This past week I saw several variations on a “Mashup of Dale’s Cone with Bogus Numbers” posted on Social Media. Variations – were in the graphics used.

What was most interesting was how the “posters” reacted when they were invariably called out for posting this disputed mashup.

One acknowledged and amended their post – while two others deflected the criticism and refocused on narrow aspects of truth in the “mix of the message” of their post, in defense of their reputations, I guess.

Which response served them well, and which did not?

I posted about this “Mashup of Dale’s Cone with Bogus Numbers” back in 2015, referencing a Blog Post I had seen from Will Thalheimer. My post is here. And I have tried to help others see that this was not true, many times over the years.

My history of attempting to point out myths prevalent in the profession, go back to this quarterly newsletter from the Summer of 2001 – on page 25 – here – when I asked Dr. Sigmund Tobias of Fordham University – to address Learning Styles.

(Sorry for the formatting issues in the PDF for this newsletter, as I had lost the better-formatted version years ago.)

I, myself, also addressed Learning Styles back in 2011 in this article eLearning Magazine – here.

Others in my network often get involved in trying to point out/correct “untrue myths” online – and it’s not because we want to – as it sometimes creates a back and forth communications volley that we’d rather not be engaged in – as, quite frankly – as just it takes too much time and energy that could/should be devoted to pursuits with greater returns.

But we persist, nonetheless.

Why?

For me, it comes down to this…

Past Post from 2011:

What Responsibility Do We Learning Professionals Have To Each Other?

A popular phrase is “It Takes a Village.” We, in the broad profession of Learning/ Training/ Knowledge Management, are in a Professional Community. Where the actions and statements of one sometimes impact all others – sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad  – of all.

The Internet enables us to help and hinder each other – in our own professional development. My question is: what responsibility do we Learning Professionals have to each other? None, some, or a lot? Are we our Sisters’ and Brothers’ Keepers?

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For the rest of that post from 2011 – please go here.

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