The Rights and Wrongs of Learning and How We Need to Let Ourselves Learn

It’s pretty well known that I’m a huge fan of mind mapping and am a very visual learner. It’s also well know that school wasn’t easy for me growing up. Yes, I did well, but there were times I thought Chemistry and pre-calculus were going to be the death of me. Even through undergrad and grad school many things (again Chemistry) didn’t come easily to me. Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now about myself and my brain.

I wonder if I had been helped to hone the learning skills I had, instead of trying to shoe horn myself into the expectations of how to study. I think most teachers agree that everyone learns a little differently, but when trying to teach a class you have to aim for the middle to try to help the most kids you can. In my classes I know that when I go over something that most of the students are going to get it, but I also know that I’m going to need to review with some folks. I don’t look at it as they don’t get it or that I didn’t teach it well, I think of it as just needing to adjust to that person’s learning style.

It’s one of those times when I’m happy that I’m not a “traditional” learner, since often I had to learn what I’m teaching completely differently—even differently than I teach the same thing.

All of this was inspired by this post on those people who are fast learners:

The Way We Were Taught to Learn is Broken
Children are imaginative, creative and, in many ways, the epitome of this rapid learning strategy. Maybe it’s the current school system, or maybe it’s just a consequence of growing up, but most people eventually suppress this instinct.
The sad truth is that the formal style of learning, makes learning less enjoyable. Chemistry, mathematics, computer science or classic literature should spawn new ideas, connections in the mind, exciting possibilities. Not only the right answers for a standardized test.
The irony is that maybe if that childlike, informal way of learning came back, even just in part, perhaps more people would succeed on those very tests. Or at least enjoyed the process of learning.
link: How I Was Able to Ace Exams Without Studying | Zen Habits

I know it’s nearly impossible for teachers to adapt to all types of learners, but I think we need to be more flexible and find ways to help people who learn differently. Maybe trying to encourage different ways of connecting ideas or remembering concepts, bringing visual tools into play…the field is open.

Myself, once I figured out that the “regular” ways of doing things didn’t work for, things fell into place. Too bad I figured it all out after I finished school.