FT Guide to Business Training

8

The role of learning styles

Learning styles encompass the various ways individuals approach their learning. Since the 1970s these learning styles have been researched by people including David A. Kolb (based on the experiential learning theory), Peter Honey and Alan Mumford (based on adapting the Kolb model), and Anthony Gregorc and Neil Fleming (the VARK model which links with neuro-linguistic programming). We now have a body of research and models that reflects the fact that all of us have different ‘learning styles’. Whichever models you consider, one thing is undoubtedly true: participants will come to your business training with a variety of experiences, preferences and approaches. In almost all training, you will have participants ...