Poll of the Day > What's your preferred method of learning?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I ask this question because everyone learns in a unique way and for different purposes. So I'm wondering which is your preferred method of learning, and feel free to explain why that's how you like to be taught.

I'm voting for observing things such as nature and people, because when I take a step back to see things, I can illuminate them and see the truth, which is how I mature as a person. However I have tried all of the methods listed and have used them to a degree.

Practical I suppose. I like to give things a go and if I do anything wrong then learn from it. Monkey see, monkey do.
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usually do things by myself, but there are times where I'll watch what someone does to get an idea
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Reading, especially alone by myself. I have always been a good test scorer and when people ask I just say because I read my stuff and pay attention. I always hated how people would text and take 50 bathroom breaks then whisper "pssh Dime whats the answer to this" At a job training course, I am like dude 1. Pay attention (I would sometimes answer tho), 2. As long as you show up ad don't do something crazy they won't fire you.

Practicing on the job / self teaching
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While I did pretty good with institutionalized learning, I think I learn best with trial by fire.

Want me to learn Italian? Send me to rural Italy for a month where no one speaks English.
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Im practically an absorber. I learn only once and i hang onto it. Thats why my score are relatively better than my classmate even when im not study the test subject. But i like practical learning. It gives you experience not just a theory that you will forget 1 hour later.
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Trial and Error
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All of the above, depending on what I'm trying to learn. I will say, though, I generally find institutionalized learning to be the least useful of the bunch. Lectures are just generally shitty for conveying information - you need some actual application in there somewhere.
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By the seat of my pants
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Lectures, videos, and books.
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I like to use all methods to get a more well-rounded perspective, taking on only one way is limiting learning in the subject and typically leads to mindless parroting.
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Depends on the subject, I suppose. Each method/format has its advantages and disadvantages (except never learning, which isn't really an option)

Institutionalized learning (school)
+Structure
+Accountability
+Guided learning
-Not always an interesting format
-Combination of structure and accountability takes away from the fun
-Not much control over what you learn
-Quality can vary depending on the institution
-Potential cost

Practical learning while on the job
+Usually practical knowledge, prioritizing the essentials
+Getting paid to learn
+Accountability (and possibly some structure)
-Learning can feel stressful
-Narrow scope of learning

Learning from your own mistakes
+Experience can be a great teacher; more likely to ingrain certain lessons
-Absurdly limited range of topics
-If you're not sure why you actually made the mistake, can keep making it
-Can completely miss certain things because you haven't encountered them; ie, some solutions won't occur you

Self-teaching through reading, documentaries, etc
+Complete freedom, allowing you to study what you want and how much
+Broadest range of topics and scope of learning
-Almost entirely reliant on personal motivation
-Lack of guidance and structure can greatly impede learning

Learning by conversing with others
+Potentially wide array of subjects
-Limited by who you know
-You generally won't be talking to subject-matter experts so the information you receive may be of questionable quality or outright wrong. (Case-in-point would be learning about politics through Facebook.)

Learning through observing things such as nature or people
+Watching others can help you detect your own blindspots
+Original research
-Impractical method
-You won't necessarily learn best-practices

Other
First thing to jump to mind is mentorship, which is a tremendous learning system (although limited by your mentor's or mentors' experiences)

Another is non-institutionalized structured learning like online courses and webinars.
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^ great post!

Zeus posted...

Depends on the subject, I suppose. Each method/format has its advantages and disadvantages (except never learning, which isn't really an option)

Institutionalized learning (school)
+Structure
+Accountability
+Guided learning
-Not always an interesting format
-Combination of structure and accountability takes away from the fun
-Not much control over what you learn
-Quality can vary depending on the institution
-Potential cost

Practical learning while on the job
+Usually practical knowledge, prioritizing the essentials
+Getting paid to learn
+Accountability (and possibly some structure)
-Learning can feel stressful
-Narrow scope of learning

Learning from your own mistakes
+Experience can be a great teacher; more likely to ingrain certain lessons
-Absurdly limited range of topics
-If you're not sure why you actually made the mistake, can keep making it
-Can completely miss certain things because you haven't encountered them; ie, some solutions won't occur you

Self-teaching through reading, documentaries, etc
+Complete freedom, allowing you to study what you want and how much
+Broadest range of topics and scope of learning
-Almost entirely reliant on personal motivation
-Lack of guidance and structure can greatly impede learning

Learning by conversing with others
+Potentially wide array of subjects
-Limited by who you know
-You generally won't be talking to subject-matter experts so the information you receive may be of questionable quality or outright wrong. (Case-in-point would be learning about politics through Facebook.)

Learning through observing things such as nature or people
+Watching others can help you detect your own blindspots
+Original research
-Impractical method
-You won't necessarily learn best-practices

Other
First thing to jump to mind is mentorship, which is a tremendous learning system (although limited by your mentor's or mentors' experiences)

Another is non-institutionalized structured learning like online courses and webinars.

I should make this post as subject to my.... Youtube video. Thanks zeus
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