1.1: Preparing to Learn

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Know Yourself: What is your Learning Style?

“Reading is a complex task. No single part of the brain can do all the work,” (Q. HE)

Believe it or not, we don’t all learn the same way. In fact, reading is a new enough behavior for humans that there is no wiring in our brains specifically for reading. Each and every one of us make those neural connections differently.

This is a good reason to pay attention to your learning preferences. Being aware of your own learning preferences can help you to use strategies and tools for learning that will support what you naturally do. Of course, it’s still important to use strategies that “stretch” your brain a bit too – you never know when you might need those other strategies!

Note

Throughout this text, you will find both graded activities (Learning Activities, which will have corresponding submission spaces on BlackBoard) and optional exercises which are unscored. You should skim readings and activities at the beginning of the period they are assigned to determine how much time they might take you, and to manage your schedule accordingly. If an activitiy is labeled as an "Optional Exercise," you only need to complete it if you have the time and interest. "Learning Activities," on the other hand, cannot be made up if the due date passes and you did not submit the work.

Optional Exercise: Learning Style

This link contains a short quiz that shows you how you learn best, which you might find helpful if you have never before considered what ways you best absorb information. You may also enjoy several other questionnaires under the self-assessment tab to the left on the page you will land.