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4MAT System |
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| The 4MAT System was created by Bernice McCarthy. It is often
used for K-12 learners, but may be used with older learners as well. Based on brain
dominance theory, the 4MAT System identifies four learning styles. Type 1: Experiencing (Feeling and Reflecting) - Innovative Learners These learners prefer talking about their experiences and feelings, asking questions, and working in groups. They like to have learning connected to real life problems, to be nurtured by their teachers, and to be given the answer to "why." They dislike memorizing, listening to long verbal explanations, having to give oral presentations, conflict, and not being allowed to discuss their perceptions. These learners also dislike tests, especially if they are timed. Type 2: Conceptualizing (Reflecting and Thinking) - Analytic Learners These learners are knowledge-oriented, conceptual, and organized. They prefer to learn through lectures, working independently, and discussing ideas. They do well in traditional education that stresses verbal skills. They also tend to do well at tests. They dislike high activity, noisy environments, working in groups, role playing, and being asked to talk about feelings. Type 3: Applying (Thinking and Doing) - Common Sense Learners These learners like active problem solving, learning through discovery, touching, manipulating, constructing, and spatial tasks. They like to try things for themselves and physically test whatever they are learning about. They enjoy competition. Although they are comfortable with change, they have difficulty with open-ended tasks and prefer to be given deadlines. They dislike reading as a primary method of instruction and are uncomfortable with verbal complexity. Type 4: Creating (Creating and Acting) - Dynamic Learners These learners prefer to learn by self-discovery and work independently. They enjoy open-ended tasks that involve risk taking. They dislike routine work, visual complexity, and time management. They also dislike not being able to ask questions and tend not to do well on tests. McCarthy recommends using instructional activities that help students to develop every learning style. In developing instruction, consider answering these four questions:
These questions can be applied to distance education as well as to the traditional classroom. |