Learning
Learning by overt trial and error can be demonstrated by gradual improvements in the perceivable effects in visual patterns. Within ACL 5.0, the improved effects are limited to the visual patterns that capture their attention.
To use information again, it must be stored in long-term memory. Selected information has an emotional component, which supports the idea that learning may be supported by positive experiences.
The pattern and materials limit the number of cause and effect connections and images that can be compared and evaluated while doing the activity. The limited number of materials and designs seems to be appreciated by the person who is functioning within ACL 5.0, but viewed as restrictive when the same person is functioning within ACL 5.2.
Within ACL 5.0, observations of learning content are limited to the materials they were using. From one day to the next, doing the same activity, what they learned the day before is remembered. Repeated drilling and rote learning are not required.
Visual Patterns
Visual patterns are orderly arrangements of pieces into whole designs. The parts are placed or colored, one piece at a time, into the whole picture, pattern, or project. A mental image of the whole is retained in memory while the person pays attention to the pieces. The length of time that an image is retained in memory can probably be measured by how often the person refers to the sample of the whole design. Within ACL 5.0, many people look at the sample at the beginning and the end, but not while working on a project.
The definition of a visual pattern is driving me nuts for several reasons. The quality of the pattern is in between simple (ACL 4) and complex (ACL 6). The format of patterns drawn for children aged 6 to 9 is about right, but the cartoons are childish and might insult adults. The relationship between parts and the whole is affected by the materials used.
The criteria for patterns / designs / pictures have a few similarities that work most of the time:
- Realistic representations of a familiar content, i.e. a vase with roses.
- A defined focal point in the middle, i.e. a house with a few trees.
- No background clutter to distract attention, i.e. a house located in town.
- Tiny spaces that take hours to fill in are apt to be rejected at a glance, i.e. adult coloring books.
Pictures to color with crayons, watercolor, paint by number, or paint with tempera or acrylic need to provide:
- Landscapes limited to three to five focal objects with simple backgrounds.
- Arrangements in rows that include 8 to 10 objects with the same subject, i.e. birds.
- Outlines with most spaces between the lines being ¼ to ½ inch (½ to 1 cm).
- The mandalas and repetitive geometric patterns with the fewest lines, usually drawn for children and not adults, can attract and sustain their attention.
Mosaic designs can be filled in with ceramic tiles, seeds, beans, rice, grains, pasta, fabrics, ribbons and paper, but any cutting will need to be done by someone else. The designs need to:
- Be traceable and placed in the middle of a firm supporting surface, e.g. wood, Masonite, plastic.
- Contain spaces wide enough to fit 20 to 30 pieces into, but not a lot more.
- Portray one object, e.g. a rose, rooster, lighthouse.
Weaving and sewing offer visual order with spacing patterns that capture attention within ACL 5.0, as long as the spaces are on flat surfaces:
- Weaving over and under is limited to the classic tabby weave on a solid background with slits to weave through. Ribbons have been used to replace thread because the width is quick and can be completed within their attention span. Improving the adjustments of the ribbons to form a straight line and fit into a limited space improves within ACL 5.0 while making the ribbon card.
- The backing for weaving can include paper, burlap or felt.
- The weaving material can include ribbons of different widths, rug roving or fabric strips.
- Attention is drawn to hand sewing stitches with even space between the whip stitch and the buttonhole stitch, which are evenly spaced in ACL 5.0.
- Because felt is inexpensive and does not require turning the seams under, two pieces with stuffing can be sewn together to make potholders and toys.
- Patterns can be found in the simple coloring designs for young children. Trace or copy the single object drawings of fruits, vegetables, animals, dolls, etc.
An effective visual pattern should capture and hold the person's attention for at least 10 minutes. A failure is obvious; the person zipped right through it while on automatic pilot or rejected the thing at a glance. A good pattern can also fail when it is matched with the wrong supplies.