One of the key elements that can make a student, at any level, successful is to be aware of your unique learning style. We each view the world and take in information through our own perspective and unique set of lens. A presentation approach, learning activity or a teaching method that speaks to you may not speak to someone else, in a similar way that music and art speak to people differently. Discovering your best method for learning is a critical factor in your academic success.
In her book, The Way They Learn, Cynthia Tobias talks about a model of learning styles based on a person’s perception (the way we take in information) and ordering (the way we use the information we perceive). People perceive information either concretely or abstractly. A person with concrete perception views information in the here and now, with no hidden meaning or relationship between ideas. If one perceives information abstractly, he/she tends to visualize or conceive ideas, looking beyond the surface of ideas for more subtle implications.
Concrete Sequential (CS)
Abstract Sequential (AS)
Abstract Random (AR)
Concrete Random
The following chart indicates the characteristics for each learning style combination:
For more information, check out Ms. Tobias’ book – The Way They Learn!