Learning styles

I've always been fascinated by how people learn. I guess that isn't surprising considering what I do for a living, but I also had to determine how I learn. I took my first exam since university graduation (1992... shhh – don't start trying to figure out my age and such) – that exam was the PMP® exam, by the way – in 2007, just so you know I've been exactly where you are right now. Figuratively, not literally, because that would be weird. Before that, I hadn't studied anything except work-related things and learning new systems and software, but a full-blown examination? Well, that was totally new to me.

So, I took a learning style quiz online as well as the Myers-Briggs online test to determine my learning style and the careers I would fit the best in. Unsurprisingly, the Myers-Briggs type of test lists me as an advocate. When I read through the details, it was like they were creepily sitting in my living room watching everything I was doing. It was so on point I was shocked. Then, I started using these online tests with my teams to determine their style of learning and personality. Then, we all compared what we got during a meeting. It was eye-opening, to say the least, and for some, the results were unsurprising. For others, they were shocked by the results.

There are tons of free online tests out there. I liked this one for my team if you are interested: https://www.16personalities.com/.

Then, we did the learning styles. I was curious about how I learned and am not a believer in one size fits all. I learn just as easily from something I'm watching on Netflix as I do reading a book, or listening to a podcast. So, how could I arrange my studying around the stronger factors of my way of learning?

I have a plethora of learning styles, but for big exams, inquiring minds wanted to know. So, I went out to a different site from the one listed here, due to the fact that 2007 was 100 years ago in the lifespan of technology, but this one is very similar and gave me great insight.

I just took the learning styles test right now, this moment, in 2021, and used the link provided here. I was totally blown away. I suggest that you go to the site and take your own or something like it before you read on. It's one thing to nod along while reading but if you truly don't know your style, then it will be more difficult to try to figure it out while you're studying. Streamlining your study by using your preferred methods of learning will go a very long way!

Go to the link and check it out. Don't worry, I'll wait: https://www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory/questions.php?cookieset=y.

Based on my results, it appears that I learn the best when being social and verbal. The verbal aspect didn't surprise me as I'm often caught having a discussion with myself by my husband. He calls it "self-talk." I can self-talk with the best of them and I teach for a living, so I'm talking all the time. It was the social part that surprised me the most. If you asked my students and colleagues whether I'm an introvert or an extrovert, they would absolutely say I'm an extrovert. I'm not. I'm just good at working a room. Once it's over, I desperately need a nap or quiet self-talk, so solitary learning was also not surprising to me. Aural means I like having music on when I write or study, and that is true as well. The late, great David Bowie is keeping me company as I write this – on Pandora, not actually keeping me company. By the way, nothing in this section is on the exam, it's just a way to help you through the process.

What I got from my results is that I needed a combination of classroom learning with others and study groups that I could attend and discuss concepts. Then, I needed to peace out and go study on my own with music on. It works for me and still does to this day. Although, after years of taking certification exams, writing courseware, writing three books, and teaching, the social aspect of what I do has waned, replaced with studying or deep thinking. The following are the scores I got. What did you get? Were you surprised?

Figure 1.7 – Learning styles

The seven learning styles

According to the website, the following represent the seven learning styles and their meanings:

• Visual (spatial): Prefers using pictures, images, and spatial understanding
• Aural (auditory-musical): Prefers using sound and music
• Verbal (linguistic): Prefers using words, both in speech and writing
• Physical (kinesthetic): Prefers using body, hands, and sense of touch
• Logical (mathematical): Prefers using logic, reasoning, and systems
• Social (interpersonal): Prefers to learn in groups or with other people
• Solitary (intrapersonal): Prefers to work alone and use self-study

Now that you know your breakdown, you can decide what will work best for you when you are studying for this or any other exam. The following are some examples of types of learning styles and ways you can use them to help you study for your exam.

Visual

Visual learners prefer to use graphics, charts, graphs, and outlines. You may also determine that using color-coding works well for you. This section is green for planning or red for closing. Using highlighters in the guide is also a good way to call out visually what you need to remember. You can also use technology such as apps with practice questions or even write out the items you want to remember and then read them back. Finally, reading guides such as this and taking practice exams is the best way to get started. I have had students that make their own flashcards and tape them up in their house so that every time they get a cup of coffee, the index card is right there with the question and the answer.

Verbal

A little self-talk is never a bad thing and if you are verbal, saying things out loud or reading out loud can go a long way to locking in the content. Verbal learners tend to use mnemonics, keywords, and phrases to help lock in information, as well as taking copious notes to help create acronyms they can use to remember content. You may also benefit from an online pre-recorded class that you can play on your tablet while you make dinner or do other things – especially if you have a high score in auditory learning as well. I also appreciate a bit of motivational speech while I'm burning things in the kitchen.

Logical

If you are a logical learner, chances are you are a linear thinker. You may benefit from reading The PMBOK® Guide – 6th Edition due to the compartmentalization of the layout. You also may benefit from brain teasers and games that allow you to solve a problem and help you learn. Writing lists and using numbered categories may help you solidify the information you are learning. Determining the cause and effect of each process, tool/technique, and the like will go a long way for you. You also are not scared of math and probably thought that learning 800 formulas of statistics is something you were planning to do this weekend. That and soundly beating someone in a not-so-quick game of chess. I envy you!

Aural or auditory

It makes sense that auditory learners learn from listening. If you learn this way, my best advice is to get an audiobook or to use an online training course that has replay. This will allow you to listen to the instructor while you are doing other things or just plug in your headphones and grab a chair. This type of learner also enjoys interactions and conversations where they can listen to another's point of view and are vastly affected by music and tones. You may benefit from listening to music while you study or update your notes. By notes, I mean study notes, not musical notes. You may be someone who creates a song or tune about what you are learning and uses that to your best advantage. Perhaps some interpretive dance to go with it? You may find it difficult to review charts and graphs that have a lot of information on them unless someone verbally explains them. Much like the verbal learners, reading out loud can also go a long way to helping you study to your best advantage.

Social

Social learners learn best in a group environment. Perhaps you could join a study group that is at a local PMI® chapter, or if someone else in your organization is gearing up for their PMP®, you can study together. This will allow you to bounce ideas off of others. You may also benefit from taking a live training class, either one that is highly interactive and virtual or one in a brick and mortar classroom. You need to have a group of like-minded people to discuss things with, but you are also open to other ways of viewing information. The other thing you will excel at and learn at the same time is teaching the material to others. Maybe you can hold a team-building meeting where you discuss risk management best practices using the techniques you learn about here or elsewhere. That provides the collaborative spirit you need and helps your organization protect itself from risk.

Intrapersonal

If you are mostly an introvert and prefer to work alone, then your studying process will be solitary but structured. You will benefit from setting learning goals and will be disciplined enough to achieve the goal you have set. You would benefit the most from your ability to self-manage and determine what is working and what is not working based on your self-reflection. The best way for you to learn is to study a concept and then think about how it can be utilized on your current projects and how it ties into your day-to-day experiences. Make sure you secure a very quiet place to study with limited disruptions (if possible). Turn off the phone, the television, and the radio and dive in. You will self-police your progress and work toward your goal.

Physical

Physical or kinesthetic learners are typically good at athletics and sports and can memorize rules and playbooks easily. With that being said, if these types of learners are stuck inside, sitting in an office trying to read, they will immediately go clean the garage and avoid the boring sedentary feeling they get from studying. Hands-on learning is great for you so that those practice exams will come in handy. You aren't reading, you are doing. You would also benefit from recorded courses that you can listen to on a run or when doing exercise of some kind. Role-playing is also beneficial to your way of learning. "This just happened, what do you do?" Basically, a day in the life of a project manager. "The project is sideways, what do we do?" You will tend to determine the best course of action quickly. Something as simple as pacing while you read or listen can help lock down the knowledge you're learning about as well. You will respond much better to graphs and charts if you copy ones from the guide and draw them out yourself. This will help with your retention, as will taking copious notes.

Hopefully, all that advice is of some benefit to you, and I will do my best to help accommodate your learning styles as we work through the content in this guide.

If you are still with me, then you have adapted to my personality a bit. That is why I started where I did: first, to get the big questions covered right out of the gate so that you are prepared to move forward with the content, and second to see whether my personality is something that will help you learn. I won't lie to you, a lot of this content could be described as dry at best, and at worst, not a beach read. So I try very hard to make things interesting and usable for your studies and for your day-to-day project work.

If you are still with me, then let's get this party started and prepare you to pass a big, expensive exam, gain glory and back pats for at least an hour, and potentially make a ton of money. Ready? Good! Let's get started, then.