A learning style is defined as the different ways we apply when learning, that is, the cognitive, affective, and physiological characteristics that we use to respond to a learning situation. Generally, all people tend to use different styles; there is no pure style but one usually predominates.
According to educational theorist David Kolb, learning styles come from genetics, experiences, and environmental demands. Each person’s own learning style is made up of particular strategies and characteristics.
While all skiers learn with a mixture of the following learning styles, each one tends toward a dominant learning type:
- Doers have a tendency to experience the motor approach ourselves through trial and error (concrete experience) rather than listening to explanations on how to perform it. Being practical and functional, we are easily bored by technical commentary. They prefer to move constantly rather than stand still and wait. We have a tendency to impatience by being the first to try out the new proposal.
- Observers tend to learn through contemplation, i.e., assimilate better when observing (reflective observation). Explanations are not effective for us unless they can create images as they provide us with an essential indicator. They rely on observation of others and the instructor/trainer to determine their own visual references.
- Thinkers need a clear, concise, descriptive explanation of what is to be done because they require to understand the reason for the execution (abstract conceptualization). In this way they understand the technical concept before executing it. They are analytical, theoretical, logical, and prefers reading to listening and reflecting before and after an execution.
- Feelers learn through sensory experiences, that is, they depend on bodily sensitivity to connect between what they do and what they understand (active experience). They quickly assimilate sensations suggested by the ski pro. They use sensory feedback because this is how they build the “how” should feel the movements. They are intuitive: they try until finding the way to execute the movements correctly.
Kolb separates learning into two aspects:
- Perceptual learners observe the situation and collect information. Feelers and thinkers belong to this group.
- Procedural learners process the information to be learned and these are observers and doers.
Sensory Modes of Learning
Three sensory modes are used in learning to ski: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic.
Although we tend to learn through sight, the auditory channel is considered a secondary means of assimilating concepts and sounds produced by motion. The auditory is oriented to the assimilation of concepts and the focusing of different sounds through the ears.
While the kinesthetic learning style is relatively slow in relation to auditory and visual learning, it has the advantage of being a pervasive learning style that is difficult to forget due to motor retention or muscle memory.
