Kolb believed that a learning experience was a cycle with four phases. He also found that people preferred different phases of the cycle. As a result, he found four learning preference types:

• Diverger
• Assimilator
• Converger
• Accommodator

No matter what phases of the learning cycle you prefer, it's important to build strengths in the other phases in order to be a well-rounded and effective learner.

Does the diverger reflect your preferences? Divergers prefer having a concrete experience and reflecting on They're imaginative and interested in people and emotions.question asking and observing skills in our Learning Skills section.

Learning strategies:

• Ask "why" questions to get the answers you need.
• Look for situations where you can brainstorm with others.
• Seek specific cases rather than theoretical ones.
• Find laboratory and field work learning experiences.
• Rely on your interest in observing to make judgements.
• Relate what you're learning to your experiences/interests.
• Go to lectures since this is a good way for you to learn, particularly if you also have an auditory learning style.
• Take time to reflect on what you've learned-consider keeping a log or writing a journal.
• Consider building your ability to see the "big picture" and experiment with what you've learned.

You might also be interested in exploring:

• interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences in the Multiple Intelligence section
• artisan temperament in the Kiersey Type section, and
• the reflective learning preference in the Felder's Style section.

Does the assimilator reflect your preferences? Assimilators prefer reflecting on an experience and thinking about the experience in an abstract, theoretical way. They like to create theoretical models and tend to be less interested in people and practical applications of knowledge. question asking and observing skills in our Learning Skills section.

Learning strategies:

• Ask "what" questions to get the answers you need.
• Go to lectures since this is a good way for you to learn, particularly if you also have an auditory learning style.
• Avoid unstructured learning situations which you'll find frustrating.
  
• Organize what you're learning in ways that are logical to you.
  
• Rely on your interest in observing to make judgements.
• Take time to reflect on what you've learned-consider keeping a log or writing a journal.
• Consider building your interpersonal skills and finding practical applications of what you've learned.

You might also be interested in exploring:

• logical/mathematical and naturalist intelligences in the Multiple Intelligence section
• rational temperament in the Kiersey Type section, and
• the reflective and global learning preference in the Felder's Style section.

Does the converger reflect your preferences? Convergers prefer thinking about the experience in an abstract, theoretical way and experimenting with the idea/action. Convergers are practical and tend to be unemotional and prefer to deal with things rather than people.question asking skills in our Learning Skills section.

Learning strategies:

• Ask "how" questions to get the answers you need.
• Seek out learning tasks that are practical and well defined.
• Use case studies as a way of learning.
• Do hands-one projects if you also have a tactile learning style.
• Look for active learning situations such as projects and discussions rather than lectures.
• Use trial-and-error experimentation in an environment where you know that, if you make a mistake or fail, you can do so safely.
• Consider taking more time to reflect on what you've learned in a personal way.

You might also be interested in exploring:

• logical/mathematical and naturalist intelligences in the Multiple Intelligence section
• rational temperament in the Kiersey Type section, and
• the active and global learning preferences in the Felder's Style section.

Does the accommodator reflect your preferences? Accommodators prefer having a concrete experience and experimenting with the idea/action based on that experience. They're good at adapting to new experiences and tend to be intuitive at solving problems.question asking and listening skills in our Learning Skills section.

Learning strategies:

• Ask "what if" questions to get the answers you need.
  
• Seek out new situations.
  
• Use case studies and experiments as a way of learning.
  
• Make sure you get to work on real-life, rather than theoretical, problems.
  
• Engage in activities such as projects and small-group discussions.
  
• Look for feedback and discussion with other learners/classmates.
  
• If you're in a learning situation where you must listen to lectures, build your listening/note-taking skills.
• Consider taking to time to reflect on what you've learned and put it into the "big picture."
  

You might also be interested in exploring:

• logical/mathematical and naturalist intelligences in the Multiple Intelligence section
• idealist and rational temperaments in the Kiersey Type section, and
• the active and intuitive learning preferences in the Felder's Style section.