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Pace | Ownership | Innateness | Simplicity | Exactness
Most learners like to learn in a sequential way, one piece of accumulated knowledge at a time. These learners like to build a ‘big picture’ based on the details. Other learners take a more global view, starting with often very fuzzy, big abstract ideas, and then they find the knowledge needed to fill in the gaps. Have a listen to what these students think. Do you agree?
(Video transcripts can be downloaded here as a PDF)
My tutorial group is arguing about the presentation we have to do next week.
In some subjects, it seems as though there are very definite right and wrong answers. But in some subjects, there are no definite answers, only opinions and conjecture. It is natural that many students want to find the answer their tutor appears to have, but often there is no such answer, and students can become confused about what is expected of them. Group work can make this even more complex and challenging. The task needs to be made very clear and the scope for disagreement outlined at the outset.
I am finding the complexity of the methods and rules we learn really difficult. Are you?
Some students like to see the big picture before exploring the details. Others like to build a picture from details. Each student and each teacher will have a personal preference. Some people like to explore complexity and develop a sense of broad, simple concepts. Others like to do it the other way around.
I am finding this class really hard. I like to learn one thing at a time!
Learning about things sequentially is how most of us prefer to learn. We learn one fact and then build on that knowledge with more facts. But not everybody learns the same way. Some people like to have lots of facts and then find connections between them. Your learning approach will dictate what you find ‘suits you’ in different classes.
