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| I have difficulty knowing how to study (B1, B3, B5-7). Learning Style Inventory (LSI) research (Kolb, 1984) has identified four dominant dynamic learning approaches: diverging, assimilating, converging and accommodating. 1. Diverging style: CE and RO are dominant. The style is divergent because people with these learning abilities perform better in situations that call for the generation of ideas, such as in brainstorming sessions. However, as regards studying, this particular style creates considerable tensions, because the person will find it more difficult to concentrate on concrete texts and learn them for an exam. These people often adopt an undirected learning style (Vermunt, 1998), which relates to their general ambivalence to engaging in advanced scientific studies. In studies people with the diverging style prefer to work in groups, listening with an open mind and receiving personalized feedback. Studying for an exam probably requires external coaching. 2. Assimilating style: AC and RO are dominant. People with these capabilities are good at understanding a large variety of information, which they can put into concise logical form. This type of people is more interested in ideas than in practical value. For study situations, they prefer reading, lectures and exploring analytical models. Their learning style is often ‘meaning-directed’ (Vermunt, 1998). This makes them often rather critical as regards multiple-choice exams which do not do justice to the complexities of the literature. Studying for an exam is best organized individually. 3. Converging style: AC and AT are dominant. People with these abilities are best at finding practical uses for ideas and theories. They are solution oriented and aimed at answering questions of others. A converging learning style is often found with people that prefer technical tasks and problems rather than social and interpersonal issues and therefore can be often found in natural sciences and the medical studies. This type of person is inclined to prefer a reproduction-directed learning style, which makes them the perfect candidate for big exams, but also for experimentation situations which require – often under controlled conditions – testing new ideas, simulations, laboratory assignments and practical application. Studying for an exam, can best be organized in a laboratory-like setting. 4. Accomodating style: CE and AT are dominant. People with these learning style learn easiest from ‘hands-on’ experience. The enjoy carrying out plans, act on ‘gut’ feelings and rely on people for their information rather on their own analysis. As a learning style, this type adopts an application-directed approach to studying. The accommodating style is particularly equipped for action-oriented careers such as marketing or sales. In study, people with the accommodating learning style prefer to work with other to get assignments done. Studying for an exam is best therefore best organized in a study group. In summary, Table B6, lists the most important characteristics of each learning style and gives you an advice how best to approach an exam, if you have one of these learning styles.
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