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In my graduate school program we spent a lot of time learning about how
people process, retain and use information, which leads to the strategy of
chunking. The following principles were the basis for the strategy.
People can easily process and retain about 7 units of information at a time.
They retain a list of related concepts better than a list of unrelated
concepts.
They are more likely to remember the first and last items in a list.
Therefore, if you group the information you need to present according to
these principles, you have "chunked" your information. And your readers
have a better shot at remembering and using it.
Katy
(I wish I had a pithy quote here, but I don't. I'll work on it....)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: George E. Baker [SMTP:gebaker -at- NETNITCO -dot- NET]
> Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 1998 7:10 AM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: Chunking
>
> For those interested in the direct take on the chunking principle, look up
> the book "Mapping Hyptertext" by Robert E. Horne [ISBN 0-9625565-0-5].
> This
> book contains the principles, process, and framework for developing
> materials utilizing the chunking methodology.
>
> The book also lays out all the guidance and direction for properly
> "mapping
> and linking" materials, and documents within your materials. I recently
> finished 2 years working for a contractor at the Defense Finance Group
> upgrading and writing new materials. Everything the team developed was
> done
> utilizing the specifics of Information Mapping (r) and the chunking
> principles. Once you become accustomed to the procedures, it develops a
> flow throughout your documents. Once again, as other professionals have
> pointed out on here - it is just one more tool for you to use in creating
> quality materials.
>
> The book may be purchased from Information Mapping, Inc in Waltham, MA.
> If
> you would like a contact number, contact me off-service and I'll send it
> to
> you. Makes for good reference material.
>
>
> George Baker gebaker -at- netnitco -dot- net
>
> ~
>
