The Learning Cycle of David Kolb - 4 Learning Styles in the Learning Process
David Kolb is an American learning psychologist and educator. He is best known for Kolb's learning cycle. In it, he defines four learning styles: thinkers, dreamers, doers, and decision-makers. Everyone has one or more preferred styles, each with their strengths and pitfalls. However, Kolb emphasizes the importance of the cycle. He believes that regardless of preference, all styles must be developed to make the learning process more effective.
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The Kolb Learning Cycle
The Kolb learning cycle defines four learning styles along two different axes. On one hand, there is active versus reflective learning. On the other, there are concrete experiences versus abstract concepts.
An active learning style is more focused on practice and taking action. These preferred styles learn the most from their own experiences or trial and error. They actively seek out new information. In contrast, reflective learning is more about observing and providing feedback.
Next, there are profiles that lean towards concrete experiences, such as doers and dreamers. They need to immerse themselves in scenarios that relate to their reality. In contrast, abstract learning profiles gain more from imagining and visualizing possible scenarios. Thinkers do this primarily through theoretical frameworks and models, while decision-makers seek practical applications, such as a step-by-step plan.
In reality, you are usually a mix of different learning styles. David Kolb emphasized the importance of practicing all four learning styles. To fully understand something, you must go through all four learning styles, hence "the Kolb learning cycle."
By developing yourself in the different ways of thinking, you make the learning cycle more effective. This allows you to better correlate theory and practice and further develop or refine the strengths and pitfalls of the different learning styles. This way, you might draw connections that you wouldn't see if you only applied one learning style.
Finally, other factors come into play, such as your interest in a particular subject, background, and situation.
The Four Learning Styles of Kolb
Everyone learns differently. In fact, we all have an individual way of learning. Some are production-oriented and learn the most from practical experiences. Others are meaning-oriented and seek meaning in the material they learn. The motivations and drives also differ.
According to Kolb, every learning cycle begins with experiences. Kolb's learning styles can also be compared to the four phases in which we learn:
- Experiencing – To understand something, we must first experience it. That's why schools teach math with pie pieces, or use Jan and Leen as examples in class.
- Reflecting – We can then observe a similar situation and relate it to our own experience.
- Conceptualizing – Next, we define this abstract concept. For example, "fractions" in math or "syllables" in language.
- Applying - Finally, you can apply the learned concepts to your own reality.
He linked these four phases to different learning styles and developed a test to identify your personal preferred style. Below are the strengths, pitfalls, and preferences for each learning style.
Learning Style 1 – Doer
Doers are practically oriented and learn the most from active experiences. This learning style is purposeful and wants to try new things to understand them. This profile adapts quickly in new contexts and learns the most from on-the-job training or trial and error. It is often also the first step in Kolb's learning cycle.
Sometimes doers are too focused on action, which can make them seem impatient. Their drive is contagious but works best with clear direction.
Learning Style 2 – Dreamer
Dreamers use their imagination to view situations from different perspectives. For example, understanding a situation by thinking about possible causes and explanations. They have a great capacity for empathy and try to relate it to their own experiences and/or knowledge.
Dreamers often see many possibilities and/or obstacles. This can make decision-making take longer.
Learning Style 3 – Thinker
Thinkers learn the most from observation and internal reflection. These profiles can view situations and problems from different perspectives and then reach a rational conclusion. They learn best from structured learning materials such as manuals, lectures, etc.
Thinkers love intellectual challenges and make connections between new and existing knowledge. They are good at developing theoretical models and theories.
Learning Style 4 – Decision-Maker
Finally, there are decision-makers who complete Kolb's learning cycle. This learning style seeks connections between theory and practice. They are focused on the application of practical ideas. From an abstract thinking style, decision-makers can transform general theories into specific solutions, such as schemas, checklists, step-by-step plans, etc.
Decision-makers learn best by looking at practical examples and drawing lessons from them. For example, how can I repeat the same steps to achieve the desired result?
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