dr. Uroš Ocepek, Srednja tehniška in poklicna šola Trbovlje
Modern pedagogy is characterized by personalized, constructivist approach to learning, taking into account different cognitive abilities, such as prior knowledge, as well as learning and personality characteristics. In order to increase metacognition in the process of learning, we have designed a new unique model and web application PRST-patterns (http://prst-patterns.com/) for characterizing and detecting students learning and personality patterns. There are many kinds of learning style models (eg. Felder and Silvermans, Honey and Mumfords, Kolb,s and Myers-Briggss model), which are specified only for one aspect of students cognitive or learning preferences. In order to get wider picture of personality patterns, a student has to answer numerous questions (more than 150 questions), which is time-consuming. The second disadvantage is the fact that it is not always possible to detect a dominant learning style for a student as two or more learning modes have a high value at the same time. In order to take into account all these findings, we have used some modern algorithms of machine learning and designed a new model PRST-patterns, which summarizes outputs of all learning/cognitive style models mentioned above. Abbreviation PRST stands for patterns of perceiving, reasoning, studying and thinking. Our brand new model contains only 15 questions and covers at the same time all information of students learning preferences and characteristics (cognitive style, epistemic style, hemispheric style and perceiving style). Combining more learning style models into one model can help students to get to know themselves better in order to know their learning and personality strength points and get positive tips to increase weaker points of personality. In our presentation, we will show our model PRST-patterns, present a brand new graphical representation of the results and feedback. We will present positive impact onto learning process and present variety of different usage of our model: in learning process and for personal use. Tao Te Ching said, “If you understand others you are smart. If you understand yourself you are illuminated.”
