Assignment 1 of 2011

For our first assignment we are asked to fill out a personality test to establish our own individual learning style. By using this test I determined wither I am an... ...Activist...

Here is a list of each personality style and a brief outline.

A activist...

Like to be involved in new experiences and are enthusiastic about new ideas. They enjoy doing things and tend to act first and consider the implications afterwards. They are unlikely to prepare for the learning experience or review their learning afterwards.

Activists learn best when:

• involved in new experiences
• problems and opportunities
• working with others in team tasks or role-playing
• being thrown in the deep end with a difficult task
• chairing meetings, leading discussions

Activists learn less when:

• listening to lectures or long explanations
• reading, writing or thinking on their own
• absorbing and understanding data
• following precise instruction to the letter

A reflector...

Reflectors like to view the situation from different perspectives. They like to collect data, review and think carefully before coming to any conclusions. They enjoy observing others and will listen to their views before offering their own.

Reflectors learn best when:

• observing individuals or groups at work
• reviewing what has happened and thinking about what they have learned
• producing analyses and reports doing tasks without tight deadlines

Reflectors learn less when:

• acting as leader or role-playing in front of others
• doing things with no time to prepare
• being thrown in at the deep end
• being rushed or worried by deadlines

A theorist...

Theorists like to adapt and integrate observations into complex and logically sound theories. They think problems through step- by-step. They tend to be perfectionists who like to fit things into a rational scheme.

Theorists learn best when:

• put in complex situations where they have to use their skills and knowledge
• they are in structured situations with clear purpose
• they are offered interesting ideas or concepts even though they are not immediately relevant
• they have the chance to question and probe ideas

Theorists learn less when:

• they have to participate in situations which emphasis emotion and feelings
• the activity is unstructured or briefing is poor
• they have to do things without knowing the principles or concepts involved
• they feel they're out of tune with the other participants, for example people with different learning styles

Or a Pragmatist...

Pragmatists are eager to try things out. They like concepts that can be applied to their job. They tend to be impatient with lengthy discussions and are practical and down to earth.

Pragmatists learn best when:

• there is a link between the topic and job
• they have the chance to try out techniques
• they are shown techniques with obvious advantages such as saving time
• they are shown a model they can copy

Pragmatists learn less when:

• there is no obvious or immediate benefit that they can recognize
• there is no practice or guidelines on how to do it
• there is no apparent benefit to the learning
• the event or learning is 'all theory'

I found some of the questions quite awkward to answer as relating them to my day-to-day life was difficult, I found most of the questions were not directed at students and especially not arts based students, however I answered them as best I could and here are my results.

Activist: Moderate
Reflector: Strong
Theorist: Low

Pragmatist: Low

I am definitely not a perfectionist theorist and unlike pragmatits I occasionally enjoy a lengthy discussion or two, I relate with activists by being enthusiastic about new ideas and experiences however I do not see myself as a natural leader and although I'm not a shy and retiring wall flower I do not like chairing meetings or leading discussions.

So that leaves me with reflector, and I agree with almost everything except the deadline bit. Regarding any kind of written work I always need a deadline to stir up enough motivation for me to get down and write whatever it is I need to write, without a looming deadline approaching fast I continually put the work off. This is probably because I dislike writing and much prefer any studio based work.

I am meeting with my design studies group this evening to discuss our results and to guess what we think each others learning style is! This might prove to be a bit of a challenge as I have only met them a few times but will be interesting to see what the results are!