Living and Learning –
I have written in past posts the difficulty I had learning as a child. You can read more about these difficulties in these posts ‘Learning the Hard Way‘, and ‘A Slow Learner am I‘. I was labeled as a ‘slow learner’ and a child with ‘learning disabilities’. Per Dictionary.com, certain criteria consider me ‘retarded’.

Image Provided by: SlideShare
Some of those learning difficulties I had as a child continues today. The difference is today I understand and accept that which makes it difficult for me to learn. But, still today at times I become frustrated with the learning process. The frustration is mainly due to my learning style or method being interrupted and then concentration is lost. First of all, I am a visual person: I need to see something to learn something. Me sitting and listening to a lecture is a lost cause – I will receive very little from it. And if there is a visual portion, I may receive a little more, but I need my own set of visuals to learn.
And for me I learn best by myself; reading, researching, documenting, speaking out loud to myself – this is a great learning method for me.

Image Provided by: My Favorite Things – blogger
I also need quite time, no noise please. No TV in the background and sorry Gary – no phone calls with speaker phone – please?
In the last job I held before retiring, I was a IT Quality Assurance Specialist. This company created software for devices related to delivery of communication. On the surface of any software; what the end-user sees and uses – we take for granted that it will work. If it does not work, someone did not do their job, usually that someone is Quality Assurance. My job was to make sure the software worked per specifications and requirements and it would not break anything else and it would be easy for the end-user to understand and use.
Sounds like an easy job, right?
For me not so easy, but I did find it challenging – and challenging is a good thing.
I would arrive early in the morning; several hours before anyone would else because I needed my quite time, no noise please.
You see, I had much to learn about those specifications and requirements I just mentioned. They were complicated and I had to know them inside and out; it was my job to ensure the software worked as it should. So there I was early in the morning with no noise no interruptions with my visuals and I read, researched, documented and spoke out loud to myself. I learned my way and I was excellent at my job.

Image Provided by: Sunwood Development
Children and adults learn different ways – there are many different styles and methods to learning.
What about you, how do you like to learn?
I like to learn in a quiet space with a cup of tea. I can study for an hour at a time and then I need a five-minute break. I’m fortunate to be a happy reader and I don’t mind reading manuals if I have a quiet place to think about them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like reading manuals and other interesting complicated documents, except I have to have my total quiet place to myself. Thanks David, have a great week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am both a visual and practical learner. Like you a lecture goes right over my head. I just swith off…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brigid, I think there may many of that are that way. Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I like the quiet Terry, for me it is the only way. I can listen to a lecture, but I also like to write important information down (usually it is a scribble). I prefer to read and learn and again, I write information down, and find some way to make it easier for me to remember. It is all about the quiet for me.
Hope you have a good day 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, writing information down and making it easier to understand – I get it! And yes, the quiet please. Thanks Lynne, a good day to you as well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
This was an interesting post. I’m a special education teacher in high school, so I love to hear about how different people (especially those who were tagged as having a learning disability) learn. Some fun stats about learning. The average human being will retain: 5% of what they hear (conference, class), 10% of what they read, 20% of what they see and hear (ie: video), 30% of what is explained and demonstrated, 50% of something that has been discussed (as long as the individual had an active part in the discussion), 75% of what they learn while doing and 90% of what they see, hear, is demonstrated and is put into practice in a meaningful way very quickly. Now, consider that the average human being has a passive attention span of about 10 minutes. This is kind of scary when we think that a lot of classes are taught with a teacher just speaking, perhaps having students write notes, for a good hour. I personally need to learn, I need to do. To remember (by heart) I need to write. Have a good day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting stats Sophie! I also find it interesting in the difference we have in learning. I need to read and then find my own way to comprehend – a way that makes sense to me. Thanks for stopping by today to read and comment, I appreciate it very much. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m lucky to have been blessed as someone who learns things easily from a variety of methods. It was always tough to see my friends who didn’t learn in traditional ways struggle with school, even though I knew they were as smart as many of the kids who did well in school. Their grades suffered because they just didn’t learn like anyone else, not because they weren’t as smart as others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I totally understand what you are saying. I have no idea the approach to teaching is today in schools, I would assume and hope they now have many methods to teach kids. Thanks Sarah. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Im a visual and kinesthetic learner. I have to do as I learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, totally understand that Alexis. Thanks, hope the day is good to you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also need quiet and no noise to learn well. It is hard for me to focus! Good post Terry xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, absolutely I understand Lynn, my focus is lost easily! Happy Tuesday dear! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Tuesday Terry xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a hands-on learner myself, although I can muddle through something new with written/online instructions if I’m not interrupted. Great post to enlighten others!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kathryn, Gary is also a hands-on learner, and he can learn with all kinds of noise going on. My concentration is lost when interrupted and literally I have to start over again. Thanks for stopping by today. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a ‘hands on’ learner. I need to be shown and then allowed to do it myself. Sometimes I’ll have questions, but usually that’s enough. I don’t mind a bit of background music, but chaos? nope. And don’t micro-manage me. I hated nothing more than to have my supervisor (whom usually I’d trained anyway) hovering around nit-picking at my work. I can listen to a lecture and come away with most of what I’m supposed to know intact, but I admit to getting bored and usually any papers are covered with more doodles than notes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lectures are just too quick of me to take the notes I need for later. I do not remember by listening, I need written material in front of me that I can read over and over again. Thanks Embeecee, I appreciate your comment as always. 🙂
LikeLike
My OCD made me need to work in quiet and also a few extra hours to deal with the compulsive behavior. On tic that made me crazy was checking what was inside an envelope before sealing it. Sometimes I would do it 20 times. Medication has made that much better – yay for modern life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you know I understand the OCD thing! I can focus without the interruptions, but living in a small RV that is pretty much non-existent these days. I am trying to adjust, but it is difficult at times. Happy Tuesday Kerry. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Why don’t you go away for a weekend to one of the suite hotels? You can have a whole bedroom to yourself!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, yes a great idea. We actually have a separate bedroom in the RV, so not as bad as I make it to be. I manage, I just figure it is something else for me to learn. Thanks dear. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be nice to have a break somewhere fun, though? You could order in hotel food and watch a dirty movie…💋
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, you are cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a visual learner I think. Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet you are Jodi, and the visual art you create I can appreciate! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really interesting post Terry. I can absorb information by hearing it (I still vividly remember information from lectures I went to in my early twenties), but am better with the written word.
I only process and actually learn in a quiet place by myself. I think that writing and speaking are actually how I learn best. I used to think that writing was about recording what is already known, and I struggled to begin essays, reports, etc (irony: I’ve spent most of my working life as a copywriter). Now I’ve realised that I create meaning as I write, which means that I am constantly editing and re-editing and even short pieces take ages. I think that’s why I’m drawn to photography; it’s much quicker 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL, yes I agree photography is much quicker. I was amazed with myself with the level of difficulty at my last job and me being good at it. Those issues I had as a child, I still have, it is just now I know the best way for me to learn – as a child I did not know that. Thanks Su, I always appreciate your comments, hope all is well with you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like your job was good for you; you learned a lot about yourself and I’m sure that is helping you now. Things are pretty good here. I’ve become an obsessive butterfly foster parent (7 new hatchlings this morning), and I’m planning an indoor Easter since the rain looks like its arrived. Take care. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations on your new hatchlings! Have a Happy Easter. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post really got me thinking and as much as I have lots to comment I’m going to hold back because I think I may have too much to say! lol I did grab my daughter’s laptop and read the older posts you suggested plus a few more but then I realized that she was signed in as “Surprising Lives” so I didn’t want to confuse you more by commenting under that id! Nevertheless, very interesting and perhaps one day we can chat more about this topic. Amanda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amanda for reading the older posts and this one and your comment. I always appreciate both. Have a great day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I usually don’t mind having a circus going on around me, but I prefer quiet if I’m really trying to learn something.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You seem to have some flexibility, that would benefit all of us. Thanks Peggy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I inherited my fathers trait to block out all the surrounding noise…..I can be in my own little world no problem, can still do it to this day…LOL great post…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are just like Gary, he can block everything out – unlike me who is totally opposite. Thanks kat, hope you have a great week. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very interesting post, Terry! It´s funny: I used to be able to learn while listening to music when I was still at school, I even imagined, it helped me to learn better, but the older I get I prefer it to be quiet. I´m always amazed seeing people sitting in my local library, writing stuff on their computers, that´s a thing I do best at home. And I can totally understand why you got earlier to work – I always do/did that when possible too, it´s so much nicer and quieter then 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sarah, we are the same in many ways when it comes to learning. I appreciate you reading as always – Happy Day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy day to you too, Terry! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Terry! I learn best by reading. Thanks for sharing your struggles with us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Melinda for your comment. I appreciate you stopping by today to read and comment. Happy day my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Terry.
I had a wonderful day, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a hands on and a visual learner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many different ways to learn, but I am with you – I need to do it and visual. Thank you for stopping by today to read and comment. Hope you are having a great day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to study and read with either total quiet or some light background music. Some years back I had the option of attending classes prior to a professional certification or just reading the courses’ textbooks and then taking the tests. I opted for hitting the books in each instance and always will if presented with such an option in the future. Classes just don’t get it done for me in comparison to being able to isolate myself and pour through the material.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bruce, you and I are very much alike. Leave me alone with reading material and it is amazing how well I learn. I appreciate you stopping by today to catchup on reading my posts and hope all is well with you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a no noise please person too… my learning style has changed though… in jr high and high school- I would take all my books home beginning of the school year and read them cover to cover… throw them in the locker and pass every test… things like math just ‘clicked’ and if I saw something written down, or as a pic… it just stuck with me… now? Lol… I have to be able to immediately apply it… or a week from now? My brain is like ‘data dump time’. And I have to talk talk talk about it… exhausting. Lol. Oh and weirdest? I can only recall handwritten text. 🤔
I’m officially weird. Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is interesting how our learning changes as we grow. I can read something and remember it for quite some time, but in order to remember it, I need no noise and I need to read over and over again before it finally sinks into my brain. I doubt you are any weirder than me or anyone else. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person