Applying Learning Theories and Styles: Event Design Analysis

This essay provides a comparative analysis of different learning theories and styles, focusing on the models proposed by David Kolb and Honey and Mumford. Kolb's model outlines diverging, assimilating, converging, and accommodating learning styles, each characterized by distinct preferences and approaches to learning. Honey and Mumford's model identifies activists, reflectors, theorists, and pragmatists, detailing activities suited to each style. The essay also discusses the role of the learning curve in assessing training impact and the importance of transferring learning to the workplace. It concludes by examining how knowledge of these learning theories and styles contributes to the design and planning of effective learning events, using hypothetical scenarios involving individuals with different professional backgrounds to illustrate practical applications.

Learning theories and learning styles

Compare different learning styles
Leaning is connected with the concepts of behaviour, skills, knowledge, preferences and
values. Learning is acquiring such things and reinforcing or modifying the existing
knowledge. There are distinct learning theories. One well known author David Kolb has
given the following:
Diverging
Assimilating
Converging
Accommodating

Diverging learning style
People look things from distinct perspective;
Sensitive people use this style;
Individuals attempt to observe things;
Collect information;
Use imagination for problem solving.

Assimilating learning style
Concepts and ideas are more significant than people;
Individuals require clear explanation in spite of practical
opportunity;
People are less focused on human beings and more in ideas and
concepts;
People prefer lectures, readings and exploring analytical models.

Converging learning style
Technical skills are more preferred;
People are less concerned with interpersonal aspects and
people;
Individuals with converging style are best at determining
theories and ideas practical uses;
More attracted to technical problems and tasks than
interpersonal and social issues.

Accommodating learning style
People with this style relies on intuitions in spite of logics;
They are attracted toward novel experiences and
challenges and to perform on a decided plan;
They trust on others for information than perform their
own analysis.

Honey and Mumford learning style
According to Honey and Mumford, there are four types of learning
style, such as:
Activists;
Reflectors;
Theorist;
Pragmatist.

Activists
Activities
 Group discussion
 Brainstorming
 Puzzles
 Role-play
 Competitions
 Problem solving

Theorist
Activities
 Statistics
 Models
 Quotes
 Stories
 Applying theories
 Background

Pragmatist
Activities
 Problem solving
 Case studies
 Time to think about the way of applying learning
into reality
 Discussion

Reflector
Activities
 Personality questionnaires
 Paired discussions
 Self analysis questionnaires
 Coaching
 Interviews
 Feedback from others
 Observing activities

Role of learning curve
It is a graphical representation;
It represents the decrease or increase of learning in respect
of experience;
Helps in assessing the training or learning impact.