EMSE 3123
Math and Science in Education
Learning Styles
Presented by
Frank H. Osborne, Ph. D.
© 2015
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Introduction
• The process of teaching and learning
involves Learning Styles. Early work in
this area was done by Anthony Gregorc
in the 1980s. He recognized the following
learning styles.
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Concrete Sequential
Abstract Sequential
Abstract Random
Concrete Random
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Introduction
Additional work on these styles was done
by Kathleen Butler. More recently,
learning styles have been described by W.
Kirby and co-workers.
The basic learning styles are identified
using four colors. This usage is known as
the True Colors system.
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The True Colors System
In the True Colors system, there are four
personality types. These are represented
by colors and are directly related to
teaching and learning styles. See the
references for more details and
information.
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Gold Type--Traditional Gold
• The gold type corresponds to the
Concrete Sequential style.
– Respects authority, rules, policies and
procedures.
– Steady, faithful, dependable, prepared and
efficient.
– Remembers the traditions that work. Values
family.
– Work comes before play. Practical,
systematic, orderly.
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Gold Type--Traditional Gold
• The gold type corresponds to the
Concrete Sequential style.
– Identifies with groups. Strives for a sense of
security.
– Thorough, sensible, punctual, conventional,
proper.
– A right way to do everything. Stick-toitiveness.
– Evaluates actions as right or wrong.
– Stable, organized, punctual, helpful.
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Green Type--Visionary Green
• The green type corresponds to the
Abstract Sequential style.
– Looks forward and sees impact of actions
taken now.
– Explores all facets before deciding. Checks
for accuracy.
– Careful planner, systematic, enlivened by
work
– Status quo buster, designer of change,
inventive
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Green Type--Visionary Green
• The green type corresponds to the
Abstract Sequential style.
– Systematic, logical, theoretical, self-sufficient
– Often not in the mainstream, persistent,
thorough
– Intellectual, inquisitive, impartial,
improvement oriented
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Orange Type--Adventurous Orange
• The orange type corresponds to the
Abstract Random style.
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"Just do it!", action oriented
Quick-witted, charming, spontaneous
Playful, injects fun into work
Lives in the here and now, risk taker, creative
Enjoys diversity, variety, competition
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Orange Type--Adventurous Orange
• The orange type corresponds to the
Abstract Random style.
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Multi-tasker, cheerful, energetic, bold
Quick thinking and acting, takes charge
High visibility performer, accepts challenges
Enjoys problem solving, negotiator
Performs well under pressure, resilient
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Blue Type--Nurturer Blue
• The blue type corresponds roughly to the
Concrete Random style.
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Sensitive to the needs of others
Sincere, expresses appreciation
Cooperative, collaborative, creative
Caring, team builder and player
People person, engages others
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Blue Type--Nurturer Blue
• The blue type corresponds roughly to the
Concrete Random style.
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Artistic, inspirational, spiritual
Inclusive, mediator, peacemaker
Idealistic, intuitive, romantic, loyal
Seeks unity and harmony, caretaker
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True Colors and Teaching Styles
• Gold--your teaching style is Institution
Oriented
– Your classroom is organized with structured
routines.
– Dependable, consistent classroom management.
– Good students are the building blocks of the
future. You feel responsible for their education.
– Organize learning in step-by-step format.
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True Colors and Teaching Styles
• Green--your teaching style is Subject
Oriented
– You are most proficient when you are free to
develop the competence and intelligence of your
students.
– You create new procedures reflecting advances
in technology and culture.
– You enjoy giving students new insights and
knowledge gathered from your research.
– Use cause and effect approach to develop the
reasoning ability of students.
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True Colors and Teaching Styles
• Orange--your teaching style is Action
Oriented
– Give students information that is useful
immediately.
– See direct results by using hands-on methods as
opposed to theoretical methods.
– Classroom is dynamic and exciting by using an
unstructured, unpredictable approach.
– Direction is dramatic and spontaneous.
– Provide a variety of action experiences.
– Teaching style is dynamic and unplanned.
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True Colors and Teaching Styles
• Blue--your teaching style is Student
Oriented
– Nurturing and supporting the growth of your
students.
– Compassion for others makes it a joy to work
with students.
– Best teaching is when there is a rapport with
the students.
– Use imagination as a teaching tool.
– Students are involved in the learning process.
– Best using individualized instruction.
– Operate a democratic classroom.
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True Colors and Learning Styles
• Gold--their student learning style is
Structured
– Work best when course content is structured
and clearly defined.
– Foundations should be presented first before
the abstract ideas and concepts are introduced.
– Work best with rules and directions.
– Thrives on routine and orderliness--is punctual
and dependable.
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True Colors and Learning Styles
• Green--their student learning style is
Independent
– Work best independently when exposed to the
driving force or overall theory behind the
subject.
– New ideas and concepts arouse their curiosity
and they enjoy interpreting them before adding
them to accumulated knowledge.
– Logical, theoretical, curious.
– Learn best independently.
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True Colors and Learning Styles
• Orange--their student learning style is
Competitive
– Perform well in competition, especially when
there is a lot of action.
– They enjoy games, hands-on activities, fun and
excitement.
– Put learned information to immediate use.
– Best when applying skills learned in school to
the real world.
– Likes to be on stage--competitive.
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True Colors and Learning Styles
• Blue--their student learning style is
Interactive
– Work best in an open, interactive atmosphere.
– Thrive in a humanistic, people-oriented
environment.
– Want the teacher to value them as persons, and
respect their feelings.
– Verbal and good with languages, imaginative
and abstract.
– Social--work best in group settings.
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– Sensitive to rejection and conflict with teachers.
True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Gold Teacher
Gold Student: Student and teacher maintain great
rapport. Student appreciates the structure and
organization provided by the teacher. Gold
student responds well.
Green Student: Combination works only if Green
student is interested in the subject matter and is
given freedom to explore ideas. Unlike the Gold
teacher, the Green student is oblivious to rules
and needs to understand that the rules are
logical and necessary.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Gold Teacher
Orange Student: Gold teacher demands order and
appropriate behavior while Orange student
needs spontaneity, fun and quick action. Orange
student may react with rebellion or hostility
when placed in a Gold classroom atmosphere.
Blue Student: Blue student follows the rules of Gold
teacher as long as they are fair and there is
personal consideration. Blue student cooperates
when it is felt that Gold teacher cares for student
individuality.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Green Teacher
Gold Student: Green teacher may not always meet
the needs of Gold student. Independent thinking
of the teacher may not be appreciated by the
Gold student. Gold student may have difficulty
in grasping material unless it is presented in
concrete ways.
Green Student: Green student maintains great
rapport and cooperation with Green
teachers. Student appreciates the stimulating
and creative classroom environment.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Green Teacher
Orange Student: Green teacher's classroom has
atmosphere of independence and freedom of
thought. Permits Orange students to express
their needs and establish their own styles. Green
teacher can be perceived as too theoretical by
Orange student creating the impression that the
teacher is out of touch.
Blue Student: Blue student responds to Green
classroom atmosphere as long as it is personally
relevant and stimulating to a creative
imagination. Unlike the Green teacher, Blue
student values feelings and interpersonal
communication above ideas and concepts.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Orange Teacher
Gold Student: Possibly problematic. Gold student
prefers structure and organization while Orange
teacher prefers spontaneity and excitement in
the classroom. Gold student strives for
perfection and enjoys being validated for neat
and accurate work.
Green Student: Green student needs to be attracted
to the subject matter in order to respond well to
the classroom environment. Unlike Orange
teacher, Green student values ideas and concepts
above immediate action.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Orange Teacher
Orange Student: Orange student appreciates the
atmosphere and freedom of the Orange
classroom. Responds favorably to hands-on
approach to learning. Both work well together.
Blue Student: Combination works well if Orange
teacher allows Blue student to be creative and
show personal concern. Student may have
difficulty making quick decisions and could have
trouble completing tasks. Orange teacher's
direct mode of criticism may not be appreciated.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Blue Teacher
Gold Student: Gold student responds to Blue teacher
if a regular and predictable schedule is
maintained. Gold student will follow the rules
but may not exhibit the creativity the Blue
teacher is looking for.
Green Student: Green student responds well to the
Blue classroom atmosphere as long as subject
matter and curiosity are continually
reinforced. Unlike Blue teacher, Green student
is less concerned about the feelings of others and
will express opinions regardless of their effects
on others.
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True Colors: Teaching and Learning
The Blue Teacher
Orange Student: Blue teacher has empathy for needs
of the Orange student. Orange student may
require more hands-on activities, games, etc.
than are scheduled by the teacher.
Blue Student: Blue teacher and Blue student have a
great level of rapport. Blue student appreciates
fairness, sensitivity and personal concern
expressed by Blue teacher. Blue atmosphere of
creativity and social interaction is appreciated
by Blue student.
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References
• Gregorc, A. F. The Gregorc Style Delineator. (Columbia, CT: Gregorc
Associates, Inc., 1985).
• Butler, K. Connections: Learning Styles, Levels of Thinking and
Multiple Intelligences (Columbia, CT: The Learner's Dimension, 1993).
• Kirby, W., L. Kirby, L. Riggs and J. Helliweg. Using your True Colors
Knowledge.
(http://www.uwsp.edu/education/wkirby/pluralis/TrueColorsUse.htm).
• Winning-solutions.com. True Colors Personality Types.
(http://www.winningsolutions.com/Trainings/True_Colors/truceolor.html).
• Niskanen, J. True Colors and Teaching Styles.
(http://www.geocities.com/jeniskanen/), 2004.
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The End
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