The ActiveRain Stuff You Won't Find Anywhere Else on the Web

Brad, I just voted, and I guess we all learn so differently!  For me there's nothing like reading the book, blog or user's manual.

Brad I hate to mention it but a bit of your bottom is missing. ActiveRain / PollDaddy.com are still not co-operating fully...

I voted...

Brad, you gotta stop flashing us...... LOL  I voted. I just wish I could have voted for 2 things as I use them equally.  Can't wait to see the results!

Brad I would assume reading would dominate.  We have all chosen to read and write blogs, or we wouldn't be here. So your audience has self selected themselves as predominantly readers.

Brad,

Looks like most of us still vote for reading which suits me.

It looks like I am in the majority Brad ~ Reading is still numero uno for me!

Brad, I voted but I got a "connection failed" message so I don't know if it counts. 

Reading it is for me - I think that some peeps would be able to improve their knowledge base if they would subscribe to all of the Active Rain employee blogs.  That is how I always know what is happening here - I don't think some members even know who those blogs are. :)

Even though I could only vote for one way I also enjoy watching live webinars along with the videos Im a visual person and being able to interact is great.

I just may be in the minority but could move to the majority without a problem.

I will reblog this just to get the word out for ya.

Hi Brad...Great Widget. I see Reading is leading the Pack...my was watching video's.

Cheers, thanks for letting us voice ourselves.

Brad

Just voted, reading is the way to go.

Brad - I have absolutely no patience for videos, webinars, etc.  Read it!

Brad, I will definitely vote but it's tough choosing becaue I learn from several avenues available!

Brad, reading but for learning techy stuff, with the screen shot tutorials. They are perfect for me because they're static and I can go back to them for reference. That's me!

Sharon

Hi Brad,

I'm visual show me once I've got it.  Love  the idea of polling the community to see what will work and what idea's are better left shelved until the community is ready to soak it all up.  Saw your  update on Twitter before I saw it on Active Rain.

I looked forward to hearing the results of the poll.

Have to admit a classroom is better for me.  Many times my mind starts to drift when reading and I tend to lose focus with webinars...

Chanda panda

Brad-  I think I've learned more from the information I've read on AR, than anywhere else.  While just "doing it" may be the most effective way to learn, hands on classes move at someone else's pace and too often you miss the next point while you continue to work on a task or you never figure it out because you've moved forward with the class.

Brad: The polls are great.. Think this could be used in many ways..

Hi Brad - It was hard for me to pick just one, but of them all, I guess reading is the best for me.  I like to stop and think about what I'm learning while I'm learning it, and figuring out how I would apply this new knowledge in my business.  Then I might scribble out a few notes before reading on.  Can't "pause" a live seminar, although I do enjoy those too, and benefit from them.

Hi Brad!  I voted and looks as if Reading is the majority.  There is so much good info here on Active Rain, video's and webinar would be my last choice. 

Howdy there Brad

Polls can make a difference, but only if the ones taken the poll really listen them selves. As to what the folks taken the poll have to say. All taker's and not just a few.

I voted for Reading!

Folks do like to take some time to think about an area, before moven on to the next step of what they are learning.

P.S. Brad maybe you can tell me, why its not showing that, I'm over 300,000 in points here in the AR community. Under my photo.

Brad - while I chose webinars, it really depends on the information. Some things work best for me with one format, and others I can do just fine with a simpler presentation. Lots of different learning styles out there.

Jeff

I want to choose all of the above...learning in different ways for different things. Loved talking with you today!

Needed  achoice for read AND do.  I have to do it to learn it.  If I just read it or see it, it is gone...

Interesting--I would have thought that more people learned by observing!  I love to read but, as they used to say in the operating room--see one, do one, teach one!  (Pretty scary isn't it)?!

Hi Brad, What is the source for the polling source. It would be cool to be able to make up our polls for our blogs. I had seen an agent do this once a long time ago but I didn't ask the source so we could create them. Thanks again Brad for your fantastic comments on my post today, I am working my way down through the comments for a reply to you. But just know that I really appreciated it , A LOT.

Brad:  Of course we all learn differently.  For me, out of the choices you gave, either a video tutorial that skips NO steps and assumes nothing, or being walked through it... step by step.

@ Dale:  I just asked the same question about going over 300,000 points, and was told that the little icon will go from 200,000 to 300,000 automatically, but it takes a while for it to catch up with things.

I am with Jeff above - it depends on the information. But most of my learning still comes from reading/blogs. However I am very visual so graphs, and other pertinent pics help. Some info is easier to digest by watching a video (like learning Photoshop etc.) ~Rita

It depends on the topic. I could learn 'how to take better digital photos' best in a hands-on class. For optimizing the photos, I would prefer a series of video tutorials with lots of screenshots. Reading and blogs would be my first choice for learning how to use photos effectively online.

Watching video tutorials. . I can see them at my leisure

Brad, I'm not sure if my vote registered.  For several minutes, my browser said it was transferring data (e.g. from faslh.quantserve.com) but nothing seemed to happen.

The best learning technique for me depends on the subject matter.  For many topics, reading works best.

I'm a hands on gal.

Hi Brad,

I voted but there is a twist to my vote.  I learn BEST by going to a classroom setting.  But I ENJOY learning best reading.  hmmmm

Hi Brad,

Voted for reading, that is my learning method, but I use the other forms also. Just keep it all coming!

Thanks

I did my part along with my very first "reblog".

Brad, I voted for reading books and blogs, but I also like video if it isn't dragged out too long.

Hi Brad: I just voted - keep up the good work!

:)

I love to read and blog, but watching video tutorials is best for me.

 I hope you post what the results are. Studies have shown we learn best by reinforcing using more than one medium.

I like being able to learn on my own schedule, so maybe a library of webinar type classes might fill my needs.

Do you have a library of past webinars?

I voted but how about an all of the above?  I do webinars, read blogs, read books, go to Inman News, share in mastermind groups, and observe life around me.  

I'm a hands on person that likes to observe.  Next would be a webinar.  For me reading is the worst way to learn. 

Just voted on hands on and then realized that "easiet"  really is blogging and reading because dont' have go anywhere to do it - oops, consider my vote changed.

Oops Brad, you didn't have my answer in your poll. The easiest way for me to learn is DOING!!!

It will be very interesting when all the votes are in.

I'm one of those people with "directions phobia" - I'd rather use trial and error than read directions.  (Thank goodness my husband actually likes to read directions.  I just give them to him and then he shows me how.) 

The most effective learning method online for me has been Jeff Turner tutorials.  They are very very clear (shall I say "very" one more time) and I can stop them, do each step he describes, and then continue the video - repeating the process til it's complete.  'Wish he'd do more of them!  (Hint, hint... and I can propose a list of topics.  LOL)

Brad -- I voted --- I'm a hands on --- the results are very interesting. Thanks.

Goodness. Did you think that there were any other options? Reading is the way to go, Brad. As a teacher, I struggle with students who don't "get" the concepts I'm teaching them because they won't read, or can't read very well.

Brad,

Since a small boy I have found that pictures & video's help me learn best. Short blogs work, but the 78 paragraph scientific flexing of ones inner thoughts make me fall asleep and day dream of everything else. Sorta like those boring college professors. I prefer the change in tone, screaming, kinda like a wicked preacher.

Can I get an Amen?!

I have to agree with Gary. But I realize your poll is in reference to the world of blogging and Web 2.0.  I must say, I did not believe what I've been hearing... that more people prefer video. I've been doing the YouTube thing for almost 3 years, and I personally can only watch videos on one computer while doing other work on my other computer. So if I'm blogging and working, I need to read, not watch a video of what I'm learning. A business blog is not going to work, when I already have a video, TV or movie playing on my laptop, which is parked right beside my desktop monitor.

Although I voted, I think 'it depends', and that choice isn't there. :)

For some things, I'd like to watch or be shown, step by step ... for other things, I'm fine reading.  I'm not sure watching a video would do it for me.  I like to be able to ask questions if something isn't clear.

Wow, Rockstar! 

You've been extra busy publishing everything we need to know in The Rain!!  Today's email was pretty cool ... loved the video.  Thanks for all the blogs, tutorials, and everything else you do for the AR community.

I'd much rather read something than watch a video ... but I realize if someone has information to share, it is much easier on their side to create a video, than to write it all out.....

Hi Brad,

I'm with Gary. I"m a "hands-on" guy; that's how I learn best.

Well it's obvious that the effort here is to try and find the most efficient and effective ways to help members with learning some of the ActiveRain tools and services that are available.  Thanks for taking a second to help us figure out what that is and how you like it. 

It's no surprise that reading takes the lead as most who Blog also prefer reading.  Creating tutorials that are helpful is the goal whether by Blog, video, podcast, webinar etc.  It really helps knowing this information so again, thank you.

I also want to thank these folks for reblogging this post to get this message out there and viral.  You guys rock!

I voted Webinars, although reading is fun-damental.  During the Webinars, I have the opportunity to ask questions and get answers right away.

Bet if the live Webinars had more attendees, the votes would be different!

Results so far after 110 votes

Well, very interesting.  I'm not normally in the majority of anything, but I seem to be here.

Books and blogs are my method of choice for learning.

I love the voting widget Brad.

Well done, as always, my friend!

Craig - it's a PollDaddy.com widget.  Thanks for voting~  :-)

Yes, I saw that it's a Poll Daddy widget.

I actually created one for a future post here in the Rain!

I like simply reading most material, but for technical stuff I prefer a live human to be able to interact with and ask question (that also can work in a webinar) The key is a good instructor. Interesting poll. Thanks!

Brad - I like the ability to interact and ask questions, so I first answered hands on classes.  Then I also voted for watching video tutorials.  If I can see it be done, I can also learn, but reading something out of a book is hard for me to visualize.