>> Learning Mats

> Starting in the '90s, I began working on learning mats (also referred to as 'learning maps'). Root Learning pioneered learning map technology and I worked on a multitude of map projects.

Above is a recent mat I concepted and rendered for switchyardmedia.com in Seattle (Used by permission). Click here for larger version.

The mats at left are just a few I have concepted and rendered. Type has been left off of some, and they are shown intentionally small in order to protect the privacy of the clients. I can show larger examples via email.

Kinds of mats

1. Process mat: Describes specific procedures or job tasks that a company wants to put in place in order to improve product output. This is a problem solving mat and is particularly useful when employees have been assigning blame to different departments. When employees are compartmentalized, they often have a harder time understanding the solution and the process mat is important as a teaching aid.

2. Big picture mat: Shows a systems-level portrait of the company. Where it was, where it is and where it wants to be as well as competitive forces, changing environment and so forth. These kinds of mats are rich with charts and milestones and shows how the company has overcome obstacles. Related to the history mat, but goes further--it is an all-encompassing mat.

3. Money mat: Illustrates the flow and leaks in a particular company's finances. These mats usually use a water flow metaphor. This kind of mat would show where the money comes from (customers), leakage and how to stop it as well as how to optimize the flow of profit.

4. People/Diversity mat: Portrays a company's employees and focuses on how to help them all align to company policies and teach appropriate behavior in a positive way. It can also show company hierarchy, departments and how they work together.

5. Strategy mat: Develops a line of sight within the company in order to create alignment to execute a strategy. Whereas the process mat deals with a specific problem, this mat summarizes a general plan that helps bring about success to the company.

6. Merger mat: Shows a company merger, why it is occurring and the expected results as well as problems that can be expected.

7. History mat: Sometimes as large as a mural, it instills a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose to employees. They feel they are a part of something big and important when they know the company's history. It's important to know where you've been to make where you're going more meaningful. This mat simply describes the company's origins as well as how it fits into historical and current trends. Sometimes these mats also predict the future.

8. Humor mat: This mat has rarely been done, but it can be a compilation of various employees and the mat pokes fun at them in a light-hearted way. Sometimes done for a specific employee, it shows funny anecdotes and humorous peccadilloes. It's usually presented as a giant greeting card or gift at retirement or other special occasion. These mats are usually cheaper and sometimes output smaller than the others. Laughter and humor are an essential part of any workplace.

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One of the earliest educators to combine images with words was Comenius. In 1657, a textbook using Comenius' teaching was published. Orbis Sensualium Pictus successfully applied illustration with teaching. Click here to see the first illustrated textbook for children. Comenius can be called the father of learning visuals. He discovered that the efficacy of learning increased when words were combined with pictures.