Paragon Learning Style Inventory (PLSI) Paragon Educational Consulting www.calstatela.edu/plsi Paragon Learning Style Inventory (PLSI) Making Sense of Your Learning Style & Student Exercises #1 and #2 Value of Different Learning Styles to a Group Learning Style and Different Approaches to a Task Copyright 2009 – Paragon Educational Consulting

What is Learning Style? Our “Learning Style” is how we think, relate and learn. Each of us has a unique style. However, there are some common ways in which people tend to vary. The PLSI is one tool to help you learn about your own learning style.

The Four Dimensions of Learning Style Your Learning Style Score will have four letters; for example, ENTP, ISFJ, or ESFP. There are 16 possible combinations. The letters come from your preference on each of four dimensions. E = Extrovert I = Introvert S = Sensate (Practical) N = Intuitive (Abstract) T = Thinker (Logical) F = Feeler (Relational) J = Judger (Sequential) P = Perceiver (Random)

Like Being Left or Right Handed Being on one side of each of the four dimensions or the other is much like being either left or right handed. We typically do not choose to be one or the other. We just feel a natural tendency to use one hand as our dominant hand to write, eat and throw. Some of our personal traits are visible, such as our eye color, but our learning style traits are invisible to others until we take action.

Putting each of the four dimensions together When we put our preferences for each of the four dimensions together they make style combinations. ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ ISTP ISFP INFP INTP ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP ESTJ ENTJ

Combination #1 – Academic Style When the first dimension (E/I) is combined with the second (N/S) the result is a 2 letter combination that relates to how we learn and experience school. E = Extroversion I = Introversion S = Sensate/ Practical ESs Action oriented realists ( ≈ 36%)   This type loves action and things happening. They like to get practical results from their work, and like to work in groups. For them too much watching is a waste of time, they want to do. They like to share what they are doing and thinking. They get impatient when things are too slow, complicated, or abstract. ISs Thoughtful realists ( ≈ 36%) This type is the most careful and steady. They don't mind working alone or with one other. They like practical results and are good with details, and technical things. They are often the least expressive; they see much but usually share little. They don't like careless ideas, plans, or too many new things at once. N = Intuitive/ Abstract ENs Action oriented innovators ( ≈ 16%) This type is really motivated and likes to make things happen. They like to work in groups on new and interesting things. They like to take their theories and apply them with others. They share easily, especially what's inside. They don't like details, routines, or the same old thing for too long. INs Thoughtful innovators ( ≈ 12%) This type is the best at solving problems. They like to work at their own pace on their own ideas. They like to make creative and scientific things. They would rather express themselves through their thoughts, instead of socializing with lots of others. They don't like doing busy work or things that don't make sense.

Putting it all together - 16 Styles ISTJ Male 15% Female 7% Overall 10% ISFJ Male 8% Female 16% Overall 12% INFJ Male 2% Female 2% Overall 2% INTJ Male 3% Female 1% ISTP Male 9% Female 3% Overall 6% ISFP Male 7% Female 10% Overall 9% INFP Male 4% Female 5% Overall 4% INTP Overall 3% ESTP Male 6% Overall 5% ESFP ENFP Overall 8% ENTP ESTJ Male 11% Female 6% ESFJ Female 17% ENFJ Female 4% ENTJ

Verifying your Style Score When you read the four letter combination, it should sound very familiar. You should feel that it describes your tendencies very well. If it does not, you will want to go back to the descriptions of the four dimensions and reassess your style results.

Question and Answer Q – Are there better learning styles to have? A – No. All 16 styles are essential and just as capable of success and happiness. Q – Do learning styles change over time? A – Styles tend to be pretty stable over a lifetime. But our scores may change as we better understand ourselves and the idea of learning style. Q – Does my learning style limit me? A – Not at all. In fact, knowing your inner preferences should help you better know yourself and understand how you can best reach your potential.

Exercises

Exercise #1 The purpose of the exercise is to explore the benefits of each learning style. In this exercise you will want to work in groups of three or four, and brainstorm ideas as a group. For each of the four dimensions generate a list of reasons why each of the two possible preferences is valuable and necessary to achieve positive group outcome. You are encouraged to reflect on your own experience and knowledge of your style.

Part A: Extroverts and Introverts Consider the following question: Why would it be helpful to have those (such as Es or Extroverts) who tend to like to do/act and get involved right away and then reflect later, and those (such as Is or Introverts) who tend to like to watch and reflect, and then do when they think they have the idea? List as many ideas as you can in five minutes.

Part B: INtuitives and Sensates Consider the following question: Why would it be helpful to have those (such as Ns or Intuitives/Abstract-minded students) who tend to like to think in terms of possibilities and what “can be,” and those (such as Ss or Sensates/Practical-minded students) who tend to rely on their experience and think in terms of “what is?” List as many ideas as you can in five minutes.

Part C: Thinkers and Feelers Consider the following question: Why would it be useful to have those (such as Ts or Thinkers) who tend to prefer to process things with logic and a cool head, and those (such as Fs or Feelers) who tend to process things more with their hearts and consider the feelings of others as a priority? List as many ideas as you can in five minutes. Note: Thinkers are not more intelligent, and Feelers do not have more feelings.

Part D: Judgers and Perceivers Consider the following question: Why would it be good to have those (such as Ps or the more random-thinking Perceivers) who tend to approach tasks with an open-ended and "out of the box" mentality, and those (such as Js or Judgers) who tend to approach things more sequentially and methodically? List as many ideas as you can in five minutes. Note: Judgers are not more judgmental and Perceivers are not more perceptive.

Exercise #1 Reflections After taking part in the exercise, what conclusions can you draw? What would you guess the result would be if everyone in a group had the same learning style? Does it help to have group members with different learning styles? If so, why?

Exercise #2 – Different Styles Approaching Similar Tasks Depending on our Learning Style, we will often type combinations would approach and carry out similar tasks in different ways. In this exercise, the members of each group will assess how different style ach a task such as making a meal (or alternately creating an art or craft project).

Four Style Combinations For this exercise, you will need to become familiar with the following style combinations- SJ, SP, NJ, NP. The following chart may be useful. N = Intuitive/ Abstract S = Sensate/Practical J = Judger Sequential NJ = Intuitive/Judger Likes to organize the “big picture.” Prefers to think ahead, but is open making changes. SJ = Sensate/Judger Likes to plan ahead in detail. Prefers to stick to the plan. P = Perceiver Random NP = Intuitive/Perceiver Likes to go with the flow. May make a plan, but prefers to be creative and do what makes sense given the situation. SP = Sensate/Perceiver May make a plan if the task is new, but prefers to jump in and try different things. Likes to find practical solutions.

Making Predictions In your group, discuss how you think each of the four learning style combinations (SJ, SP, NJ, NP) would approach the task of making a meal (or alternately an art project) How would each type tend to think about planning? How would they tend to carry out their plan? Notice that we use the phrase “tend to” when we talk about learning styles. Everyone is unique and will do things for a variety of reasons, but our learning styles are one significant way we are influenced to act.

Group Exercise To help you make your predictions, it may be helpful to consult your four dimension table and/or the combination table below. Prepare to report your findings to the whole class in 15 minutes. N = Intuitive/ Abstract S = Sensate/ Practical J = Judger Sequential NJ = Intuitive/Judger Likes to organize the “big picture.” Prefers to think ahead, but is open making changes. SJ = Sensate/Judger Likes to plan ahead in detail. Prefers to stick to the plan. P = Perceiver Random NP = Intuitive/Perceiver Likes to go with the flow. May make a plan, but prefers to be creative and do what makes sense given the situation. SP = Sensate/Perceiver May make a plan if the task is new, but prefers to jump in and try different things. Likes to find practical solutions.

Exercise #2 Reflection What conclusions did you draw from this exercise? What does it imply that our learning styles make us somewhat “predictable?” What can we do about it? Do other learning styles have something to teach us?