The Learning Styles Myth

Asking a trainer about learning styles is comparable to asking a fraternity/sorority advisor if they teach keg-tapping.  It’s a tempting idea, but it makes about as much sense as believing in bigfoot or tryptophan.  Like these examples, the myth is interesting and popular, but the evidence is elusive (Curry, 1990).“Although the literature on learning styles is enormous, very few studies have even used an experimental methodology capable of testing the validity of learning styles applied to education. Moreover, of those that did use an appropriate method, several found results that flatly contradict the popular meshing hypothesis” (Pashler, McDaniel, Rohrer, & Bjork, 2008, p. 105).

Doing More

It happened recently, the annual media prompt of “why do fraternities still exist."

Sinister? Ouch! That puts it in a different context…..Even some people in England hate the American concept of fraternities!

What will you do without them?

It’s that time of year again; spring has turned to summer, radio stations are playing Semisonic’s ‘Closing Time’ on repeat, and millions of students have graduated. We have high hopes for the Class of 2011 as they make their way into the world, but I can’t help but wonder…what will we do without them? The members of the Class of 2011 were our role models and leaders on campus. They knew the community, remembered the organization’s history and maintained a connection to alumni that other members could not. They served as our bridge between the new and old. They stepped in to take over when the Class of 2010 departed, but now they too leave a void.

Your Search Begins Now ...

As an undergraduate I had a very clear idea of how to plan for life after college: take the LSATS, create a killer resume, get set up with a great recruiter, do some networking and land the perfect job. During the fall semester of my senior year I discovered that, despite my best laid plans, life after college was going to be a little more difficult than I anticipated.

The Power of Ritual

Is ritual it just a formal, routine observance? Or does it have the power to create change? In some traditions, ritualistic ceremonies are believed to bring about a physical change in the natural world: dances bring rain, a community feast secures the next harvest, prayers bring safety, and various superstitions bring about good luck.

Credibility Lost?

I have a co-worker who can be difficult to work with. He’s not difficult in a bad way, but difficult in a way that makes you work harder to be better. He is very detail-oriented and wants to be overprepared for any scenario. Last week before a product presentation, we were reviewing all the equipment and information to make sure we had anything that our new clients might need. I hurriedly tried to reassure him that everything would be ok, but he insisted we double-check every last detail.

Go Big or Go Home

If you’ve ever played a serious game of euchre, you’ve heard this phrase. It means that someone played a powerful card right out of the gate, typically as a statement of confidence that they have a strong hand. Of course, there’s always a chance that this plan could backfire. Other players might have better cards, or you might make a mistake in how you play the hand. Still, this bold show of determination sends a message to other players that they should step up, pay attention, and bring their ‘A game.’