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professional development
Choose Training Options to Match Your Learning Style
By Stephen Thompson, Moldflow Corporation
It is well accepted that within any group of students there exists a variety of preferred learning styles. For example, you have probably noticed that when you try to learn something new that you may prefer to learn by listening to someone talk to you about the topic. Or you may prefer to read about a topic to learn it while others need to see a demonstration or get hands-on experience. Learning styles group common ways in which people learn and everyone has a mix of styles. Simply put, a learning style is a preference for the method by which you learn and remember.
As developers of an extensive range of training materials, Moldflow is aware of these multiple preferred learning styles and has designed materials to account for this. This approach is one that some trainers and instructional designers have only recently started to implement. By recognizing and understanding your own learning style, you can select training delivery techniques better suited to you while attending classes. This improves the speed and quality of your learning experience.
Which Style Is Right for You?
Visual. If you like the visual style, you prefer using images, books, colors and maps to organize information and communicate with others. You can easily visualize objects, plans and outcomes. You also have a good spatial sense, which gives you a good sense of direction. To aid visual learners, Moldflow offers both classroom and Web-based courses. Aural. If you prefer the aural or auditory style, you like to work with sound and music. You typically learn best when instruction is delivered by an instructor, audio or in a traditional classroom lecture setting. The Moldflow Lunchtime Luminaries seminars are very popular with aural learners. Verbal. The verbal style combines both the written and spoken word. If you are comfortable with this style, you find it easy to express yourself, both in writing and speaking. You love reading and writing. You learn best in classroom settings or working in groups. The Simulation Fundamentals five-day course is structured with a combination of lecture and group lab work so the verbal learners feel comfortable. Physical. With the physical style, you use your body and sense of touch to learn about your surroundings. You like to think through issues, concepts and problems while you exercise. You learn best in a hands-on environment using models and exercises. Logical. The logical style is best for those who use the brain for logical and mathematical reasoning. You can recognize patterns easily, as well as connections between seemingly meaningless content. This also helps you to classify and group information to help you learn, understand and recall it. Social. If you have a strong social style, you communicate well with people verbally and non-verbally. You listen well and understand others’ viewpoints. You typically prefer learning in groups or classes, or you like to spend one-on-one time with an instructor. All of Moldflow’s Advanced Simulation (MPI/Flow, MPI/Cool, MPI/Warp) courses are designed with the social learner in mind. We encourage group activities and sharing of issues and solutions. Solitary. If you have a solitary style, you are more private, introspective and independent. You can concentrate well, focusing your thoughts and feelings on your current topic of study. You do best with self study or non-group training. For these learners, we offer self-paced courses which allow students to work at their own pace.
Your learning styles have more influence than you may realize. Your preferred styles guide the way you learn and change the way you internally represent experiences, the way you recall information and even the words you choose. Now that you have identified your learning style, it will be easier to choose an effective method of instruction for future training courses. With the availability of Web-based, computer-based, video and instructor-led training, you will find a Moldflow training option that best suits your learning style.
For more information about all of Moldflow's training options, visit www.moldflow.com or www.plasticszone.com.
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