The Learning Pathway

Examples
Following are two examples of mastering the complex through the mastery of its simpler parts. The first one focuses on my Wiring Diagram Color-Coding system. I selected it for this article because the process of developing it for a seminar sparked a higher level of self and learning awareness that resulted in the second example…and then to this article.

Wiring Diagram Color-Coding
Basically, Color-Coding is the process of using colors to mark the expected voltage conditions of a circuit. Originally, I developed Color-Coding because of a need for efficiency. When I decided to add it as a subject in my seminar, I knew I needed to have a high level of understanding of wiring diagrams, the process of color-coding, and learning.

Without planning it, I did what came natural. I took out my wrenches and took things apart. Just as I would an engine rebuild.

I did a tear down of every diagram I could find. I took them down to sub systems, then to circuits, and then to components and back together again.

Keeping it short…with each step, I looked for similarities, and within the similarities, I looked for the lowest common denominators. It is within this simplicity that I found the “connector” between wiring diagrams, circuits, Color-Coding and learning. The result is what I call the Color-Code Legend and the process of teaching Color-Coding.

The Color-Code Legend depicts the circuit “must haves” in the simplest form. The teaching method is fundamentally based on a visual process of assembly.

1. Teach the simple “must have” relationships, circuit patterns, states and conditions.
2. Show how to find these simple “must haves” within the complexity of the diagram and identify them with colors.

As a result, it becomes easy to see how the complexity of the diagram is made up of simple patterns. In effect, the variables of the diagram are visually organized and a foundational familiarity is established. This then becomes the foundation for focusing on the processes and strategies of the system

The Golden Outline of Systems
All of my learning experiences, especially as related to my seminars, led to purposely getting out the wrenches to tear down and rebuild the concept of a system.

In this case, once the system components and dynamics were identified, reassembly took place on paper with each element represented as labeled blocks.

Using a graphical representation made it more “hands-on”, consequently, making it easier to experiment with how the component blocks fit together. The result is the concept of a system displayed as an assembly that I have named: The Golden Outline of Systems.

The visual format of the Golden Outline helps to strengthen the “system” concept. Also, the ability to see the system dynamics as components and to see their relationship to each other opens up new applications:

• Add these words, “What are the…”, in front of each label starting with “rules” and work your way up. How often can these simple questions be used in a diagnosis?
• Compare the Golden Outline to the process of Wiring Diagram Color-Coding, reverse engineering, or from turning the key to a running engine.
• Reread the “Making the Connection” section of this article.
• From a vehicle owner’s perspective: The customer cares about two things, the stimulus and the outcome. The rest is left to you!

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