Kinds of Learning
We're not all the same in how we learn. Some learn in the abstract; others are hands-on mechanical problem solvers. Howard Gardner proposed seven intelligence categories: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal (knowing ourselves).
Gardner's seminal book on this was
Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Basic Books, New York, 1983. He wrote four more books expanding this theme, and his concepts led to popular ideas on "emotional intelligence," and so on.
Most of us learn by all Gardner's "intelligences," but are stronger in some than others. Book learning, as in the educational world, tends to favor abstract learning as linguistic and mathematical-logical thinking, needed to be functionally literate. But there's much more, which leads to endless curriculum arguments and teaching methodology arguments.
And those who excel in one form of learning tend to discount those who don't. Sometimes we "don't suffer fools gladly."
And we may discount non-standard forms of learning by those who have not been through a similar experience.
A vigorous learning organization has to promote learning by various means. Everyone has to become very good at what they do, while being very aware of the context and purpose of their work.