4mat
In class today we talked about the 4mat learning theory, developed by Bernice McCarthy. It is a theory that organizes different learning styles to describe a whole range of the learning and communication experience. It is important and relevant to what we are doing with our client, because we have to think about how different learning styles can affect how people learn and process information, especially on an online medium. Below are the descriptions for each type.
- Type 1 wants to know WHY The imaginative type likes being absorbed into feelings and spending time reflecting, seeking personal meaning and involvement. Type 1 is focused on personal values for them selves and others and making connections. Favorite question: Why?
- Type 2 wants to know WHAT The analytic type likes listening to and thinking about information, seeking facts, thinking through ideas, formulating ideas — and learning what the experts think. Favorite question: What?
- Type 3 wants to know HOW The common sense type likes thinking and doing. Type 3 are most happy experimenting, building and creating usability. They like tinkering and applying useful ideas. Favorite question: How?
- Type 4 wants to find out WHAT IF The dynamic type likes doing and feeling. They are constantly seeking hidden possibilities and exploring ideas to create original adaptations, they learn by trial and error and self-discovery. Favorite question: What if?
After we finished discussing the scales and what they mean, we were able to take the 4Mat test for ourselves to see where we personally fit on the scale. As a class we mapped out our numbers. It was interesting to see that most of the class fell into the What If? and What? region.
After we mapped out our own styles, we were able to apply the learning styles to a specific prompt. My group’s prompt was teaching people how to travel abroad alone. First brainstormed the information people would need to fill the knowledge gap, like, knowledge about safety, understanding cultural norms, and general logistics. Then we went through all of the 4mat types and tried to create and answer the questions specific to each type, based on the information we were trying to teach. Doing provided a robust way of teaching something. I think there is a tendency to teach or present information in a way that is similar to the way you like to learn, but since people may learn and value things differently, it is important to have a framework that makes you think of different ways of learning.
References
McCarthy, B. (1981, 1987). The 4MAT System: Teaching to Learning Styles with Right/Left Mode Techniques. Barrington, Ill.: Excel, Inc.
