The Cognitive Mode
Cognitive learning is the traditional and primary mode of learning in Western cultures, emphasizing the verbal and intellectual faculties. Clearly the cognitive learning mode is essential – we do need to communicate verbally and rely on our intellectual capacity for absorbing and processing information – but it’s also an insufficient means to meet the needs of today’s rapid change environment.

Extensive research on accelerated learning has shown that people learn faster, more comprehensively and retain the learning better when they are engaged holistically, on multiple levels at once, rather than just cognitively.

Multi-modal learning, expanding from the cognitive level into physical, emotional, and spiritual learning modes, increases flexibility, appreciation of diversity, group coherence and alignment. In the emerging collaborative, team-based environment of today’s workplace, multi-modal learning is a vital complement to the cognitive mode.