This is an experimental group/control group inquiry into the use of the Kolb Learning Style Inventory as a learning tool as well as a diagnostic tool. The idea is to assess whether it is possible to alter the perception of learners on the divergence of learning styles through an appropriate conditioning process so as to improve learning. One group was conditioned through tying the nature and objective of classroom learning exercises to the four-stage learning cycle of Kolb as a way of using the Kolb Learning Style Inventory experience as a strategy to improve learning; the other was not. Postexercise testing revealed results contrary to expectations. Furthermore, implications for teaching and learning are discussed.
Bacon, D.R. ( 2004). An examination of two learning style measures and their association with business learning. Journal of Education for Business, 79, 205-208.
2.
Baldwin, L., & Sabry, K. ( 2003). Learning styles for interactive learning systems. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 40, 325-340.
Cassidy, S. ( 2004). Learning styles: An overview of theories, models, and measures. Educational Psychology, 24, 419-444.
5.
Clark, R.D., III, & Word, L.E. ( 1972). Why don’t bystanders help? Because of ambiguity . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 24, 392-400.
6.
Coffield, F., Moseley, D., Hall, E., & Ecclestone, K. (2004). Should we be using learning styles: What research has to say to practice. London, England: The Learning and Skills Research Centre, Learning and Skills Development Agency.
7.
Collini, S. ( 1976). Hobhouse, Bosanquet and the State: Philosophical idealism and political argument in England 1880-1918. Past and Present , 72(8), 86-111.
8.
Curry, L. ( 1991). Patterns of learning styles across selected medical specialties . Educational Psychology, 11, 247-278.
9.
Desmedt, E., & Valcke, M. ( 2004). Mapping the learning styles "jungle": An overview of the literature based on citation analysis. Educational Psychology , 24, 445-464.
10.
Genovese, J.E.C. ( 2004). The index of learning styles: An investigation of its reliability and concurrent validity with the preference test. Individual Differences Research, 2, 169-174.
11.
Grace, M. ( 2001). Learning styles. British Dental Journal , 191, 125-128.
12.
Haney, C., Banks, W.C., & Zimbardo, P.G. (1973a). Interpersonal dynamics in a simulated prison. International Journal of Criminology and Penology, 1, 69-97.
13.
Haney, C., Banks, W.C., & Zimbardo, P.G. (1973b). Study of prisoners and guards in a simulated prison. Naval Research Reviews, 9, 1-17.
14.
Holton, E.F. ( 1996). The flawed four-level evaluation model, 2nd edition. Human Resource Development Quarterly , 7(1), 5-29.
15.
Jones, C., Reichard, C., & Mokhtari, K. ( 2003). Are students’ learning styles discipline specific?Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 27, 363-375.
16.
Kanfer, R., & Ackerman, P.L. (1989). Motivation and cognitive abilities: An integrative/aptitude treatment interaction approach to skill acquisition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 74, 657-690.
Kolb, D.A., & Wolfe, D.M. ( 1981). Lifelong learning and adult development project: Final report. Cleveland, OH: Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University.
21.
Laight, W.D. ( 2004). Attitudes to concept maps as a teaching/ learning activity in undergraduate health professional education: Influence of preferred learning style. Medical Teacher, 26, 229-233.
22.
Latane, B., & Darley, J. ( 1970). The unresponsive bystander: Why doesn’t he help?New York, NY: Appleton-Century-Crofts .
23.
Latane, B., & Rodin, J.1969. A lady in distress: Inhibiting effects of friends and strangers on bystander intervention. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 5, 189-202.
24.
Loo, R. ( 2004). Kolb’s learning styles and learning preferences: Is there a linkage? Educational Psychology, 24, 99-108.
25.
Lovelace, M.K. ( 2005). Meta-analysis of experimental research based on the Dunn and Dunn model. Journal of Educational Research, 98, 176-183.
26.
Milgram, S. ( 1974). Obedience to authority: An experimental view. New York, NY: Harper & Row.
27.
Newcomb, T.M., Turner, R.H., & Converse, P.E. (1965). Social psychology: The study of human interaction. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart, & Winston.
28.
Pedrosa de Jesus, H., Almeida, P., & Watts, M. ( 2004). Questioning styles and students’ learning: Four case studies. Educational Psychology, 24, 531-548.
29.
Ree, M.J., & Earles, J.A. ( 1991). Predicting training success: Not much more than g. Personnel Psychology, 44, 321-332.
30.
Reese, A.C. ( 1998). Implications of results from cognitive science research for medical education. Medical Education Online, 3(1). Retrieved from http://med-ed-online.net/index.php/meo/article/viewFile/4295/4486
31.
Reicher, S., & Haslam, S.A. ( 2006). Rethinking the psychology of tyranny: The BBC Prison Study. British Journal of Social Psychology, 45, 1-40.
32.
Rosenfeld, M., & Rosenfeld, S. ( 2004). Developing teacher sensitivity to individual learning differences. Educational Psychology, 24, 466-486.
33.
Sims, R.R. ( 1983). Kolb’s experiential learning theory: A framework for assessing person-job interaction. Academy of Management Review, 8, 501-508.
34.
Sonnenwald, D.H., & Li, B. ( 2003). Scientific collaboratories in higher education: Exploring learning style preferences and perceptions of technology. British Journal of Educational Technology, 34, 419-431.
35.
Swailes, S., & Senior, B. ( 2001). The learning styles questionnaire: Closing comments? International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 9, 215-216.
