Mastery Gym's Future

The learning concept is best described by Edgar Dale with the Learning Cone.

Dale's Cone

Dale's Cone diagrams effectiveness of learning according to the media involved in learning experiences. The chart illustrates the results of research conducted by Edgar Dale in the 1960s. According to Dale's research, the least effective method, the top of the cone, involves learning from information presented through verbal symbols, i.e., listening to spoken words. The most effective method, the bottom of the cone, involves direct, purposeful learning experiences, such as hands-on or field experiences.

The original cone is attributed to Edgar Dale , 1949 and it indicates that we learn best when we are involved in “Direct, purposeful experiences.” In recent decades, a cone with percentages attached to styles of learning as been published with some frequency and variously attributed to Glasser, the National Laboratories in Bethel, Maine, and others. Potsdam University Professor Anthony Betrus, in a study begun three years ago, and continuing, is casting doubt on whether research can be documented in support of the cones which have appeared subsequent to Dale’s. While Dr. Betrus has been unable to establish that the subsequent cones, with percentages, is based on original research rather than presumed from Dale’s original, he has found that none of the attributed sources is willing, or able, to produce original research, except Dale.

 Whether the percentages are accurate, or not, research is conclusive that we learn best when we are actively engaged with new information and teaching others is an effective way to generate that engagement for students.

As it is explained above, the way to learn and improve is TO TEACH and participate in group activities.