Key influences on the personal learning processes of individuals Essay Example

learning as they can prevent attendance and make it difficult to concentrate due to pain and discomfort. Additionally, disabilities can pose challenges in terms of traveling, accessing buildings, and moving within the learning environment depending on the level of disabled access available.

Honey and Mumford developed a learning style theory in order to identify how individuals learn more effectively in different ways. They established four categories: activist, reflector, theorist, and pragmatist. Activists prefer being actively engaged and participating, enjoying having control over situations and exploring new ideas. They tend to consider and strategize before taking action, but can quickly lose interest in their activities. Activists thrive when collaborating with others and assuming leadership within a group.

Their less preferred learning situations include doing tasks alone, listening instead of visually learning, and taking the lead in a group. Reflectors prefer observing tasks from a distance, considering multiple perspectives, and gathering all information before making decisions. They learn best through observation and listening, and they prefer to work alone. Their less preferred learning situations are speaking aloud and performing in front of others.

Feeling rushed and pressured does not benefit theorists. They prefer collaborating with others and enjoy brainstorming various ideas and approaches to improve something. They tend to think logically and meticulously, are often highly organized, and adhere to a study routine. They appreciate following rules and are not easily emotionally distraught for extended durations. The most effective way for them to learn is by engaging with diverse ideas and associating with people who possess open minds.

Pragmatists prefer learning situations that allow them to question information in order to gain a deeper understanding. They also appreciate a clear structure,

defined rules, and deadlines for completing tasks. On the other hand, they find it challenging when they cannot relate to their peers or when there is a lack of structure and purpose within their working group. Pragmatists value feedback from others, including study partners and teachers, as it helps them identify their strengths and areas for improvement.

Pragmatists enjoy experimenting and are driven to efficiently accomplish tasks. Their optimal learning method involves having a clear plan, being able to test various approaches. They readily learn from role models they admire. Less favorable learning situations include insufficient information or guidance on how to perform a task. Moreover, they find learning primarily focused on theory, without practical aspects, to be less desirable.

Honey and Mumford’s theory is valuable in the context of people development and learning in health and social care. It enables educators to understand that individuals learn differently, which can be incorporated into teaching methods. On the other hand, Gibbs' reflective cycle is a widely used model in reflection, considering emotions and various learning styles. The cycle consists of six parts: Description, involving the factual account of what occurred; Feelings, encompassing thoughts and emotions at the time; Evaluation, where one assesses the positive and negative aspects of the experience; Analysis, determining the significance or lessons learned; Conclusion, contemplating alternative actions or improvements; and Action plan, outlining a strategy for future similar situations and changes in practice based on reflection.The utilization of Gibbs reflective cycle in learning and development facilitates a systematic breakdown of the learning process into sequential stages. This approach enables individuals to examine their acquired knowledge more profoundly and comprehensively. By completing each stage, individuals

can enhance their understanding of what they have learned and identify potential areas for improvement.

Kolb's learning cycle focuses on how adults learn. He referred to the way adults learn as their cognitive abilities. He stated that individuals start developing a natural preference for processing information during adolescence and early childhood, which they continue to use throughout their lives as a means of learning. Kolb identified two pairs of opposing factors that come together to form a cycle consisting of four stages that enhance adult learning. The initial stage of the cycle involves concrete experience, which entails taking action or engaging in practical activities.

The second part of the cycle is reflective observation, also known as analysing. During this stage, the individual reviews and reflects on their actions and the outcomes of the concrete experience. In the next stage, known as abstract conceptualisation or sense making, the person uses the information they have acquired from the experience and their reflections to organize their thoughts and fully comprehend the experience. This process allows them to gain maximum information from the experience.

The active experimentation stage is the final stage in the cycle. It is the planning stage where the person considers what they will do differently next time. This allows them to approach different aspects in a new way based on what they have learned. Kolb's learning cycle is beneficial for individuals as it enables them to review and analyze what they have learned in great detail. This leads to further development and learning by providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the information.