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In recent years, the contributions of Kolb to learning-styles has received wide attention.
Kolb has also developed a learning-style inventory which is being used extensively in research and also in practice. Kolb outlines four learning orientations or modes – Concrete Experience where feelings dominate (CE), Reflective Observation – where the dominant behaviour is watching (RO).
Abstract Conceptualization where the dominant behaviour is thinking (AC), and Active Experimentation, where the emphasis is on doing (AE). In addition, the test constructed by him also measures the dominance of Abstratctiveness over Concretization (AC-CE) and Action over Reflection (AE-RO). On the basis of the scores on the scale, a learning grid is arrived at.
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Broadly, learners are classified into four types:
(1) Accommodators,
(2) Converges,
(3) Divergers and
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(4) Assimilators.
The learners belonging to the four quadrants are classified on accommodation, convergence, divergence and assimilation.
Some of the characteristics of these four categories are given below:
(1) The Accommodators:
They learn from hands on experiences. They prefer to carry out plans and take pleasure in getting involved in new and challenging experience. They depend on ‘gut feelings’ rather than on analytical reasoning. They rely more on information and analysis (useful for those in marketing, sales or promotional activates).
(2) The Converges:
They enjoy finding practical use for ideas and principles they learn. They have the ability to find solutions to problems. They prefer to deal with tasks and problems rather than with issues of social significance. They are likely to be successful in specialised professions and technical careers.
(3) The Divergers:
They excel in viewing concrete situations from different perspectives. They prefer observing to activity. They enjoy experiences which lead to generation of ideas like discussions. They generally have broad cultural interests, are sensitive and imaginative. They can do well in careers in the fields of arts, entertainment and services.
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(4) The Assimilators:
They are best at getting a lot of information and putting it into concise form. They are more interested in abstract ideals and issues rather than people. While evaluating a theory they are more concerned about its “logical strength” than its utility. This orientation is useful for those in information disseminating careers.
There have been many other attempts to describe and classify learning-styles. This brief discussion has been included, to familiarize the reader with the concept of “learning-style”, the various factors influencing the learning-style, and also to indicate how understanding a person’s learning-style can help in bringing about a match between the learner on the one hand and fields of study and career choice on the other .
As observed, different fields of study and career choices, require different kinds of learning-orientations. Further, understanding a person’s learning-style also helps to identify one major factor, contributing to either very successful learning or at the other end, very unsuccessful learning.