Learning Style Assessments & Tools

The Four Learning Styles

Learning is the process of gaining knowledge by means of study, experience, or instruction. It can happen in different ways. It can be formal, informal, active, passive, experiential, or subliminal. Your preference for a particular learning method and how you process new knowledge are related to your personal learning style.

Having knowledge of a preferred learning style puts people in a better position to select learning experiences that suit their style. There are four key learning styles to understand:

• Activist. Activists are people who are active and learn by doing. They have an open-minded approach to learning and involve themselves fully in new experiences. They like to brainstorm and problem solve.
• Theorist. Theorists try to understand the theory behind someone’s actions. They like models, analytics, and facts when engaging in the learning process. They use logic and apply theories.
• Pragmatist. Pragmatists require seeing how learning in practice fits into the real world. They like to experiment and try new techniques to see if they work.
• Reflector. Reflectors learn by observing and reflecting. They prefer to observe and view experiences from a number of different perspectives, then make a conclusion.

If you know what kind of learner you are, it will make it easier to absorb information and know how you can best approach a learning situation. The learning style tools available at HRDQ can help leaders and individuals identify learning styles to maximize training efficiency.