Artical 07 - Learning Cycles
Learning Cycle
Theories
Theories
of the learning cycle describe the dynamic process by which people
acquire knowledge, skills, and subject-matter understanding through
many stages. They stress the value of engaging in novel experiences,
reflecting on them, developing concepts, and applying learning in
real-world settings. Different scholars put out several theories to
adequately explain the learning process.
01 - Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle:
Proposed by
David Kolb, this is one of the most well-known learning cycle models.
It consists of four stages:
1 - Concrete Experience: Having a
specific experience or encountering a situation.
2 - Reflective Observation:
Reflecting on the experience and observing what happened.
3 - Abstract Conceptualization:
Creating concepts or theories based on reflections.
4 - Active Experimentation: Testing
theories by applying them in new situations.
The Experiential Learning Cycle (Kolb’s Learning Cycle)
Kolb maintains that “Learning is the process
whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience” (Kolb,
1984, p. 38). In the sense he published a four-stage cycle of a learning style
which is considered as a learner’s internal cognitive process (McLeod,2017).
Armstrong, M. (2006) .Kolb's model describes how experience is translated into concepts, guiding the choice of new experiences. Effective learning requires individuals to shift from observers to participants, focusing on objective analytical detachment. Trainers must adapt their approaches to trainees' learning styles, acknowledging their preferences and recognizing their unique learning styles.
According to Armstrong, (2006) Kolb
also defined the following learning styles of trainees:
- Accommodates who learn by trial and error, combining the concrete experience and experimentation stages of the cycle.
- Divergers who prefer concrete to abstract learning situations, and reflection to active involvement. Such individuals have great imaginative ability, and can view a complete situation from different viewpoints.
- Convergers who prefer to experiment with ideas, considering them for their practical usefulness. Their main concern is whether the theory works in action, thus combining the abstract and experimental dimensions.
- Assimilators who like to create their own theoretical models and assimilate a number of disparate observations into an overall integrated explanation. Thus they veer towards the reflective and abstract dimensions.
The cycle is ongoing, allowing students to begin with fresh,
tangible experiences and build on prior understandings. Depending on
the individual, some may prefer active experimentation and real
experiences while others may choose introspection and abstract
concepts.
Kolb's Learning Cycle places a strong emphasis on action and reflection during the learning process, encouraging active participation, insightful reflection, and linkages to prior knowledge. This concept is frequently applied to corporate growth and educational contexts.
02 - Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles:
Another popular framework for
classifying learners according to their preferred methods of approaching and participating in learning events is the Honey and
Mumford Learning Styles model. This model, which was created by Peter
Honey and Alan Mumford, is very similar to Kolb's Learning Cycle but
offers a more straightforward method of classifying learning
preferences.
According
to Armstrong, (2006) analysis
of learning styles was made by Honey and Mumford (1996). They identified
four styles:
- Activists who involve themselves fully without bias in new experiences and revel in new challenges.
- Reflectors who stand back and observe new experiences from different angles.They collect data, reflect on it and then come to a conclusion.
- Theorists who adapt and apply their observations in the form of logical theories.They tend to be perfectionists.
- Pragmatists who are keen to try out new ideas, approaches and concepts to see if they work.
Source - https://expertprogrammanagement.com/2020/10/honey-and-mumford
Denis G, (2023) The Honey and Mumford learning styles are plotted around two axes, as can be seen in the diagram. The processing continuum, which is shown by the horizontal axis, describes how we approach a task, i.e., whether we prefer to learn by doing or by watching. Our emotional reaction to the task, or how we think and feel about it, is represented by the vertical axis, which is known as the perception continuum.
The Honey and Mumford model places a strong emphasis on the value of adaptability in learning strategies and the understanding that successful learning frequently entails a blend of learning styles. This paradigm is frequently applied in educational settings to customize learning experiences and instruction to individual preferences, allowing teachers to create assignments and resources that reflect these interests.
All of these theories on the learning cycle emphasize how learning is iterative and stress the value of participation, reflection, and application. Teachers frequently modify these models to meet the requirements of their students and the subject matter being taught because different theories could connect more with different people or learning settings.
Insurance firms are able to continuously innovate, adjust to shifting market conditions, and improve client experiences thanks to learning cycles, a dynamic and ongoing process. Insurance firms may take well-informed decisions and foster sustainable growth by utilizing data and insights.
References
Armstrong, M. (2006) A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. 10th ed. London, Kogan Page Ltd.
Denis, G (2023) Honey and Mumford learning styles. Honey-and-Mumford [Online]. Available at https://expertprogrammanagement.com/2020/10/honey-and-mumford. Accessed on 15th August 2023].
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (Vol. 1). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Kolb, D. A & Kolb, A. Y (2013) The Kolb learning style inventory 4.0: guide to theory, psychometrics, research & applications. Kaunakakai. Experience Based Learning Systems.
McLeod, S. A. (2017). Kolb - learning styles and Experiential Learning Style, Simply Phychology, [Online]. Available at https://www.simplypsychology.org/. Accessed on 15th August 2023].
Good article to read, Kolb's emphasizes transformation through experience, accommodating different learning styles. Honey and Mumford's classifies learners based on their approaches: activists, reflectors, theorists, and pragmatists. (Kolb, D. A. 1976). Both theories underscore participation, reflection, and application in education, adaptable to diverse students and subjects.
ReplyDeleteThank you, you've given a clear summary of two important learning theories, the learning styles theory by Honey and Mumford and Kolb's experiential learning theory.Teachers may make their classrooms more inclusive and productive by incorporating these theories into their lesson plans, which will allow them to better meet the different needs and preferences of their students.
DeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post on learning cycle theories. You did a great job of explaining the different models in a clear and concise way, and you provided some helpful examples.
ReplyDeleteI think the Kolb Learning Cycle is a particularly useful model for understanding how people learn. It makes sense that learning is an iterative process that involves both experience and reflection. The four stages of the cycle provide a framework for understanding how people learn and how to create effective learning experiences.
For example, if you are teaching a new skill, you might start by giving learners a concrete experience of the skill. This could involve hands-on practice or watching a demonstration. Then, you would encourage learners to reflect on their experience and identify what they learned. This could involve asking questions, journaling, or discussing the experience with others. Finally, you would help learners apply what they learned by giving them opportunities to practice the skill in new situations.
Of course, what you've said fits with Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory, which proposes a cycle of learning through active experimentation, reflection, and tangible experience.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, You've provided a comprehensive overview of two prominent learning cycle theories: Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle and Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles. Both of these theories emphasize the dynamic process of acquiring knowledge and skills through various stages.
ReplyDeleteKolb & Baylon (2019) states that Kolb's model emphasizes that learning is a transformation of experience and that effective learning requires individuals to shift from observers to participants. Learning styles identified by Kolb include Accommodators, Divergers, Convergers, and Assimilators. The cycle is ongoing and encourages learners to build on prior understandings.
well-explained explanation of Kolb's experiential learning cycle and Honey and Mumford's learning cycles. Indeed, all of these theories on the learning cycle emphasise how learning is iterative and stress the value of participation, reflection, and application. Further, both frameworks contribute significantly to education and professional development by promoting active engagement, self-awareness, critical thinking, and adaptability. By emphasising experiential learning, reflection, and the consideration of different learning styles, these models create enriched learning experiences that enable individuals to acquire and apply knowledge more effectively in a wide range of contexts.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Further individuals can improve their capacity for problem-solving, get a better knowledge of topics, and adjust to new situations better by using this cyclical approach to learning.
DeleteThanks for your informative article Wasantha! Agreed! The experience learning cycle is the experience Learning Theory's (ELT) most well-known and applied concept (Kolb 2015; Kolb and Kolb 2017). The four stage cycle of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and action is widely used because it is straightforward and practical. Honey and Mumford theory provides further evidence in support of the same.
ReplyDeleteAccording Kolb( 2015) Kolb and Kolb (2017)Experiential learning cycle is a widely recognized concept in theory.
ReplyDeleteKolb's Experiential Learning Cycle emphasizes active participation, reflection, and application in the learning process. It consists of four stages: Concrete Experience, Reflective Observation, Abstract Conceptualization, and Active Experimentation. The Honey and Mumford Learning Styles model classifies learners into four learning styles: Activists, Reflectors, Theorists, and Pragmatists. These styles help learners learn through active participation, reflection, analysis, and application of new ideas and concepts.
Your blog succinctly encapsulates the essence of the learning cycle. It serves as a valuable reminder of the iterative process of gaining knowledge, applying it, reflecting, and growing. Understanding this cycle is fundamental for anyone on a journey of continuous learning and self-improvement. Thank you for shedding light on this timeless concept.
ReplyDeleteInformative blog and the way you've explained the concept of learning cycles, from the stages of acquisition to application, resonates well with the Kolb's experiential learning theory. The inclusion of references, such as Kolb's work (reference 1), lends credibility to your explanations. Your overview captures the essence of this theory succinctly, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in the dynamics of learning styles.
ReplyDeleteVery informative article on learning cycles. You have clearly explained Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle and Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles.
ReplyDeleteKolb's learning model, a four-stage cycle, focuses on the internal cognitive process of learners, emphasizing active participation and objective analytical detachment. It identifies learning styles like Accommodates, Divergers, Convergers, and Assimilators, highlighting diversity and preferences. The cyclical nature promotes active engagement, deepening understanding, and retention, making it applicable in corporate growth and educational contexts.
ReplyDeleteYour article provides a comprehensive overview of various learning cycle theories, shedding light on the dynamic process of acquiring knowledge and skills. The detailed explanation of Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle underscores the significance of translating experience into concepts and theories, promoting active experimentation and reflection. The incorporation of Honey and Mumford's Learning Styles model adds depth to the discussion, emphasizing the diversity of learning preferences and the importance of adaptability.
ReplyDeleteYour article effectively highlights how these theories contribute to a deeper understanding of the learning process, encouraging educators to tailor their approaches to individual students' preferences and subject matter. The application of these theories in educational contexts for personalized learning experiences is particularly noteworthy.
The connection you draw between learning cycles and the insurance industry's ability to innovate, adapt, and make informed decisions is insightful. The continuous learning process is indeed a driving force behind sustainable growth and improved client experiences. Your article serves as a valuable resource for grasping the intricacies of learning cycle theories and their practical implications.
Learning cycle theories provide valuable frameworks for understanding how individuals absorb and apply knowledge over time.
ReplyDeleteTheories, of Kolb's Experiential Learning Cycle and Gibbs Reflective Cycle, emphasize the process of learning through experience, reflection, and action.
By recognizing the nature of learning, educators and trainers can design more effective learning experiences.
We explore how continuous learning not only sharpens skill sets but also molds individuals into capable leaders. From workshops that foster strategic thinking to mentorship programs that nurture emotional intelligence, there's an array of avenues through which leadership traits can be cultivated.
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