ACTIVE - REFLECTIVE DIMENSION

• Active Learners:
  • retain and understand information best by discussing it, applying it or explaining it to others
  • "let’s try it out and see how it works"
  • prefer group work
  • finds it difficult to sit in lectures just taking notes; requires interaction
• Reflective Learners:
  • retain and understand information best by thinking about it first
  • "let’s think it through first"
  • prefer working alone
  • needs thinking time during lectures

The chart below shows the distribution of the 1998/99 stage 1 students in the Active-Reflective dimension. It indicates that the majority of the class has a relatively balanced learning style in this dimension, with a slight bias towards Active learning. 

• Active Learners

  • in classes that allow little time for discussion or problem solving activities, compensate for these lacks when you study
  • study in a group, with members taking turns to explain different topics
  • work with others to "guess" what will be potential exam questions and figure out the answers
  • you will always retain information better if you find ways to do something with it
• Reflective Learners
  • in classes that allow little or no time for thinking about new information, compensate for this when studying
  • don’t just read or memorise the material. Stop periodically to review what you have read and to think of possible questions or applications
  • it might be helpful to write short summaries of readings or class notes in your own words
  • doing the above may take extra time but you will be able to retain material more effectively

TOP

NEXT