Well, there's one inside joke shot to hell

Think You're An Auditory Or Visual Learner? Scientists Say It's Unlikely

We've all heard the theory that some students are visual learners, while others are auditory learners. And still other kids learn best when lessons involve movement.

But should teachers target instruction based on perceptions of students' strengths? Several psychologists say education could use some "evidence-based" teaching techniques, not unlike the way doctors try to use "evidence-based medicine."

Psychologist Dan Willingham at the University of Virginia, who studies how our brains learn, says teachers should not tailor instruction to different kinds of learners. He says we're on more equal footing than we may think when it comes to how our brains learn. And it's a mistake to assume students will respond and remember information better depending on how it's presented.

Thanks to PF Anderson, who retweeted a link from Ray Schroeder.

Longing for what could have been

So I'm about halfway through Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches. Although I'm enjoying the plot and the tension between the main characters (a witch and a vampire), I am finding that what truly appeals to me about it are the books, the history, the atmosphere of scholarship. Harkness is an historian, and she evokes the smell of old paper and older vellum when she describes the Bodelian Library, or the castle with its own special library and study, of books collected over the years of a vampire's life, of history lived.

I studied mediaeval history in college for eleven years. While I never did get the doctorate I'd hoped to pursue (my anxiety over oral defence being so great, for one), I took virtually every class offered by the university in classical, mediaeval, and early modern history, wrote countless papers, got good grades, and although there were some bumps along the way (my bipolar disorder was undiagnosed and unmedicated, my home life was deteriorating during the first part of my studies, and I went through a divorce), I learned a lot, although I was not a true scholar, really, so perhaps it is better that I am a caretaker of learning. But I miss studying. And although I do not need a degree or a university for that matter to learn, I miss academia at times. My life now, although enmeshed with books as a librarian, is much more pedestrian these days.

As I read tonight, I realised that a part of me is missing; I've lost it. My lifelong learning has taken me in lots of directions, but my grounding in history and languages has largely atrophied. I'm resolving to change that. Rather than coming home and just falling asleep, I want to learn. I want to review. I want to delve into the mysteries of the past beyond just watching a documentary or reading about other historians online. I've put together a good grounding in language, philosophy, and historic literature between my Kindle and my library. I will add to that, and haunt the library for more. I no longer want a career in academia; I don't want to jump through the hoops, etc. But I still want to learn. And now that I have some maturity, I think my understanding will be better. I am blessed with a best friend who is a scholar, is well read (much better than I, and I'm no slouch) and a much better thinker, so I have someone in my life to discuss scholarly pursuits with.

PS I was so into the book I tried to turn a page earlier rather than hit 'next page', despite the fact that I was using my Kindle. I totally forgot that I was reading an e-book. :)

But first, quizzes!

Strange, as I am a Diet Pepsi/Diet Sunkist kind of girl

You Are Coke

A true original and classic, you represent the best of everything you can offer. Just the right amount of sweet, just the right amount of energy... you're the life of the party. Your best soda match: Mountain Dew Stay away from:Dr Pepper

What Kind of Soda Are You?

Your Learning Style: Unconventional and Insightful

You are very intuitive and ingenious. You're attracted to any field of study that lets you break the rules. You Should Study: Art Art history Architecture Comparative religions Eastern religion Education Music Philosophy

What Should You Study?

You Are Impressionism

You think the world is quite beautiful, especially if you look at it in new and interesting ways. You tend to focus on color and movement in art. For you, seeing the big picture is much more important than recording every little detail. You can find inspiration anywhere... especially from nature.

What Art Movement Are You?

You Are Pumpkin Pie

You're the perfect combo of uniqueness and quality Those who like you are looking for something (someone!) special

What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Have Low Self Esteem 80% of the Time

You tend to blame yourself when things go wrong, regardless of whether it's your fault or not. You're anxious to please others and rely too much on their opinions. Learn to please yourself first, and your confidence will soar.

How is Your Self Esteem?