The success of one’s learning is often contingent upon an understanding of learning styles. Much has been written on the subject. There is a simple exercise that can assist anyone interested in understanding the basics of communication skills and learning styles. The concept of the principle “Maps vs. Words” helps one to understand not only their own personal tendencies, but also the methods of dealing with other people and how we process information. This is not a left brain, right brain reiteration. The exercise differentiates our ability to understand the concept.

     If you needed written directions to arrive at a destination, would you prefer a map drawing or written text? Almost every person will have a strong preference for one or the other. Imagine a line where maps are at one end and words are at the other end. Place a mark along the scale to indicate the degree to which you would prefer information to be presented. It isn’t that we are unable to use a map if we prefer words or that we’ll be lost using text if we would rather use a map, but there seems to be a 50-50 split between people’s ease of use of both forms. It is ideal, therefore, to learn from a source that matches our best comprehension styles. 

     A friend , an owner of a pizza shop, employed drivers to deliver pizzas for two stores that he managed. My friend’s problem was that he had one particular driver that would get lost on multiple deliveries during an evening. The owner felt that he clearly explained to the driver exactly where to go and on multiple occasions would either draw a map outlining the route or show him on the store map how to get to the destination. But each time when the person left he would get lost or take an extremely long time to get the pizza to the destination. Once I explained the concept of maps versus words, my friend began writing words on paper for his delivery person. Eureka! The pizzas were getting to where they needed to go, all because the instructor understood the method in which the receiver was best able to process information.

     This concept goes beyond the literal use of a map. When you were in school, I’m sure you noticed that some students had great respect for and learned a lot from particular teachers, while other students performed poorly, and didn’t “have much use for” those same teachers. Chances are, the reason went back to “Maps versus Words”.

     In order to learn effectively, you must either seek out teachers who speak your language, or learn to decode their messages to suit your own style. It is a good teacher who understands that in the context of teaching they must travel between Maps and Words to communicate effectively with each student. In today’s world, the environment could be a web site or a one-room schoolhouse. Regardless of whether you are a “maps” person or a “words” person, you can understand information via both methods. We can at least ascertain that more of the lesson will be learned if you see eye to eye on the method of instruction-either maps or words. I do not believe that there is anybody who is completely either maps or words. We all fall within a spectrum, tending to favor one over the other.

     Your objectives are to go out and find the teachers who best suit you and to use this information to work more effectively with those who don’t.
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David & Lorrie Goldsmith are founders of the Syracuse based MetaMatrix Consulting Group Inc. Their firm specializes in consulting and speaking services. They can be reached at 315-476-0510  888-777-8857 or emailed at dgoldsmith@davidgoldsmith.com

 

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