simulations and kinesthetics

[Guest guest]

We all know that some folks learn primarily through kinesthetic means.

You may also know that EVERYONE benefits from kinesthetic learning,

regardless of primary learning mode. Kinesthetic learning is learning

in motion or through activity. This is often limited in people's minds

to physical activity and especially practice of the exact activity one

must perform. As such, it has not been thought to play a major role in

herbal education. However, there is a broader definition and a newer

application of this idea that may apply. One is that learning through

activity includes mental activity. It is well known that subjects

that inherently involve problems as assignments are well learned if the

problems are done and not at all otherwise. Another is the use of

technology. I had suspected that the mere act of using one's hands

actively along with the mind would yield some distinct kinesthetic

benefits even if the activity was not directly related to the task at

hand. In other words, you don't need a keyboard to learn herbology,

but a series of interactive simulations, even if the only kinesthetic

aspect is keyboarding, have now been shown to produce very significant

learning gains in other fields. Including training in areas as

intangible as leadership. This lends support to Roger's contention

that simulations and games in his software seem to lead to dramatic

gains in understanding. While he has not studied this all formally, I

suspect that data would be the same in our field as others. Simulated

interactive games increase problem solving skills, the key skill of a

doctor. Additionally, the simulation games does not have to mimic

reality perfectly to serve its purpose. One of my colleagues objects

to such exercise as he believes (with no evidence but his own

stubbornness) that simulated experience teaches nothing. With all due

respect to this quite skilled clinician, the brain makes no distinction

whether a problem is real or imagined. the processes come into play

and they are honed as result. There is usually something to lose in

these games (for example, your job) so they have consequences, an

important facet of real life. Evidence in many fields bears out the

correctness of this statement. Pilots can typically make their initial

flight successfully with simulator training alone.

 

 

 

Chinese Herbs