Respect Differences in Learning Styles

Individuals use a variety of mental structures for organizing new material. None are strictly linear. Despite certain socializations toward linear, step-by-step presentations (especially in males), it appears that nonlinear, "circling" approaches to a subject are a much closer mirror of actual mental processing (regardless of gender). It is important, therefore, to provide readers with a variety of different approaches to understanding. Presentations should make connections through several routes, while leaving the reader freedom to form mental structures that make sense to them. Practically, multiple branching in interactive texts provides readers with an opportunity to find their own path.