If you were to google 'meteor', 'meteorite', and 'meteoroid' you would find that the differences between the three are very distinct and clearly explained. The differences between the words 'myth', 'mythical', and 'mythological', however, aren't particularly distinct and using them the right way seems to depend heavily upon context and popular usage. For example, if someone were to address the existence of Wakanda, the right word to use would be 'mythical'. It would also be a soulless word to use--because it confronts and denies the beautiful possibility of a secret African nation possessing space-age technology far beyond our imagination--but that's another discussion altogether. Wakanda is mythical, Zeus is mythological (while Percy Jackson is fictional)... and a surprising number of facts that infiltrate our understanding of the human brain are myths.
While “did you know we only use 10% of our brains?” is finally being shelved under Pseudoscience other myths still prevail and interfere with the collective evolution of our intellectual understanding. Amongst these myths are several Learning Styles theories. These are the theories that describe distinct channels through which people study best. The VAK (‘visual’ ‘auditory’ and ‘kinaesthetic’) theory was one of the earliest and is still the best known. According to the VAK theory1, people who identify with the visual learning style learn best when taught through diagrams, charts and other visual aids; people who identify with the auditory learning style learn best from lectures and audio-sources; and people who are kinaesthetic learn best through hands-on experience2.
This theory and its variants (like the VARK theory)3 are widely popular because people believe that identifying and adhering to their natural style will help them study more effectively and effortlessly—that it may even give them an edge over everybody else.
Articles and quizzes titled “what’s your learning style?” flood the internet. You can find them on social media and educational websites—they have even made it to print. But the concept of VAK learning styles, which was incorrectly derived from the work of psychologist Howard Gardner, has no valid research to back it up. In fact, researchers have found that there is no difference between students studying through the learning style they identify themselves with and learning through other styles.
Gardner (now a professor at Harvard) wrote a book in 1983 titled Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences which observed that human intelligence4 was a result of collaboration between multiple channels. The channels, he postulated, were linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, spatial, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist intelligence. His work took the educational world by storm but, as with any storm,
there was damage. In this case it wasn’t trees falling over or rivers overflowing—it was scientific research being distorted at the partly-informed hands of the non-academia.
It is disappointing knowing that there is no quick-fix solution to learning effortlessly. It would be nice if all we had to do is donate our textbooks to charity and listen to podcasts and audiobooks—or stop attending lectures and plunge into fieldwork. But learning, sadly, isn’t a magically instantaneous process. It’s an intentional one. The good news is that while you can’t make it effortless, you can make it enjoyable and easy by developing an effective learning strategy. And if you are looking for a well-researched and comprehensive learning strategy, David A. Kolb’s model might help you.
Note: Your OB curriculum will discuss Learning Styles in more depth. Since the ability to implement these principles can help you study more effectively right from day one, we’re introducing you to the subject briefly now.
Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle
According to American educational theorist David A. Kolb, “learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience".5 Kolb's model of experiential learning takes four factors into account: experience, perception, cognition, and behaviour.
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Adapted from: https://www.andrews.edu/sed/leadership_dept/leadership/leadership-program-handbook-2017-18.pdf |
The four stages identified in the cycle are:
1. Concrete Experience
In this stage, learning happens through active experience. This may be a new experience or reinterpretation of an existing experience. This is a stage J.K Rowling clearly favours since it is present in almost every Hogwarts lesson (with the number of casualties often being directly proportionate to the amount of fun that students have in class).
2. Reflective Observation
This stage is characterised by individuals consciously reflecting on what they have learned. Reflecting on a new experience may unveil inconsistencies between experience and understanding6, if any, giving you an opportunity to reconcile the differences. You do not have to sit cross-legged with your eyes closed and fingers knotted, like Dr Strange (or your yoga instructor), but it could help. Reflection tends to thrive in an environment sheltered from noise and stress.
3. Abstract Conceptualisation
During this stage, learners attempt to conceptualise what they have learned by creating a new idea or modifying an existing abstract concept7. This may involve modifying or replacing existing learning.
4. Active Experimentation
The fourth stage described in this cycle occurs when learners try to implement or test what they have learned. One would imagine that rocket scientists would require protective helmets and life insurance at this stage. The blessing of being a management student is that if you were to test what you have learned incorrectly, you are unlikely to incinerate half a city.
These stages are cyclic—each stage supports and flows into the next. While a learner may enter the cycle at any of the four, each stage must follow in succession. According to Kolb effective learning occurs only when all four stages are executed—meaning that none of the four stages are effective in isolation.
Kolb’s Learning Styles8
Kolb also identified four learning styles. A learner’s unique social environment, previous educational experiences and cognitive makeup influence the learning style preference of an individual. Additionally, there are two variables that effect this preference9:
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Processing continuum, which determines the way we approach a task. (See ‘x axis’ in the figure above)
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Perception continuum, which determines how we think and feel about the task. (See ‘y axis’ in the figure above)
Kolb believed that it is not possible to perform two variables on a single axis at the same time. We can either feel or think or we can do or watch. Other combinations are possible. Accordingly, there are four learning styles which describe conditions under which learners learn better (and correspond to each of the four learning stages). These styles are:
1. Assimilators (think and watch)
These learners prefer contemplating sound logical theories, ideas and abstract concepts. They excel at accumulating information and organizing it in a clear logical format. In formal learning situations, these people prefer to go through readings and lectures and spend time in thinking things through. This style is effective in information and science careers.
2. Convergers (think and do)
These learners absorb information best when given practical applications of concepts to solve problems and find solutions to practical issues. This style is effective for technical tasks where learners can experiment with new ideas, simulate and work with practical applications.
3. Accommodators (feel and do)
Accommodators are the learners who absorb information best when given hands-on experience. They depend on intuition and prefer an experiential approach to things. They are happy to rely on others for information while they act on their ‘gut instinct’. This learning style is prevalent among the general population.
4. Divergers (feel and watch)
Divergers are learners who learn better when given the opportunity to observe and collect information. They are good at looking at the situation from different perspectives. They perform well in brainstorming and idea generation sessions.
How Can You Apply This Yourself?
There is a good chance that you already pass through one or more of the four stages that Kolb listed out. But, according to his observations, all four are equally important. Just experiencing a situation without reflecting upon it—or conceptualising an idea without later implementing it—is not enough. Compare yourself and how you absorb information with the categories of Kolb. Do you need to train yourself to reflect on what you learn and experience? Is a lack of opportunity to gain hands-on experience holding you back?
Belief in learning styles is pervasive. However, when put to a test in experimental conditions the hypothesis does not hold10. Academic research does not support matching learning styles to individuals for better educational outcomes. Therefore, it is important to understand that a learner cannot be placed in a specific box of attributes and strengths to use predetermined learning methods. An individual learner exhibits preference for different learning styles based on context and times in their lives. The same person may need a different approach to learning in different situations. As mentioned before, the myths regarding ‘my learning style’ have originated from theory rather than research.
Learning is a lifelong process and developing an effective learning strategy will help you not just with this course, but with everything you do.
Additional references:
https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/LearningStylesMyth
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1 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01908
2https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/983/1/012138/pdf
5 https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/doctoralcollege/training/eresources/teaching/theories/kolb
6 http://cei.ust.hk/files/public/simplypsychology_kolb_learning_styles.pdf
8 http://cei.ust.hk/files/public/simplypsychology_kolb_learning_styles.pdf
9 https://carleton.ca/experientialeducation/what-is-experiential-education/kolbs-learning-styles/
10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=855Now8h5Rs