The Learning Process

There are some simple steps and guidelines that one can follow to assist in structuring, organizing and managing the entire learning process. Although please keep in mind that the methods outlined here present one of a number of ways that this process can be undertaken. A future Mind Map will focus on Study Skills which will provide you with a slightly different perspective on this approach. However for now, here are some suggestions that can assist you with enhancing the learning process:

Locate

Your first step is always to locate and identify the learning materials (books, articles, websites, etc) that you will need for content extraction. In order to be both effective and efficient throughout your learning process, make sure to have all your study materials prepared before moving onto the next step.

Explore

Exploration of your resources and topic content is the next step within the learning process. This exploration of your content material should be accomplished through the use of 7 intelligences; namely:

• Visual (diagrams, graphs, sketches, mind maps),
• Aural (focus on and record sound),
• Verbal (lectures, discussions, dramatic reading, creating recordings),
• Physical (incorporating movement, role playing, post-it-notes),
• Logical (analysis, playing with numbers),
• Social (group learning, role playing, involving others)
• Solitary (personal journal, reaction notes, etc).

These will be discussed in a little further detail at a later time. For now, it is important to move through the exploration phase in a way that enhances your immediate understanding of this material, and this is best achieved through the use of the above mentioned learning methods.
As a general rule, the more of these methods you utilize throughout the learning process, the more readily and easily you will absorb the material you are studying. For more information, please read Advanced Multi-Sensory Study Skills IQ Matrix.

Arrange

Here you are basically preparing your content for the process of memorization. Firstly, analyze the content to get a feel for the type of material you are dealing with. Secondly, select the techniques you will utilize that will be most effective in assisting you with the long-term retention of the materials. Finally, you must now prepare the content in a way that will support the learning methods you have chosen.

Reinforce

This is the point where you take everything you have done in the previous steps and begin converting this information into longterm memory. This is accomplished through applying the 7 intelligence principles, through varied and creative repetition, and through conducting regular reviews of your material throughout the learning process.

eNquire

This process involves the act of measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of your learning. This can be measured in 4 ways.
Firstly, through Immediate Reviews where you take in feedback on a continuous basis throughout the learning process.
Secondly, through Lesson Reviews where you review the effectiveness of the previous steps when learning new material.
Thirdly, you can apply Formal Reviews where you utilize tests and other grading methods to test your knowledge of these principles.
And finally, conduct a System Review by over-viewing the entire learning process and looking at ways it can be managed more effectively and improved in the future.


Silvia De La Rosa Girón*