Sensing learners like to solve problems using well-established methods rather than thinking up unusual solutions. They enjoy hands-on activities and experiments and are practical and careful about their work.
Sensing/reflective learners like to know that the information they are receiving has a connection to the real world. They aren’t overly interested in abstract theories and ideas.
They need limits and controls to do their best work. A sensing/reflective child will often ask for very specific directions to complete work or assignments. They can be encouraged to set their own limits rather than always relying on others to set those limits for them.
Skills:
- thinking through their work before acting on it
- setting goals that they’d like to reach
- excellent at mastering details and memorizing facts
- good at writing about themselves and their thoughts and feelings
- awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses
A sensing/reflective learner is always reflecting on their own lives – what have they done, what are they doing, and what will they do in the future? This kind of child will greatly enjoy keeping a journal and recording their observations about themselves and the world around them.
Students who are not sensing/reflective as their primary learning style can benefit from beginning their own journals and being more reflective about their skills, achievements, and progress. This can and should be done without much input from a parent or teacher; the idea is to encourage self-knowledge rather than to reflect someone else’s ideas.
This is my last post on types of learning styles – next time, I will wrap everything up and give some overall ideas and guidelines for using this information!