How the CD-ROM and Web Can Help Your Learning Style

Global vs. Sequential Learners

Global learners tend to learn in large jumps, absorbing material almost randomly without seeing connections, and then suddenly 'getting it.' *

• Use the summary lecture notes to get an overview of each chapter on the CD and see the big picture
• Review real world examples and pictures on the CD
• Look at concepts outlined in the Interactive Computer Modules (ICMs)

Sequential learners tend to gain understanding in linear steps, with each step following logically from the previous one.

• Use the 'Derive' hot buttons to go through derivations in lecture-notes on the web
• Follow all derivations in the ICMs step-by-step
• Do all self-tests, audios and examples as you progress through the CD-ROM lecture notes step-by-step

Active vs. Reflective Learners

Active learners like to learn by doing or trying things out in order to understand them.

• Use all the hot buttons to interact with the material so that you're always doing something
• Use self-tests as a good source of practice problems
• Use living example problems to change settings/parameters and see the result
• Review for exams using the ICMs

Reflective learners like to learn by reflecting, trying to understand things before experimenting with them.

• Consider the answer to the self-tests before looking at them
• Use living learning problems to think about topics independently

Sensing vs. Intuitive Learners

Sensing learners are concrete, practical, and methodical, and are more comfortable with real-world applications than with theories and mathematical models

• Use web-modules (cobra, hippo, nanoparticles) to see how material is applied to real world topics
• Relate how living example problems are linked to real world topics

Intuitive learners are imaginative and quick, enjoy working with ideas and concepts, and are easily bored by memorization and repetitive calculations.

• Vary parameters in supplied polymath problems and understand their influence on a problem
• Use the trial-and-error portions of some ICMs to understand ‘what if’ style questions

Visual vs. Verbal Learners

Visual learners prefer visual information (pictures, diagrams, plots, demonstrations, etc.) to verbal explanations.

• Study the 'Examples' and 'Self-tests' on the CD summary notes that have graphs and figures showing trends
• Do ICMs to see how each step of a derivation/problem leads to the next
• Use the graphical output from living example problems/polymath code to obtain a visual understanding of how various parameters affect a system
• Use the Professional Reference Shelf to view pictures of real reactors

Verbal learners prefer spoken and written explanations to visual presentations.

• Listen to audios on the web to hear information in another way
• Work with a partner to answer questions on the ICMs

References:

Italicized learning style definitions provided, with thanks, by Richard M. Felder, Ph.D.

Evaluation of IT Tools in the Classroom - Chris Lorenz and Sara Soderstrom (from the 2001 ASEE National Conference in the session "The latest in pedagogy in Chemical Engineering")

For more information on learning styles visit the Asynchronous Learning website.