Round three, I�m back again with another school of thought on Learning Styles with a Kung Fu kick. How do you approach a new task, action or observation? Do you jump into something or need to see a demonstration first, action or observation? How do you perceive something new, do you think about it first or do you feel it out, head or heart?

David Kolb formulated his Learning Styles theory back in the 80�s (hair bands, Mr. T and spandex). In 1984, Kolb defined learning as �the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience.� Kolb�s learning model has two layers, but here are the basics to help you be a lifelong learner. The focus is on experiential learning and how it affects the internal cognitive process. It�s broke down into two levels; a four stage learning cycle and four separate learning styles.

The four parts are concrete experience (feeling), reflective observation (watching), abstract conceptualization (thinking) and active experimentation (doing). �One axis defines how you process information and the other axis describes how you perceive things.

Now for the Kung Fu, it literally means to spend time and effort on learning new skills and craftsmanship to accumulate knowledge and abilities through practice. What in the world does this have to do with Learning Styles? Well, that definition sounds a lot like a lifelong learner to me! The goal is to understand what kind of Kung Fu master you are, how to strengthen your skills and wisdom and then how to apply it. Keep in mind when you learn, you go through the entire cycle of feeling, watching, thinking and doing. This theory helps explain what your preferences are and where you start on the cycle when you experience something new.

There aren�t any free, static links for the Kolb assessment but you can access the PDF I use in class HERE.

Print it out and follow the directions for the first yellow sheet, then take those numbers and plot them on the second yellow sheet. If you need some help, hit me up on twitter or email me at ddutka@pinnacleofindiana.com .� Chances are, you will recognize your learning style just by reading about it.� I�ll be presenting a Learning Styles workshop soon, let me know if you are interested!

Accommodating Kung Fu master- Implementer, feel and do, hands-on experience, acts on intuition instead of logic, rely on others for information, action oriented and wants results, quick adapter, prefers group collaboration, focus on the �if�.

Converging Kung Fu master- Optimizer, think and do, experiment with new ideas, practical ideas/theories, prefer technical tasks to social issues, likes to solve problems and evaluate processes, lots of concentration, focus the �how�.

Assimilating Kung Fu master- Conceptualizer, think and watch, learns by lectures, reading and exploring analytical models, logic over practicality, prefers abstract concepts and ideas instead of people, can summarize lots of information into concise, logical form, focus on the �what�.

Diverging Kung Fu master- Generator, feel and watch, learns well in groups and brainstorming sessions, wants personalized feedback, imaginative and concerned with feelings, open to experience, likes to observe and watch before taking action, can sense opportunities, focus on the �why�.

A Kung Fu master once said, �A martial artist practices the fundamentals since the first day of his/her training to the last day of life.� Remember learning is a lifelong process Kung Fu master.

The new iPhone 5 just came out. I have some die hard friends who probably waited in a line somewhere to get their hands on it. Here�s a Samsung parody to further the point.

So what does this have to do with learning? Learning styles have become an important aspect in the classroom and the workplace. Let�s use the new iPhone as an example. When you finally get the phone in your hands, do you read the instructions? Maybe you search for some quick tips on the internet? Do you ask the sales person what the new changes are? Or are you like me�just jump in and figure it out as you go? These are examples of different approaches to learning that we all take. Many of us use a combination of styles, but everyone has a predominant style that�s used the most.

There are a few different schools of thought on Learning Styles. This week I�ll highlight the basic three; visual, auditory and kinesthetic (VAK).

Visual learners: learn through seeing, take notes, sit up front, make eye contact and watch body language, orderly, prefer illustrations, diagrams, videos and handouts, picture the experience, and like to see what they are learning

• �Do you hear what I�m saying?�

Auditory learners: learn through listening, often read aloud, hum or talk to themselves or others when bored, prefer lectures and collaboration, want people to really listen to them and focus on the tone and speed of speech

• �Can you see what I�m saying?�

Kinesthetic learners: learn through moving and touching, active and like to take frequent breaks, use hands to gesture when speaking, hands-on activities and prefers to explore their space, communicate by touching like a pat on the back and often feels that the other 2 styles are insensitive

• �How do you feel about the situation?�

Now what? Your style guides your learning and how you internally perceive experiences. It also impacts the words you use and how you remember information. Understanding how you learn will help your professional and personal interactions. The key is to also realize how others learn. Maybe your customer needs to see your sales pitch, or how should you prepare for the next employee meeting to insure everyone is learning? Here�s the challenge, try to work with each style. It will increase your ability to remember because you are using different parts of the brain for each Learning Style. I�ll be back with the other styles, until then try to see, hear and feel what I�m saying!

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