Origin of the Learning Pyramid

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Steve Eskow
Sent: 09 August 2005 16:07
To: Simon Polovina
Cc: Dawson, Lynne
Subject: RE: www.polovina.me.uk calling...

Dr. Polovina,

It's now clear that such research was NOT conducted at NTL, and that William Glasser did not write a book called The Learning Pyramid.

A number of people have tried to find the original research: to date no one has.

It seems increasingly clear that all these pyramids are variations of Dale's 1969 "Cone of Experience," which itself was not based on research.

As you indicate, the pyramid pleases us because it supports what we would like to believe is the truth.

I would be willing to bet that no research base for the pyramid will be uncovered.

Steve Eskow

-----Original Message-----
From: Simon Polovina
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2005 5:13 AM
To: Dr. Steve Eskow
Cc: Dawson, Lynne
Subject: RE: www.polovina.me.uk calling...

Dear Dr. Steve Eskow,

Thanks for your interest. I've never truly been able to get to the bottom of this. My colleague Lynne Dawson did conduct some extensive investigations, leading to my updated web page that you found. It seems to be such an effective model however - certainly in my teaching experience - that I'm very disinclined to ignore it.

It would be nice if someone did own up to it, as I say it certainly does appear to be valid! If I find out more I'll let you know. Likewise please do let me know if you do discover its actual origin.

Kind regards,

Simon

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Steve Eskow
Sent: 07 August 2005 04:58
To: Simon Polovina
Subject: www.polovina.me.uk calling...

Dr. Polovina,
 
On your web site you mention "The Learning Pyramid", and attribute it to research conducted at the National Training Labs in Bethel, Maine.
 
I have been unable to to find out if such research was ever conducted at NTL: indeed, it appears the research is a fiction.
 
Do you have any further information on this research: dates, names of investigators, title of research papers or books?
 
Dr. Steve Eskow

Simon Polovina
03 November 2006
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