Learning Style Survey

There are basically three ways to learn:

1) By yourself,
2) As an apprentice, or
3) From a formal school.

Take this survey and find out which method may be best for you.

Choose only one answer per question by clicking in the circle button beside each answer, or under the agree/disagree choice, if available.

Then click the button at the bottom of the survey to find out how appropriate each learning method would be for your individual circumstance.

*This survey is not scientific. It is only a general guide to help you think about how you learn and what you are able to do re:commitment, budget, etc.

Learning Style Survey

Budget and Goals
1. What is your budget to learn piano tuning?	Less than $1000	$1000 to $3000	$3000 to $6000	$6000 to $10,000	$10,000+
2. What are your goals?	I just have a general interest in piano tuning and repair	I would like to learn how to tune my own piano	I would like to learn how to tune my friends’ pianos.	I would like to make some extra cash	I would like to become a professional and make this my career

How much do you agree with the following statements?	Strongly Agree	Agree	Undecided	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
3. I like to figure things out on my own. I do not mind that it may take too long or that I may not learn correctly.
4. I like to work and learn alone.
5. I like the real world experience. I think classrooms are a waste of time and do not teach what you need to know in the real world.
6. I like formal learning environments where there is equipment and tools where one can learn the right techniques from experienced teachers.
7. The secret to success is making your own opportunity. I do not like waiting for others to offer me things. A person needs to take chances.
8. Taking chances is a sure way to fail. It is much better to follow the tried and true path. Others before you have done the same thing. Why not learn from them?
9. Formal teaching environments are stagnant. They do not keep up with modern techniques and students graduate with a minmal level of knowledge and skill.
10. Many institutional teachers are weak in their level of practical knowledge on a subject. If you can’t do; teach. That’s why most teachers just follow a standard curiculuum that anyone could follow.
11. I have a hard time concentrating for long periods of time on a specific task. I usually drift to other things and don’t finish the job.

Travel Restrictions
12. What is the farthest you would travel for a day course?	I am not available to take a course of this length	160km/100mi	640km/400mi	I can travel anywhere	I am not interested in taking a course of this length
13. What’s the farthest you would travel for a weekend course?	I am not available to take a course of this length	160km/100mi	640km/400mi	I can travel anywhere	I am not interested in taking a course of this length
14. What’s the farthest you would travel for a weeklong course?	I am not available to take a course of this length	160km/100mi	640km/400mi	I can travel anywhere	I am not interested in taking a course of this length
15. What’s the farthest you would travel for a month long course?	I am not available to take a course of this length	160km/100mi	640km/400mi	I can travel anywhere	I am not interested in taking a course of this length
16. What’s the farthest you would travel for a 10 month course?	I am not available to take a course of this length	160km/100mi	640km/400mi	I can travel anywhere	I am not interested in taking a course of this length
17. What’s the farthest you would travel for an 18 month course?	I am not available to take a course of this length	160km/100mi	640km/400mi	I can travel anywhere	I am not interested in taking a course of this length

Independence
18. When someone gives you a job to do, how well do you do the job if there is no one around to supervise you?	I am able to focus well and complete the job, most of the time as good or better than the person in charge expected.	I usually need a little guidance to stay on track. I like to know if I’m doing things right. I don’t like being left to my own resources. I don’t like getting off track and appreciate the guidance.	I work best when I am supervised. I like the constant review and guidance. It makes me happy to know I’m doing things exactly the way someone wants them done.

How much do you agree with the following statements?	Strongly Agree	Agree	Undecided	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
19. I ask a lot of questions when I am learning something.
20. I learn best by reading about something and then trying it myself.
21. I need to be shown how to do something and then I try it out myself.
22. I only need to be shown something once.
23. I need to be shown stuff many times before I get it.
24. I am a very friendly person. I am not shy to talk to new people. I do not worry what they think of me and I am able to ask questions without being afraid that someone may think my question is stupid.
25. I am always on time. I think being punctual is a sign of respect so it bothers me immensely if I am late for others.
26. I am very hard on myself. I am always pushing myself to be the best I can be whenever I decide to do something.
27. A person cannot do well at a skill by trying to learn how to do something themselves. It is imperative that they find and aquire the guidance of a skilled instructor or they will never be very good.
28. I am very good at problem solving and have been told I am highly intelligent.

Education/Availability
29. My highest level of education.	Grade School	High School	Trade School	University	Graduate School
30. How much time per week are you available to commit to learning piano tuning and repair?	1 to 2 hours	4 to 6 hours	10 hours	20 hours	40 hours
31. How much time do you have available to study before you have to make money tuning pianos?	I need to make money right now.	6 months	12 months	2 years	I do not have make money.

Motivation
32. How important is it for you to aquire the skill of piano tuning and repair?	It is something I have always wanted to do. I have some experience with it and I know that this is something I will be doing for the rest of my life. It is very very important to me that I achieve a high level of success.	If it turns out I do not acheive a reasonable level of success with this skill, I will be disappointed, but I won’t be devastated.	If I don’t learn how to tune and repair pianos, I will be extremely disappointed. I need this career and I can’t fail at it.	I will be studying and practicing tuning and repair for the rest of my life, whether or not I achieve a high level of skill.	It is an interest of mine, but if it turns out I do not have the aptitude for it, I will not be disappointed.

Teachers
33. How important is it to you that your teachers are qualified educators?	Very. I can’t stand learning from people who can’t teach. I get bored and frustrated when they take so long to explain things and I find it frustrating when they cannot explain things in a variety of ways using different methods and resources.	Somewhat. I have some patience when teachers are not perfect. I can take what they say and try and piece together what they were trying to say.	Not at all. It is more important to me that the teachers are experts in the practical field they are teaching. I learn more by watching them than listening to what they say.
34. How important is it for you that your teachers are professional tuners and experts at tuning?	Very. Someone who can’t do what they are teaching, cannot teach it. They will be passing on knowledge that is not tested in real world situations and it will be a waste of time for everyone.	Somewhat. I don’t mind if my teacher is not an expert as long as they know how to do something. I think it is important to have a good balance between practical skill and knowing how to teach.	Not at all. Often, experts make the worst teachers. They may be able to do something really well, but when they try to explain it, they usually are very bad. Their descriptions often don’t make sense or they say things like, “I don’t know how to do it, I just do it”.

Learning Option	Mark	Comments
Individual
Apprentice
School

Note that this tool is only a guide to help you think about the requirements of each learning option. It is meant to help you decide which option may be best for you, but it cannot foresee every situation, nor know all of your strengths and weaknesses. As always, only personal experience will help you know for sure which option will help you succeed. Also, remember that all individual, apprentice, and formal school programs are not created equal.

Good luck with your choice.

If you have any questions about different learning options available to you, please CONTACT ME as soon as possible. I am here to help you make the best choice for your learning style.
Mark

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