David Kearns, former CEO of Xerox Corporation defines the term "uneducated" as "not knowing how to keep learning." 

We live in a world of rapid change - is some fields, important information and concepts are being redefined every few years. In a "high-tech" society, information we learned a few years ago, or even a few months ago, can become outdated!

This means that today's collegians need to understand their learning styles - in many ways, this self-understanding will be the key to success in school and after graduation.  By "self-understanding," we mean recognizing possible strengths and possible tendencies or habits that might lead to difficulty in school or other situations.

It is wrong to assume that "learning styles" reflect what a student will perform in different types of classes or careers. It is misleading to label people this way.

Likewise, learning style preference does provide an excuse for bad grades or test performance.  The idea is to have enough of a self-understanding that we can study efficiently and seek help when appropriate so that we can get the most out of school and life-long learning. 

Let's look at some learning styles and what they mean to college students. Keep in mind that our purpose is not to "label" people nor tell them what they can or cannot do. The types of learners presented here are not absolute - no one is exclusively one type of learner, to the same degree, all the time, in every situation. 

Everybody has a variety of learning styles that change over time, from situation to situation, and to varying degrees. 

Active And Reflective Learners

Active learners tend to learn best when they are actually engaged in doing something, for example, discussing or applying, or explaining to others. 
Reflective learners tend to quietly think about things first.

An active learner might say, "Let's try it out and see how it works; " while a reflective learners might say, "Let's think it through first." 

Active learners may prefer to work in groups. Reflective learners may prefer to work along. College "lectures," where a student is expected to sit and take notes for the entire class period might be challenging for both active and reflective learners - especially the active learners. 

Like all learning styles, this is not an "all or nothing" affair. We can have aspects of both active and reflective learning. In fact, a balance between the two is probably the most useful.

Strategies for Active Learners

Strategies for Reflective Learners

Sensing And Intuitive Learners

Sensing learners are comfortable with learning facts and figures. Intuitive learners may prefer thinking about possibilities and relationships between information rather than the facts and figures themselves. 

Sensors tend to solve problems by applying established methods and may get frustrated from complications and surprises; intuitors prefer to be creative, like innovation, and may get frustrated with repetition. Sensors are more likely than intuitors to resent being tested on material that has not been explicitly covered in class. 

Sensors are often detail-oriented, and excel in memorizing facts and doing things "hands-on." Intuitors excel at picking-up new concepts and are often comfortable with mathematical formulas and other abstractions. Sensors tend to be careful and practical.

Intuitors tend to work fast and innovate.  Sensors like to see course content as it relates to the "real-world." Intuitors are less comfortable with "drill and practice" work, routine procedures, and memorization. These are not exclusive learning styles - our preferences can vary. Neither approach is "better." Striking the best balance we can between the two can be advantageous.

Strategies for Sensing Learners

Strategies for Intuitive Learners

Visual And Verbal Learners

Visual learners remember what they see or can imagine, such as:  pictures, diagrams, flow charts, time lines, films, and demonstrations. Verbal learners work best with words, written and spoken explanations. We all learn best when information is presented both visually and verbally. 

Some classes use little visual information except for what is presented in texts, written on chalkboards, or given in handouts. While it is understandable that we all have preferences, strengths, and weaknesses; working on visual and verbal learning skills is important for success in school and in many careers. 

Strategies for Visual Learners

Sequential And Global Learners

Sequential learners may developing better understandings by using linear steps, each step leads to the next step in a logical sequence. Global learners may prefer to jump around ideas, developing an understanding of different ideas without the "connections," and then suddenly "getting it." 

While sequential learners may follow logical, stepwise paths when learning or problem-solving; global learners may solve complex problems quickly or put things together in unique ways once they understand the "big picture." Sequential learners are likely to be able to explain the steps they used when solving a problem, global learners may have difficulty explaining the process they used to solve a problem. 

We all know what it is like to have that "flash of inspiration" where we see an answer or solution. All learners experience this. The difference between sequential and global learners is not whether or not we suddenly "get-it." They difference is based on how we understand the concepts. 

Sequential learners, if they understand the steps or process, may be able to answer questions or solve problems without fully understanding them - they are able to apply and practice the process. Global learners may have difficulties until they understand the "big picture," even if they are given the sequence or steps of a process. 

Here is an excellent example of why we need to work on strengths and weaknesses. Few are exclusively sequential or global learners - being able to apply a process without understanding what it is doing can be a problem. Being able to work towards a broad understanding without being able to solve problems in a rational, logical manner can also be a problem. To more fully ensure success, we want to develop BOTH of these learning skills to the best of our ability.

Strategies for Sequential Learners

Strategies for Global Learners

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Learning:  A Four Step Model

Brief Learning Styles Preview test