Page 30 - Mind Games The Aging Brain and How to Keep it Healthy

The Learning Styles of an Agile Mind • 15

Photo courtesy of Winfield Leitzer

Older and Wiser

Glenn Austin, 77, learned about genealogy shortly before he
retired as Director of Contracts for a division of Martin Marietta
Corporation. Since then, to forward his avid interest, he has
learned how to use vital records and census records (visual), pay-
ing attention to different spellings of the same-sounding name
(auditory). He learned how to use the Family History Centers of
the Mormon church; immigration, naturalization, military, and
cemetery records; city directories; and many other information
sources (visual) and search strategies (kinesthetic).
He learned how to use a computer (kinesthetic) for searching
electronic bulletin board systems, e-mail, and the Web. He has met
new people (auditory) and shared information through queries (vi-
sual), which are special requests made by genealogical researchers
to each other.
Glenn finds the analysis of the data collected the most chal-
lenging element—a real-life detective activity.
Now he is able to apply his knowledge of computers to do new
things, such as word processing (kinesthetic) to help keep minutes
for his condominium board.
Glenn says, “Genealogy is the most fascinating thing I’ve ever
done!” He is growing new brain connections at a rapid rate!