I was curious about the results of the different learning styles test. Most of the time I do enjoy these "self-discovery" tests. It actually feels like going to the fortune teller and telling you what you will be in the future or what's going on with you now.
I don't mean this in a negative way for learning theories, of course fortune tellers base their predictions on perhaps how you look or say things. Maybe, they will even give you a very broad and general answer that most of the time applies to 90% of the population.
Now on these tests, they are most of the time general, but they have specific targets for categorizing your learning style. It's not a prediction, but it's based on how you answer the questions. Like in any qualitative researches and theories, it's not easy to really quantify the exact number to be able to categorize a person.
What I'm trying to say, perhaps, is best summarized by Clark, D. in Learning Styles & Preferences:
"So the traits these assessments measure cannot determine which traits are consistent, and even if the trait is quite consistent, it has no real impact in how we will react when dealing with a given situation. When you add in the large test measurement error rate, the instability of traits due to aging, then it simply becomes very difficult, if not downright impossible to crate a valid assessment for learning styles."
Most of the readings about learning styles, theories and models will most of the time boil down to the same conclusion.
However, I think it is still best to try to understand and put structure in trying to know more about the human mind and personality. We may not understand the whole thing, it may be inconsistent, it may change, however, awareness is the key to unlock more answers, and even more questions.
By the way, the results of some of my tests are below. Quite interesting, and made me think and reflect on myself as a learner.
Learning Styles Test Results (based on Honey and Mumford's Model)
Doing - 6
Watching - 3
Thinking - 4
Feeling - 5
If you prefer Doing and Feeling then you are in the organizing category:
- Good at adapting to changing circumstances and solves problems in an intuitive, trial-and-error manner, such as discovery learning.
- Tends to be at ease with people.
- Prefers the challenges of new experiences, involvement with others, assimilation, and role-playing.
- Likes anything new, problem solving, and small group discussions.
Seven Perceptual Test Results
Scores - Subject 1 Learning Activities:
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Visual: 24 - Strong Acceptance Viewing movies, slides, demonstrations
Kinesthetic: 20 - Strong Acceptance Gross motor movement like in athletics
Print: 4 - Minimum Acceptance Reading
Interactive: -1 - Mininum Rejection Talking with others, Asking questions
Haptic: -4 - Mininum Rejection Touching, holding, or other fine motor activities
Aural: -7 - Mininum Rejection Listening
Olfactory: -35 - Very Strong Rejection Smelling or tasting
References:
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/styles/perspective.html
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/styles/learn_style_survey.html (based on Honey and Mumford's Model)
http://www.learningstyles.org/ (Perceptual Styles)
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