ACTIVE AND REFLECTIVE LEARNERS
• Active learners tend to retain and understand information best by doing something active with it--
discussing or applying it or explaining it to others. Reflective learners prefer to think about it quietly
first.
• "Let's try it out and see how it works" is an active learner's phrase; "Let's think it through first" is the
reflective learner's response.
• Active learners tend to like group work more than reflective learners, who prefer working alone.
• Sitting through lectures without getting to do anything physical but take notes is hard for both
learning types, but particularly hard for active learners.
Everybody is active sometimes and reflective sometimes. Your preference for one category or the other may
be strong, moderate, or mild. A balance of the two is desirable. If you always act before reflecting you can
jump into things prematurely and get into trouble, while if you spend too much time reflecting you may
never get anything done.
How can active learners help themselves?
If you are an active learner in a class that allows little or no class time for discussion or problemsolving
activities, you should try to compensate for these lacks when you study. Study in a group in which
the members take turns explaining different topics to each other. Work with others to guess what you will be
asked on the next test and figure out how you will answer. You will always retain information better if you
find ways to do something with it.
How can reflective learners help themselves?
If you are a reflective learner in a class that allows little or no class time for thinking about new
information, you should try to compensate for this lack when you study. Don't simply read or memorize the
material; stop periodically to review what you have read and to think of possible questions or applications.
You might find it helpful to write short summaries of readings or class notes in your own words. Doing so
may take extra time but will enable you to retain the material more effectively.
SENSING AND