[TheForge] dyslexia OT -- was books

Sun May 31 06:50:14 EDT 2009

It was good that educators recognized dyslexia for what it was, rather
than continuing to call kids stupid.

That said, "dyslexic" itself has become a label that may hinder rather
than help.

What everybody should know and keep in mind is that the human brain is
not a computer, but a complex assemblage of active centers each of
which is slightly computer-like and each of which as a particular
function.  Even that is a gross oversimplification, but it helps
understanding.  A person can have a stroke and completely lose the
ability to speak without it affecting his intelligence or ability to
learn one whit.  So if a person's reading ability is not strong, he
can and will learn by some other means.

In my case, my reading ability is excellent.  I read faster than many
people, though it doesn't feel fast to me.  Reading is my preferred
mode of learning.

My father apparently was not this way at all.  He would read a book
into a tape recorder and play it back to learn it.  It worked well for
him and he encouraged me to do so too.  But it never worked for me.
If a person gives me oral instructions, the first thing I do is write
them down so I can learn them.  Once I write them down, I may never
have look at my notes - the memory is complete.

Demonstrations and videos may or may not be good learning tools for
me.  I think they're intermediate between reading and hearing.

My point is that it is not profitable to label oneself "dyslexic" or
anything else.  Rather, figure out how you best learn, then see to it
that you get your instruction in that manner - or modify the
instruction so that it works for you (like taking notes or recording a
book).

On Sat, May 30, 2009 at 9:01 PM, David E. Smucker
<davesmucker at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Interesting James,
>
> dyslexia -- can be a blessing rather than a limitation.  Some of us who are
> dyslexic turn out to be very good at design, often able to see things in 3 -
> D and see patterns in things with ease.  We just can't spell worth a damn.
> It is also the case that learning to read comes hard but we are great at
> math.  When we do learn to read we are very good at it and very fast with
> high comprehension.  (Because we learn to do it by pattern reconnection, not
> sounding out of words.)
>
> Some, never like to read, and are much better seeing things as in a video --
> that is the visual and pattern part of it.
>
> Not to worry, as my British friends say, matters now how we learn, but that
> we learn.
>
> Dave
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Cindy and James" <jallcorn at suddenlink.net>
> Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 8:11 PM
> To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [TheForge] books
>
>> for me, the biggest problem is DESIGN.  I/we don't to small things, and
>> only do projects we want to do (we turn down a number of things every
>> year).  I can learn faster/better by watching a video or DVD or a demo
>> that is live than I can by reading a book.  I think I am somewhat
>> dyslexic or something like that.  I won't say what my wife says... :-)
>>
>> The Machinery's handbook is great for reference, I have an old copy but
>> rarely use it because I just don't use a lot of that stuff.  However,
>> when it is needed, it is worth it's weight in gold, so to speak.
>>
>> As far as design goes, I rely on my wife who is quite accomplished as an
>> artist and designer.  SHE uses the Dover books, absolutely devours them
>> looking for inspiration for certain clients.  Spanish, Italian, French,
>> English, Art Deco, Prairie, Art Nouveau, Craftsman, you name it, she has
>> a copy of it.  But they are mostly illustrations of things past, the old
>> master's work.  Plus she subscribes to dozens of high end design
>> magazines and is always tearing pages out to keep.  She won't let me
>> throw any of them away.
>>
>> If I were going to outfit a library for this craft, I would do it with a
>> few selected books on the craft, the absolute master's books, and in my
>> opinion there are only a few of the Old Masters; a collection of Dover
>> books, the aforementioned Machinery's HB; and a collection of good DVD's
>> of renowned smiths demoing and talking about the work they do... Hofi,
>> Tom Clark, etc.  Trouble with the DVD's is the poor quality of the
>> recording (audio) and/or the video on lots of these DVD's.  I bought
>> several from the BAM group and am just now getting around to watching
>> them.  Most are pretty good on the video but so far the audio part is
>> horrible on some.  Just can't hear what is being said, but they were
>> fairly inexpensive.  Just bought 1/2 dozen of the NOMMA DVD's, mostly
>> well worth the money and NOT cheap.
>>
>> James
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> TheForge mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> TheForge mail list group photo site is
>> http://www.photoaccess.com
>> Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>> Password: anvil
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> TheForge mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net
>
> TheForge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.photoaccess.com
> Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> Password: anvil
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

-- 
Bruce
NJ

The total lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working.