceptual preference related to the use of experience and practiceMultimodalThere are mixtures of those four modes. Those who do not have a standout mode with one preference.
1.2.2 Implication for learningVisualAuralRead/WriteKinesthetic89812The VARK test results show that my learning style should be prefer aural and kinesthetic (Multimodal). I totally agree with the test result. For aural side, I think it’s totally affecting in my secondary school period as my secondary school really suggested the students need to ask questions in the class. Also, we are not only need to submit the normal homework as the school suggested the students to discuss with the classmates and present the homework in the class. In addition, I am working in a Multinational company which also really suggests all the employees to discuss on different topic no matter which position we are working in. Those experience really push me rely to communicate with each other’s.After that, my second strength—Kinesthetic, in my opinion, my learning preferences are influenced by my secondary school period as I was a basketball team member which it’s really requir us to be focusing on teamwork and share the ideas/opinion etc.…my family background and experiences also affect my learning preference. As I have 3 siblings so which means my parents always asked me to learn from my siblings by watching what they did or how they worked something.From the other side, I also agree what I need to improve according to the VARK results which is read/write. As I am not really interested in reading newspaper or journal. It’s a big challenge if I still want to study in the coming future as we know that all of the students need to read a lot of different journal to support the assignment. However, it’s more convenience now as we can find videos which is the same topic with the journal I need to read and it’s more interesting.1.3 The Honey and Mumford Learning Styles QuestionnaireHoney and Mumford claimed that the four stages in the cycle are mutually supportive and that none can be fully effective by themselves in a learning process. The preference for one of the learning styles results in the following (Honey and Mumford, 1992)[pic 1]1.3.1 Implications for learningActivistReflectorTheoristPragmatist20202020Very strongpreference19181919171618151718141318161712171516Strong preference161115141510141314Moderate9131213871211126111011Low preference51091049893878Very low preference767656254443331222111The test results indicate that my strongest preference on the Reflector. According to Honey and Mumford, Reflectors like to stand back to ponder experiences and observe them from many different perspectives. I am also agreeing on that as my personality is a good listener, I would like to listen what other said first before I give any opinion on the topic and I can gain some ideas from other people ‘perspective.