Learning Styles and Work Orientation

The term learning style refers to an individual’s preferred studying and learning acquisition strategies. In other words, learning styles are the preferences and tendencies that a person can use to gain knowledge. We all use different strategies that suit our personality and abilities in order to learn more effectively; most of the time we don't even realise it.

According to the book Frames of Mind (1983), by Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard, there are seven different intelligences or learning styles, visual, kinesthetic, aural, linguistic, and logical. Furthermore, in the past few years, he introduced one new aptitude: naturalistic intelligence [Rich Dad, Poor Son for Teens by Robert T. Kiyosaki & Sharon L. Lechter.]. A brief definition for each of these learning styles are shown below:

• Visual/Spatial - Allows individuals to communicate and visualise ideas through the use of images, diagrams, maps, puzzles, and other visual representations.

• Physical/Kinesthetic - Allows individuals to communicate and learn through the use of their bodies; for instance, dancing, acting out, role playing, and/or manipulating objects.

• Musical/Aural - This type of learners learn and communicate better through the use of sounds, music, rhythm, and musical patterns.

• Interpersonal - Allows individuals to communicate and learn when collaborating, discussing, and talking to others.

• Intrapersonal - Individuals with this learning style are very independent and learn best through reflection and analysis.

• Linguistic - As the name suggests, this type of learners learn and express themselves better through the use of words, both written and spoken.

• Logical/Mathematical - This type of learners prefer to learn through the use of numbers, patterns, logic games, and reasoning.

• Naturalistic Intelligence - Individuals with this learning style learn best by classifying, recognising, and interacting with the natural environment that surrounds them

Although these learning styles or intelligences are meant to help individuals, students in particular,  to get to know themselves better; there is a large number of students who are not capable of identifying which learning techniques would help them learn efficiently and assimilate their knowledge. For these reasons, there are tests designed to help students find out their learning styles that consequently will allow them to improve their studying techniques. Nevertheless, the more specific the test is, the more expensive it gets, and therefore they cannot be acquired by all students.

Vocational orientation, also known as career orientation, is the process of guiding an individual in order to determine which would be the most successful educational and professional paths for them. In addition, vocational orientation provides individuals with information about the career options that would best fit their profiles. 

It is very important that students orient themselves towards their interests and objectives, as well as being aware of the expectations and qualifications of the world of work. Vocational orientation tests have been specifically designed to help people of all ages to recognize their aptitudes and abilities. Unfortunately, many of these tests are not available to all students due to price or lack of knowledge about this type of tests. For this reason, there are numerous high school students that do not know what they should study in university. For instance, according to a survey sent out to 74 students from grades 6 to 12 in ISP, 58.1% of them do not know or are not sure of what they are going to study in university. Therefore, it is necessary that students get to know themselves, in order to select a career path.

It is true that ISP provides grade 9 students with the exceptional opportunity of finding an internship in a job of their interest. However, due to the lack of orientation in previous years, these students may not know what to do for their work experience, this way choosing an area they are not truly interested in. Furthermore, in grade 10, students are required to select the subjects they will be taking in the Diploma programme (grades 11 -12), although they are allowed to change their decision anytime, it is also really important that they have an idea of what they would like to do in the future in order to avoid any struggles later on. If all students were professionally oriented, this could reduce the number of students who stumble when one of life's most important decisions arrives.

Our vocation is the personal and cultural manifestation of our own identity. For this reason, it is fundamental that all secondary and high school students are wisely guided through the process of selecting an educational and professional path.

A survey was carried out to find out whether there is a relationship between the student’s learning styles and their future career selection; this survey was sent to 74 ISP students from grades 6 to 12. According to the data obtained from this questionnaire, 1 out of every 4 students (70%) do not know their learning style; furthermore, 2 out of 4 students (58.1%) do not know or are not sure of what they would like to study in university. Although this results might not represent the whole school, there is a large number of students who need proper orientation in both of these matters.

As it was mentioned in the two previous articles, it is very important for students to know themselves in order to choose a career or be successful in their education. It is fundamental that all students find a career that fulfils them, as well as helping them to develop their strengths. Nevertheless, this cannot be accomplished if secondary and high school students are not guided through the process of vocational selection and are left to their own devices. If schools started to help students know themselves, there would be a considerable decrease in the amount of students struggling with academic work and other decisions.

If all students had the opportunity to know their learning styles, they would also know the techniques and strategies that would help them to improve, not only in school, but in their daily lives. Moreover, the survey shows that 66.2% of the 74 students surveyed, believe that our learning styles can affect our future career decisions. Surprisingly, the percentage of students who know what they will study in university, 36.2%, is a smaller, almost equal, percentage to the number of students who don’t know their learning styles: 38.4%. On the other hand, 22 students or 16.2% of the students surveyed, do know what they will study in university. This is the same percentage of students who have a concrete idea of what their learning style is. It should be noted the 2.2% of students surveyed are not planning to attend university.

In accordance with all the results obtained in this survey, there is no clear relationship or correlation between learning styles and career selection. However, this does not mean students shouldn’t be mentored in both of these areas; it is essential that students know their strengths, weaknesses, and interests in order to be successful in life. All individuals should have the opportunity to know themselves, as ‘those who feel they have no place, or are not recognized for who they are, are unhappy and can be so for the rest of their lives’ (Nadine Mouchet, personal communication, November 20th 2019).