Re: Using learning theory to build learning documents

["Pro TechWriter" <pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Re: Kevin's question about how you know your learning style: I went through
a battery of tests at a learning center and also by a psychologist to
determine good careers for me, and also my personality type. But, those
results were validated by my own experience, when I thought about it. For
example:

  1. I am an inveterate note-taker, and have always been (college and
  work). If someone gives me a string of instructions verbally and I can't
  write them down quickly, I will not retain all of the information.
  2. Playing musicial instruments, for me, involves spatial
  relationships (where my hands are and how that matches the music I am
  learning) as well as the music--but I visualze the music on a scale. I don't
  read music either, but play by ear, and can play almost anything after I
  hear the first part of a verse and a chorus, but it's based on visualizing
  the structure, doing it, hearing it, playing it.
  3. My memories are almost all visual, rather than auditory, but also
  include other sensory data (smell, touch), which also supports the
  designation of visual-kinetic learner.
  4. As a gymnast, I learned by spatial orientation. My instructor knew
  this (maybe it's common?) and explained how to do something by where my
  knees, elbows, head, etc. should be to do whatever move it was correctly.
  When I did it correctly one time, I could do it from there on.

Local community colleges or full universities usually have a Career Center
of some kind where testing is available for a small fee. You could ask if
they can help you determine your learning style.


On 11/22/06, mlist -at- safenet-inc -dot- com <mlist -at- safenet-inc -dot- com> wrote: