ireckon blog

Training - Back to Basics

Posted by: Craig on 21 Jul 2008 @ 11:49 am Category: Inside Ireckon

I have been involved in training in one aspect or another for the majority of my career. You gain a lot of knowledge that way - before you can train others you have to fully understand and have a good grasp of the subject matter yourself.

However having worked at Ireckon for only the past 2 months has given me a unique view of having "the shoe on the other foot" so to speak. This industry is new to me, so I have had (and still have) a lot of learning to do. Seeing it from the other side I decided to dust off my old college books on training to review the basics of how I actually learn.

Having a better idea of how you learn gives the individual an understanding on how best to retain information. There are many different theories and I thought for a bit of fun (and hopefully to help you learn better) I will explore some of these over my next couple of blog entries.......

For example did you know that having read this blog you will only retain 10% of the information? However, if I read it out to you, you would retain 20%. There are many different ways of gaining information that will ensure that you retain more, but I will cover this further in a later blog.

This time I want to take a quick look at the 'Left Brain - Right Brain' theory. The identification of two types of thinking, analytical and creative, has led researchers to believe that different parts of the brain are involved in this process. There are many tests you can take to find which category you fit into, some long drawn out tests, others quick 'fun' visual tests.

I have always thought that learning should be fun, so I have found a quick 'fun' test for you. You may have seen it flying around the net last year, but did you know that it had some scientific significance? It won't give you a definitive answer as there has been some controversy about this test, however the test was designed only to give you an idea of the way your brain discerns the optical illusion. It has been suggested that if you are a creative thinker there will be more right brain activity or an analytical thinker for left brain activity.

It's easy - do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise? Then take a look at the breakdown below to see what that actually means to you.

If clockwise, it has been suggested that you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa. Don't focus on it too much, just take what you see first (with a bit of practice you can make her turn the other way)

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

Interesting huh?

Reference: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22535838-5012895,00.html

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