Psychological Learning
Style

Global Thinking - Whole-to-Part processing; students with this style see the "big picture" before integrating individual parts of the picture into their thinking. "These students may appear to be slow processors when in reality, they are taking in the new information and considering the significance of it and interpreting how this new piece of knowledge fits into the larger system" (Mann, 2006). Students learn best by being presented the overall concept, then engaging in exploration of the pieces that make up the whole.

  VERSUS..

Analytical (Sequential) Thinking - Part-to-Whole processing; Analytical learners prefer to learn the sequential pieces, and assimilate the pieces into a whole concept. Analytical students learn best by being presented individual ideas or components, then exploring how each of the components links together to form the overall concept.

Impulsive (Active) Learner - Prefers to explore ideas through active exploration. They like to engage in "hands-on" learning and learn by trying out new ideas. Active learners enjoy exploratory-experiential learning.

VERSUS..

Reflective Learner - Prefers to ponder concepts and consider various options. Reflective learners learn through analysis and careful evaluation of new ideas through deep thinking. Reflective Learners need time to think, evaluate, and process new ideas.

When rating themselves as global or sequential, most students select "sequential", and between active or reflective, most students select "active" (Dahl, 2005). Your child could easily be different, but a sequential, active learner is the predominate style when students rate themselves.