302LON Unit 1
Learning Styles
ACTIVIST REFLECTOR THEORIST PRAGMATIST
A theory of learning proposed by Kolb suggests that there are four different learning types: activists, reflectors, theorists, and
pragmatists. These four approaches also suggest a learning cycle, which is actually quite logical. You start by doing something,
e.g., attend a lecture, you reflect or think about it, then you work out whether there are any underlying ideas that link this lecture to
other experiences, and finally you plan to put into practice what you have experienced and thought about. According to Kolb, each
of us tends to lean towards a preference for certain ways of learning. Here are the four:
(a) Activists
Activists work best when they can lead discussions, give presentations, and work in teams to solve problems or generate ideas.
They enjoy the challenge of being thrown in at the deep end and of being presented with new experiences, problems, and
opportunities.
(b) Reflectors
Reflectors learn best when they can watch, listen to, or stand back from situations and have the time to review and reflect on what
has happened. They are happy to carry out painstaking and detailed research and work to produce carefully considered analyses
and reports. They are quite comfortable exchanging ideas with other people in a structured and organised way, but they like to be
left to take decisions on their own, without pressure.
(c) Theorists
Theorists learn best when they can learn in a structured way and relate activities to systems, models, concepts, and theories. They
like to analyse and generalise about the reasons for successes and failures. They enjoy exploring the interrelationships between
Source: Cameron, S., (2009), The Business Student’s Handbook: Skills for Study and
Employment, 5th Edition, Harlow: Financial Times Press
ideas, events, and situations. If they listen to or read about ideas and concepts, they are happiest if the information is rational,
logical, and well argued.
(d) Pragmatists
Pragmatists learn best when they can concentrate on practical issues and when there is an obvious link between subject matter
and a problem or opportunity. They enjoy being shown techniques for doing things that have obvious advantages like saving time
or making a good impression. They like being able to put their learning into practice at the first possible opportunity. They enjoy
trying things out if they can get coaching, guidance, or feedback from a credible expert.
Think about yourself:
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Which Learning Style reflects best how you learn?
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Answer:_________________________________
Learning styles in action
If you wonder whether knowing your preferred learning style is useful, it may well be. Not that your university will review its entire
teaching strategy to suit you, but self-knowledge can be very helpful. The four learning styles equate to stages in a learning cycle.
Think about a seminar.
The Active you asks: When was it? Where was it? What did I do?
The Reflective you asks: What did I notice? What conclusions did I draw? How did I feel?
The Theoretical you asks: What did it all mean? Can I provide explanations to what happened?
Source: Cameron, S., (2009), The Business Student’s Handbook: Skills for Study and
Employment, 5th Edition, Harlow: Financial Times Press
The Pragmatic you asks: How can I apply what I learned?
Source: Cameron, S., (2009), The Business Student’s Handbook: Skills for Study and
Employment, 5th Edition, Harlow: Financial Times Press
So what?
There are some advantages and disadvantages to each learning style, and greater self-knowledge helps you develop your
approaches to learning.
Learning type
Strengths
Weakness
Activist
Flexible and open minded, happy to have a go, happy
to be exposed to new situations, optimistic about new
situations, and unlikely to resist change.
A bit like a bull at a gate, tends to take
immediate action without considering the
consequences, a bit too keen to take risks.
Reflector
Careful, thorough, and methodical, good at listening to
others and assimilating information, and rarely jumps
to conclusions.
A bit inclined to hold back from getting
involved, slow to make up their minds
and take decisions, rather too
cautious, and not good at “small talk”.
Theorist
Logical, rational, and objective thinkers, good at asking Not so good at lateral thinking and a low
probing questions, and taking a disciplined approach
tolerance for uncertainty or intuition. Very keen
to tasks.
on “should”, “ought”, and “must”.
Pragmatist
Practical, down-to-earth, and realistic, keen to test
things out, gets straight to the point, and comes up
with practical solutions.
Impatient and inclined to seize on the first
solution to a problem, very disinterested in
underlying principles.
Source: Cameron, S., (2009), The Business Student’s Handbook: Skills for Study and
Employment, 5th Edition, Harlow: Financial Times Press