ereader
I graduated from college, having touched a computer exactly three times. I remember touring the library my senior year, where they explained the internet to us but informed us that it was only for the librarians. And my first professional job–as a Marketing Manager–required the secretary to show me how to start Windows. (You had to type in “Win3.”)
Yet today, I make my living by helping design and brand WordPress websites, I write search engine optimized copy and I help businesses and authors launch social media campaigns.
I had to learn all of these skills on my own, through a variety of means. And even though I have been writing fiction since I was seven, I am still learning.
Neverending Learning Curve
A worthwhile question to ask yourself if HOW do you learn?
We each learn through a unique combination of modalities. The basic, recognized methods of learning are:
- Auditory
- Visual
- Tactile
- Kinesthetic
I can not learn through audio explanations. I lose most of what is said, and because of hearing damage, I didn’t hear most of it anyway. As much as I love the idea of books on tape and MP3 files, I don’t utilize them often.
I prefer to sit down with an expert and have them walk me through a process, explaining and showing the steps. But that is not always possible, or feasible for some topics, like writing.
I can absorb a lot through visual methods, even recalling exact page placements. Since I own an eReader and a boat load of book, I have been testing my comprehension between the two. I have to admit, I retain less reading an eReader.
But for something like writing or creating art, I think the only worthwhile method is DOING. I have learned more from my failed novels and stories than I have learned from a conference or a book.
Noting your own learning methods is crucial for taking your education to the next level.