The Method of Loci and Evaluation Time
The Method of Loci
I am normally all for trying new methods of learning and keeping an open mind about ways to obtain and store knowledge. But I have to admit either I didn’t give the Method of Loci a chance or it just is not the right method for me at this moment in my life. Some people would be hesitant because it involves meditation and requires stillness. That is truly a hard thing to do for many of us. We are constantly on the move. But that is not always the case with me. I practice Yin style yoga at my local YMCA. My yoga master is truly gifted at leading us through deep meditation and visualizations. I do not always succeed at emptying my mind of everything but my breath, but I come close.
Reading about a visualization exercise and then trying to do it on my own was difficult. As I stated, I’m used to having a person lead me through this sort of exercise aurally. I tried copying the text into a format that the computer could then read to me. But the tinny voice was distracting and not engaging at all. It could be I’m just too tired. As I tried to count my breaths, I would lose my place as I found myself drifting off to sleep. By the time I got to the part I was supposed to be memorizing, I was slumbering. Perhaps this would work better for me when I’m not burning the midnight oil trying to complete my assignments.
When memorizing facts and figures, I have always done better if I write it out, or have a real-life application for the information. If I do need to just memorize it to memorize it, then making my own flash cards and then practicing it over and over is a method that works for me. This is likely because I was trained to learn this way as a kid in elementary school. Finding a story that goes with it helps as well. If there is a storytelling aspect to a fact that catches my interest, then I’ll likely remember it better. Doodling also helps me absorb facts. My high school chemistry notes were full of doodles. Some I can remember to this day such as picturing Ohm’s Law as a meditating yoga master chanting “Ohmmmmm.”
As for improving my instructional designs, I have found if I am blocked or lacking inspiration, it is best for me to just take in the problem without trying to think of a solution. I then back away from it for a while. I’ll go for a walk or wait until the next morning. Sometimes it gets worked out in my dreams. Most times solutions come to me while I’m doing a routine chore such as taking a shower or brushing my teeth. And sometimes, even though my yoga master is asking me to empty my head of thoughts, I really can’t do it and the relaxation does indeed get me past a block and the ideas start to flow.
My Implementation & Evaluation
I’m in the final stages of the ADDIE model on creating a training session for our faculty at Lone Star College-North Harris on some more advanced techniques of using SoftChalk to create interactive online lessons. I’ve gathered feedback from a classmate and conducted a beta test with my client and one of her department staff members. As I’m preparing to present this session at the end of the month, I appreciate the other “eyes” that help me produce the best training I can offer.
I’m not a stranger to critique. You cannot graduate from art school without developing a thick hide. After putting my heart and soul into a project, I have had to place it at the front of the class for the instructor and all my classmates to dissect publicly its strengths and weaknesses. I once had an instructor tell me in a football analogy that “I needed to punt.” Talk about returning to the drawing board! Plus, working as a graphic artist and web designer with clients who have their own opinions and ultimately the final say in what is produced, I’ve learned not to take it personally, not hold a design or creation so close to my heart, and to keep an open mind. It is actually amazing how someone who has not been looking at a project day in and day out can easily see the flaws. A good and caring critique is worth active consideration.
I will not be ignoring much in my client and peer’s feedback. Their suggestions were thoughtful and good. My peer encouraged me to include my evaluation tabulations and not shy away from the math. My client was also my beta tester. She and her staff helped me plan how to keep session participants on track even if they are all on different technology skill levels. I had already accounted for most of their suggestions. However, they surprised me with their reaction to the negative language in my participant and facilitator session evaluations. I will be taking their suggestion to change this to a more positive evaluation because I want to gather thoughtful results not emotional ones. I am indeed appreciative of their input and my session will be better off having gone through this beta test and evaluation.
Tags: LTEC 5210