November 27, 2013

The theory of the learning cycle works on four phases. They are concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract hypothesis and active testing. The learning cycle involves these four stages but also includes four different types of learning styles. These styles could include things such as experience, reflection, developing hypotheses, and trying it out. All stages at any time can be affected by feelings and emotions. When our emotional response is triggered our brains decode these signals as important. The part of the learning cycle that I believe focuses the most on the emotional aspects is reflective observation. Reflective observation is a learning process that involves making sense of the information that you already have stowed away in your brain. This process allows a person to develop an observation from their own experiences and emotions by remembering information and reflecting on previous involvements. Emotions can either assist a learner in moving through the learning cycle or they can inhibit them. It all depends on the type of emotion being experienced and how that emotion makes you feel. Does it make you feel anxious, confused, depressed, irritated or angry? These different emotional labels will be the determining factor of how we as learners move thought the learning cycle. Each phase of the learning cycle comes with natural instincts. We are all born to be natural learners ready to explore new knowledge. All learners develop and gain new knowledge in their own particular way. If we believe learning is important then we will become more engaged in the learning experience becoming open to new knowledge. According to James E Zull’s examples of different types of learners, I feel that I am the type of learner that enjoys taking in the facts of new knowledge. I don’t believe that I am anxious about observation reflection or