Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Design > Voices That Matter

InterACT with Web Standards: Learning from the Web

Much like anything, learning effectively on the Web requires a skill set that goes beyond constructing a solid keyword search in Google. Denise R. Jacobs shows you how to identify your learning style, introduces you to useful online tools, and explains the best ways to collaborate, share, and find inspiration.
This chapter is from the book

by Denise Jacobs

Starting with teaching herself HTML in 1996, Denise R. Jacobs has worked with the Web in a range of capacities, from localization project management to instructing web design/development. At present, Denise is a Web Solutions Consultant in Miami, Florida, helping businesses transform their web presence. In addition to writing about the Web, she develops curricula for The Web Standards Project (WaSP) Education Task Force and is an organizing member of Social Media Club South Florida.

http://www.denisejacobs.com

http://www.cssdetectiveguide.com

http://www.papilloneffect.com

http://twitter.com/denisejacobs

Just because you use a tool every day doesn’t necessarily mean that you are using it well—especially if you’ve never learned what using it well means. This is certainly true with computers, as there are countless people who use computers daily but only to the degree of their limited knowledge. The same can be said for the Web, as many—even the generations who became familiar with computers before they were familiar with books—probably don’t use the Web and the vast numbers of useful tools contained therein to their fullest extent.

This chapter aims to provide a guide to using the Web better in order to more efficiently find the answers to your own questions, locate new sources of information and retain said new information. Further, we will look at good reasons and venues for getting help, knowing how to participate online, making and maintaining connections, organizing the information found, organizing yourself and expanding your learning through working with others.

About learning

My guess is that if you have started down the path to becoming a web professional, then you are no stranger to learning. However, there is taking in information, and then there is learning. What’s the difference? I see learning as an enjoyable process, where you actively seek the information that you need, find great sources, and easily incorporate the new knowledge into your current reserve of information, where it has staying power. Unfortunately, so much of what is passed off as learning—such as cramming information that doesn’t interest us into our heads to be able to pass a test or engaging in academic activities that don’t truly interest us and make us want to acquire more knowledge—doesn’t fit that profile.

In my opinion, real learning is pleasurable, and at the core of true learning is following and feeding your natural curiosity and being hungry for more. Being passionate and deeply interested in the subjects where you increase your knowledge will not only give you the capacity to learn more about them, but to have a great time while doing so.

Know your learning style

Knowing how you learn best ensures that you will be able to retain and easily access whatever information you attain—while also enjoying the process. Embarking on an endeavor such as acquiring new skills for a new profession or hobby takes initiative, and is made a lot easier if you know how gather the information for yourself so that you can best absorb it.

Let’s take a look at the most basic learning styles, and see which one(s) sounds most like you.

Visual and written learners

Do you find yourself wanting to sit at the very front of the room so you don’t miss anything? Do you get a lot from printed text, diagrams, and handouts? Do you tend to think in pictures? Congratulations, you are a visual learner.

Chances are that you remember what things look like and potentially where they are located on the page. You probably also like to take detailed notes, make annotations and write your ideas out to clarify them.

So how do you make this learning style work for you? Here are some suggestions:

  • Visualize information that you hear into representative pictures or text.
  • Sketch out your ideas as pictures or diagrams.
  • Take copious notes and use color to highlight points.
  • Read and study in a place with no sound distractions.

Auditory learners

Do you remember what has been said to you, often verbatim? Are you less concerned with where you sit in a classroom, as long as you can hear what is being said? Do you process your thoughts by talking them through, and gain a lot of understanding from discussions? If that sounds like you, then you are an auditory learner.

You probably don’t get as much from written text unless it’s read to you, and probably love books on tape. You may also be musically inclined and have a good ear for tone, pitch, and key.

So how do you make this learning style work for you? Here are some suggestions:

  • Take an active part in discussions and organize opportunities for talking about the subject.
  • Record classes or get audio or video recordings of lectures.
  • Read text aloud so that you can hear it.
  • Express your ideas verbally and accentuate with stories and analogies.

Kinesthetic learners

Do you find it hard to sit still for very long? When in a classroom, are you wishing that everyone would stop reading and talking about subjects and actually do something? Do you get easily distracted by movement and gesture while you talk? These qualities mean that you are a kinesthetic learner who learns best through doing, movement and touch.

You may be prone to tapping a foot while sitting down and to being physically active. If someone shows you how to do something once, you have no problem repeating it, and then probably improving upon it.

So how do you make this learning style work best for you?

  • Skim through readings once before reading them again in detail.
  • Read or study standing up, while doing something physical (like on an exercise machine), or while chewing gum.
  • Do something with your hands while learning (like sculpt something, fold paper, etc.).
  • Take study breaks where you move around.

Once you know how you learn best, you will have a better idea of the types of sources that you will get the most value out of when looking for information on the Web. However, your learning style is not the only thing that determines how well you take in information. Our brains are naturally wired to learn better when we are engaged, relaxed, when more of our senses are stimulated, and when we follow our natural urge to explore.

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020