CONCEPT
The Index of Learning Styles is an on-line instrument used to assess preferences on four dimensions (active/reflective, sensing/intuitive, visual/verbal, and sequential/global) of a learning style model formulated by Richard M. Felder and Linda K. Silverman. The instrument was developed by Richard M. Felder and Barbara A. Soloman of North Carolina State University.
The ILS may be used at no cost for non-commercial purposes by individuals who wish to determine their own learning style profile and by educators who wish to use it for teaching, advising, or research. Consultants and companies who wish to use the ILS in their work may license it.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- Initially formulated in 1988 by Felder and Silverman
- Initial 28-question instrument developed by Felder and Solomon
- Revised in 1994 to current 44-question version
- Published on www in 1996 with paper version
- Online version available in 1997
- Now used by approximately 1,000,000 people per year
my results
PERSONAL REFLECTION
After taking the Index of Learning Styles - Felder's Index, which provides an indication of an individual's learning preferences, I realized that my scores were quite unique. On one hand, I got a 3 on two of the 4 dimensions: active/reflective and sequential/global. This meant that I am fairly well balanced on the two dimensions of that scale. I guess that coincides with my own perception because I usually learn by direct interaction with the material, which I think about thoroughly. What's more, when it comes to learning new information, I sometimes tend to prefer learning linearly, but other times I prefer a holistic approach, depending upon what is being learned. On the other hand, regarding the other two dimensions: sensing/intuitive and visual/verbal, I scored a 9 on sensing and an 11 on visual. This means I have a strong preference for both of these learning styles. All I can say is that I am definitely detailed-oriented and I always look for visual representation of information. Indeed, I must confess that I would probably have real difficulty learning in environments that did not support these preferences.
After taking the Index of Learning Styles - Felder's Index, which provides an indication of an individual's learning preferences, I realized that my scores were quite unique. On one hand, I got a 3 on two of the 4 dimensions: active/reflective and sequential/global. This meant that I am fairly well balanced on the two dimensions of that scale. I guess that coincides with my own perception because I usually learn by direct interaction with the material, which I think about thoroughly. What's more, when it comes to learning new information, I sometimes tend to prefer learning linearly, but other times I prefer a holistic approach, depending upon what is being learned. On the other hand, regarding the other two dimensions: sensing/intuitive and visual/verbal, I scored a 9 on sensing and an 11 on visual. This means I have a strong preference for both of these learning styles. All I can say is that I am definitely detailed-oriented and I always look for visual representation of information. Indeed, I must confess that I would probably have real difficulty learning in environments that did not support these preferences.