I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying Digital Tonto!

Probably the best source I can give you is Synaptic Self by Joseph Ledoux. It’s a bit hard to get through, but highly worth it.

Good luck!

- Greg

I’ve recently discovered you blog. Lots of great stuff. Besides the blog posts themselves I really like the references you use to back up what you are saying. I am working on an article on elearning, learning and “learning styles” and really like how you describe “How We Learn”, especially this part:

“Moreover, when a new event is paired with something more familiar, synapses are built up faster and more easily. Chemically speaking, the new memory just hitches a ride on the old one, which makes learning by association effective”.

The whole section on “How We Learn” makes sense to me on a many levels, but do you have any references to anything proving that what you are saying is scientifically true? I don’t doubt it is – just need backup:-)

Cheers
Tomas Lund

Ps. we need not have a discussion on “learning styles” – I don’t believe in them:-)

Thanks. That’s a really interesting study.

- Greg

Several years ago there was a study where two groups watched an identical slide presentation; one with a strongly emotional context, the other with no emotion at all. One week later, both groups were brought back for a surprise quiz and the group watching the emotional presentation out-scored the other by a factor of (I believe) 2-to-1.

Here’s what was interesting: They redid the experiment except that the group watching the emotional content were given Beta-blockers which inhibited the production of adrenaline (which the brain secretes when in an emotional state). The result: This time the group watching the emotional content scored the the same as the with non-emotional group.

In my business (training/events) keeping the audience/trainees in an engaged emotional state is absolutely critical to our (and our client’s) success.

Thanks. I’ve hear good things about the book, but haven’t had the chance to read it yet.

- Greg

Another good book on the subject is “How We Decide”

http://www.amazon.com/How-We-Decide-Jonah-Lehrer/dp/0618620117

Thinking of my littl boy, I am sure my first major fright would be his well being, then concern for my arm’s well being and then the scoldings, etc etc .

How all this and the effects of advertising on my buying trends works out, I gotta think some more.

Sam

Thanks. You have a happy holiday as well.

- Greg

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ll check them out.

- Greg