RE: Using learning theory to build learning documents

[mlist -at- safenet-inc -dot- com]

Pro TechWriter [mailto:pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com] had the temerity to utter:
 

> Do you explain learning theory to your students, ever? I used 
> to do that,
> and got all kinds of valuable insight from them to add to the 
> "theory" part of it.
> 
> If you apply my very simple "learning theory": read it, say 
> it, do it, share
> it, well then, you would have text, sound, exercises, and maybe, what,
> mentoring of some kind, or an interactive area where the 
> "learner" could add their own information to the text?

This would take HATTs to a whole new level...
 
> This is very interesting to think about. Me, I am a kinetic 
> learner, leaning
> toward visual over auditory learning, except for music.

Is there an inexpensive, reliable way to find out 
for myself what type of learner I am? Or what the 
approximate weighting is for the styles that apply 
best to me?

I mean, I have an idea... I could tell you my best 
guess, based on anecdotal evidence, but if this is 
a repeatable, scientific discipline, then there are 
probably self-tests to be had, without going to some 
guru and being assessed in person (for big bucks). 

I tried a couple of on-line thingies, including this 
one at http://www.crc4mse.org/ILS

But they were based on answers to self-assessment questions.

I ended up with 6/5 or 4/7 splits for every spectrum, 
meaning, I guess, that I am torn...  that might explain 
the blackouts and the other wardrobe...    :-)

I'd like to see a real test, one that attempted to convey 
some material via each of the various modes, then computed 
a score (or scores) based on how the person actually 
performed.

Anybody encountered anything of the sort?

Anecdote time:

When my wife and I were parachuting instructors, we had a 
class that was entirely from a theatrical/performing group.
They were an eclectic, if not eccentric bunch. One, though, 
was a little alarming.

Here we are, up front with our friendly-yet-authoritative 
manner, crisp delivery, plentiful diagrams and physical 
visual aids... and here's this bunch of rowdies joking and 
carrying on and... in the front row, a guy has sprawled 
across his seat, with his hand over his eyes and his head 
on his girl-friend's lap.

After a couple of snide remarks from instructor about this 
being life-and-death stuff, literally, and was everybody 
paying _close_ attention, the girl-friend catches on:

"Oh, oh - c'est correct. Il est auditif!"

Her friend, she was saying, was primarily an auditory learner.

He did well when it came time for first jumps, so I 
guess it worked for him.

I can understand him closing his eyes and relaxing, to 
minimize other distractions, in order to concentrate on 
the instructor's voice. What I can't do is picture what 
went on in his head to integrate the incoming flow of 
words to later comprehension of physical realities.
That's because I'm visual. I learn a lot from reading, 
but I do a lot of translating incoming words into pictures 
in my head. What was he doing?

Would I have served him better if I'd had recordings, 
or had done really good vocal sound-effects for all the 
situations he'd soon be encountering? Engine noise, 
roar of wind as door opens, sound of parachute deploying...
 Hmm. I'll never know.

Kevin

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