General Learning Style (ISTP)

Students with this learning style learn best by analysing, doing and memorising, and are interested in the practical use to which they can put ideas.

They learn in a seemingly disorderly manner, acquiring facts and practical knowledge bit by bit. When interested in a subject, they devote their attention to it until they have understood it fully. Though not academic in the sense of seeking knowledge for its own sake, they quickly master subjects that are sufficiently technical or detailed, and often the more complex and demanding the subject, the greater they enjoy it. They are particularly interested in discovering how things work.

They learn best alone or in small groups, where they can experiment, watch demonstrations, or be set practical problems. They benefit from short presentations, 'on-the-job' training, and experiential workshops. Demonstrations and practical examples are of more use to them than theory, discussion or reading, since they tend to mistrust talk and abstract thinking.

As learners, they:

• are less interested in theories than in practical facts
• prefer hands-on training
• learn in a step by step fashion
• good at memorisation, categorisation and analysis
• learn best when the subject is intellectually or technically complex
• prefer to learn by demonstration, practical experience, analysis, observation, research or investigation
• need evidence or proof when learning new facts
• may need to organise their learning more productively

They learn best when:

• encountering new problems or opportunities from which to learn
• listening and observing, e.g. watching how other people do things, listening to a lecture or presentation, taking notes
• encouraged to research, explore, investigate and collect information
• allowed to absorb ideas at their own pace and to digest them thoroughly before acting on them or making decisions
• being presented with logical, coherent arguments
• allowed to absorb ideas at their own pace and digest them thoroughly before acting on them or making decisions
• can link what they are learning to 'real-world' problems
• they can put into practice what they have learnt

They are challenged when:

• creativity, interpersonal relationships and personal growth are valued above skill, competence and attention to detail
• having to take centre stage or being put 'under the spotlight'
• presented with too many distractions or alternatives
• involved in situations which require spur-of-the-moment action and decision-making
• there is too much theory, generalisation or ambiguity
• not given clear guidance or set clear goals

College Learning Style

Students with this learning style are cool onlookers. They analyse life with detached curiosity and occasional surprising flashes of humour. They exert themselves only when necessary, wanting not to waste energy. Inwardly, they organise the information they gather about things and nature.

Choosing a Major Subject

• Like to investigate career options as long as possible; are likely to be unsure even after having decided
• See ideal career as providing a stable and secure future
• Tend to choose fields such as applied science, mechanical troubleshooting, law, economics, marketing, securities, or statistics

Learning Preferences

• Learn by devising logical categories for new material
• Find underlying principles in their inner catalogue of data
• Want lecturers to present material clearly
• Prefer objective material
• May experience difficulty in classrooms because few college lecturers are their type

Reading, Writing, Studying

• Bring order to unorganised facts
• Prefer to study alone
• Enjoy reading technical material about ways to solve problems
• Write with difficulty unless first drafts can include their natural wry wit, mixed with facts
• Must revise final drafts by adding human examples and deleting all but the necessary facts

Playing

• Report they like to attend athletic events
• May become so engrossed in a project that roommates never see them
• Report dating no more than once a month, or haven't tried
• Enjoy hands-on work even as play

Possible Causes of Stress

• Tend to keep important thoughts to themselves
• Often underestimate the time required for a project
• Friends may feel dismissed if their logic isn't clear
• Rarely show appreciation
• Tests in complex subjects that require getting at the underlying meaning

Dealing With Stress

• Naturally think things through before acting
• Naturally calm in the face of crises
• Can often find a way to succeed in spite of the rules
• May need to show others what they like about them
• May need to invite friends to join in activities