Learning Cone: How Can We Remember Information Better and Turn Learning into a Real Experience
That Effectively Serves Your Career Path?

1- What is the Cone of Learning?

The Cone of Learning is one of the most well-known models in the fields of education, training, and human development, because it illustrates that the way we learn is just as important as the content we learn. Not all learning methods are equally effective at reinforcing knowledge, as the degree of understanding, information retention, and ability to apply knowledge varies depending on the learner's level of participation in the learning process.

This model is based on a simple yet profound idea: learning becomes more effective as a person moves from the role of a passive recipient to that of an active participant. Simply reading or hearing information does not produce the same level of understanding that occurs when a person discusses what they have learned, applies it practically, or explains it to someone else.

True learning does not occur when information merely reaches the mind, but when the mind uses it for understanding, application, and problem-solving.

The Cone of Learning presents a range of learning methods arranged from the least interactive to the most interactive, illustrating that increased learner participation generally leads to better learning quality, easier retrieval of information, and the transformation of knowledge into practical skills that can be used in everyday life.

It is important to note that the primary purpose of the model is not to establish precise information-retention percentages, but to illustrate an important educational principle: active learning generally leads to deeper understanding than passive learning.

For this reason, this model is used in curriculum design, training programs, workshops, and modern learning environments, because it helps teachers, trainers, and learners choose educational methods that have a greater impact rather than relying on a single approach.

- Important scientific note:

Percentages such as 10% for reading, 20% for listening, and 90% for practical application are commonly associated with the Cone of Learning. Although these figures are widely circulated in books and training courses, they are not supported by reliable scientific research establishing their accuracy.

The original idea comes from the Cone of Experience introduced by educationalist Edgar Dale in 1946. His purpose was to organize educational experiences from the most abstract to the most concrete, but he did not assign any percentages to information retention.

Over time, these percentages were added to the model without strong scientific evidence supporting them. However, much of modern cognitive psychology supports the model's general principle: active learning, meaningful participation, and practical application generally lead to deeper learning than relying solely on reading or listening.

The true value of the Cone of Learning is not in the numbers, but in the message it conveys: active participation makes learning deeper and more lasting.

- Why is this model important?

This model helps change the traditional view of learning by showing that success does not depend only on the number of hours a person spends studying, but also on how those hours are used. A person may spend long hours reading without remembering much a few days later, while another person may spend less time but discuss, apply, and explain what they have learned, allowing them to retain it for longer and use it more effectively.

- The core idea of the model:

Learning does not become deep because of the amount of information a person receives, but because of the amount of interaction that occurs between the person and that information. The more actively a person participates in thinking, discussion, application, and problem-solving, the more firmly the learning becomes established, transforming knowledge into a skill that can be used in real life.

The best way to know that you understand something is to be able to use it or explain it to someone else.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Reading a book about leadership and then applying its ideas while managing a team.
• Watching a cooking video and then preparing the recipe yourself.
• Learning a foreign language and then using it in a real conversation.
• Attending a training course and then explaining what you learned to your colleagues.
• Reading information about first aid and then practicing it in real situations.

- Connection with the next section:

After understanding the general idea of the Cone of Learning, we will begin by examining its first level, learning through reading, to explore its advantages, limitations, and the best ways to make reading more effective rather than allowing it to become a temporary process of memorizing information.

2- The First Level: Learning Through Reading

Reading represents the first level of the Cone of Learning and is often the starting point when learning any new subject. Through reading, a person becomes familiar with the basic concepts, terminology, theories, and general principles that form the foundation for deeper understanding later. For this reason, the importance of reading should not be underestimated, as it represents the gateway to most areas of human knowledge.

However, reading alone is usually not enough to build deep understanding or acquire practical skills, because it is considered a form of Passive Learning, where the learner's role is generally to receive information without directly interacting with it.

Reading opens the door to knowledge, but it is not enough on its own to achieve mastery.

- What does learning through reading mean?

It means acquiring information by reading books, articles, study notes, scientific research, documents, instructional guides, or any other written source. This method allows the learner to choose a suitable pace and return to the information more than once.

Reading also allows the mind to focus on details, reflect on ideas, and connect them, especially when the material is complex or requires time to understand.

- Why do most learning processes begin with reading?

Because reading provides the theoretical foundation a person needs before moving to more interactive stages. It is difficult to apply a skill, discuss an idea, or solve a problem without possessing a basic level of knowledge related to it.

This is why most educational programs begin by introducing concepts and then gradually move toward examples, discussion, and practical application.

- Advantages of reading:

• Allows learning at any time and in any place.
• Gives the reader the freedom to reread information.
• Helps build fundamental concepts.
• Expands linguistic and intellectual knowledge.
• Develops the ability to focus and analyze.
• Is one of the least expensive learning methods.

- Limitations of reading:

Despite its great importance, reading has several limitations that make relying on it alone insufficient, especially when learning practical skills. A person may understand an idea theoretically but discover during application that they did not understand it as well as they thought.

The mind also tends to forget some of the information that has not been used after reading, because long-term memory requires repetition, retrieval, and application to consolidate information effectively.

Knowledge that is not used gradually begins to fade.

- Common mistakes while reading:

• Reading quickly without attempting to understand.
• Moving to a new book before understanding the previous one.
• Not taking notes.
• Not reviewing important ideas.
• Believing that finishing a book means mastering the subject.

- How can you make reading more effective?

- Reading and active learning:

Reading becomes more active rather than passive learning when the reader begins asking questions, taking notes, attempting to explain ideas in their own words, and connecting them to previous experiences. The more actively a person interacts with the text, the greater the likelihood of remembering and understanding it.

Therefore, the best readers are not those who finish the greatest number of pages, but those who transform what they read into ideas that can be applied.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Reading a book about investing before starting to buy stocks.
• Reading the user manual for a new device before operating it.
• Reading a scientific article to understand a new psychological concept.
• Reading a recipe before preparing it.
• Reading traffic laws before obtaining a driver's license.

- Connection with the next section:

After reading, the learner moves to another level of learning: listening, where tone of voice, explanation, and spoken examples add a new dimension that helps clarify ideas and make them easier to understand than through reading alone.

3- The Second Level: Learning Through Listening

Listening represents the second level of the Cone of Learning and is one of the most widely used learning methods since ancient times. People learn from childhood by listening to their parents, teachers, and those around them before they learn to read or write. Even after acquiring reading skills, listening remains an important way to acquire knowledge, exchange experiences, and understand new ideas.

This level includes listening to lectures, lessons, podcasts, audiobooks, live explanations, discussions, and scientific interviews. It has an advantage that reading often does not provide: tone of voice, the way something is explained, and emphasis on important ideas, all of which can help the learner understand the content more clearly.

Written words convey knowledge, while spoken words add emotion, clarification, and context.

- What does learning through listening mean?

It means receiving information through the auditory channel, whether through a person explaining something directly, an audio recording, or any medium based on listening. This method allows the learner to focus on ideas without having to continuously follow written texts.

Listening can also be used while performing other activities, such as driving, walking, or exercising, which makes podcasts and audiobooks popular learning tools today.

- Advantages of learning through listening:

• Helps make explanations easier to understand naturally.
• Conveys emotions, the speaker's tone, and their style.
• Makes subjects that require verbal explanation easier to learn.
• Can be used while commuting or performing simple tasks.
• Enhances focus when the speaker is skilled.

- Limitations of learning through listening:

Despite its importance, listening alone does not guarantee deep understanding. The mind may hear the words without processing them effectively, especially when the learner is distracted or when the explanation is delivered faster than they can comprehend.

Auditory information can also disappear quickly if it is not reviewed, written down, discussed, or applied, because short-term memory cannot retain it for long without additional processing.

- The difference between hearing and listening:

Many people confuse hearing with listening, despite the significant difference between them. Hearing is an automatic process that occurs when sounds reach the ears, while listening is a conscious mental process that requires attention, focus, an attempt to understand the message, and analysis.

- How can you make listening more effective?

• Listen in a place with minimal distractions.
• Take important notes during the explanation.
• Pause the recording to replay difficult sections.
• Ask about unclear points.
• Try to summarize what you heard after the explanation ends.

The best evidence that you listened well is your ability to explain what you heard in your own words.

- When is listening more effective than reading?

Listening is particularly effective when a subject requires detailed explanation, practical examples, or verbal clarification that is difficult to convey through text alone. It is also suitable for people who learn better through the auditory channel or when circumstances do not allow for reading.

Nevertheless, the best results are usually achieved by combining listening with reading, note-taking, and practical application, because using more than one sense helps build stronger connections within memory.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Listening to a leadership podcast while driving to work.
• Attending a university lecture delivered by a specialist professor.
• Listening to an audiobook while exercising.
• Listening to a live explanation before carrying out a practical experiment.
• Listening to a coach's feedback after performing a particular exercise.

- Connection with the next section:

After listening, the Cone of Learning moves to a more impactful level: learning through watching, where images, diagrams, and videos add a visual dimension that helps the brain understand relationships, processes, and details that are difficult to imagine through words alone.

4- The Third Level: Learning Through Watching

Learning through watching represents the third level of the Cone of Learning. It marks an important transition from relying solely on words to benefiting from images, diagrams, shapes, videos, and visual demonstrations. The human brain has a strong capacity to process visual information quickly, allowing it to recognize patterns, relationships, and details in a very short time compared with written text.

For this reason, visual methods have become an essential part of modern education, whether in schools, universities, training courses, or even online content, because they help transform abstract concepts into images that are easier to understand and remember.

Sometimes a single image can explain an idea that would require several pages of text.

- What does learning through watching mean?

It means acquiring knowledge through visual media such as images, diagrams, graphs, mind maps, animations, educational videos, and visual demonstrations. This type of learning helps the brain create a visual representation of information, making it easier to understand and retrieve later.

When a person sees something happening in front of them, it becomes easier to understand the relationships between causes and effects and notice details that may be difficult to describe using words alone.

- Why is watching effective?

The brain relies heavily on visual perception to understand the world around us, and a substantial portion of the cerebral cortex is involved in processing information received through the eyes. This allows people to recognize shapes, colors, and movements rapidly and use them to build a deeper understanding of new concepts.

- Advantages of visual learning:

• Makes complex concepts easier to understand.
• Helps discover relationships between ideas.
• Increases the speed of understanding compared with lengthy texts.
• Improves information retention.
• Attracts attention and reduces boredom during learning.
• Helps clarify processes and sequential steps.

- Limitations of learning through watching:

Despite its effectiveness, visual learning alone is not sufficient to build deep knowledge. A person may watch dozens of educational videos and feel that they understand the subject, only to discover when attempting to apply it that they cannot perform what they watched, because watching does not necessarily mean acquiring the skill.

Some videos also focus more on visual appeal than on content quality, causing the learner to remember the scenes while forgetting the key ideas.

Seeing a solution is different from being able to execute it.

- When is visual learning most effective?

This method is particularly effective when learning subjects that depend on spatial relationships, sequential processes, or changes over time, such as anatomy, physics, engineering, programming, drawing, crafts, and technical skills.

It is also suitable for people who tend to create mental images while thinking, because they can connect new information to what they see more easily.

- How can you make watching more effective?

- Watching and visual perception:

Visual learning is not limited to simply seeing images; it also involves the brain's ability to interpret them and identify patterns within them. For this reason, graphs, mind maps, infographics, and diagrams help learners see relationships between concepts in ways that can be difficult to achieve through text alone.

The more effectively a person can transform information into mental images, the easier it becomes to retrieve it later, because the brain tends to remember images better than abstract words.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Watching a video explaining how to change a car tire.
• Watching a scientific experiment instead of simply reading its description.
• Using a mind map to understand a study topic.
• Viewing an anatomical diagram to understand the organs of the human body.
• Following a video that demonstrates the steps for designing a website.

- Connection with the next section:

After learning through watching, the Cone of Learning moves to a more powerful level: combining watching and listening, where the brain processes visual and auditory information at the same time, increasing attention, understanding, and the formation of connections within memory.

5- Level Four: Learning Through Watching and Listening Together

Learning through watching and listening together represents an important turning point within the Cone of Learning because it combines two fundamental channels for processing information: the visual channel and the auditory channel. When a person sees information and hears an explanation at the same time, the brain becomes able to build stronger cognitive connections compared with using only one sense.

This is why most modern educational tools rely on combining visuals and sound, such as educational videos, presentations, online courses, and interactive explanations, because they help increase attention, reduce ambiguity, and make complex ideas easier to understand.

When the eyes and ears work together to convey information, the mind becomes better able to understand and remember it.

- What is audiovisual learning?

It refers to using methods that combine verbal explanation and visual presentation at the same time, so that the learner does not rely on words alone or images alone, but benefits from the integration of both channels. This integration provides greater clarity, especially when processes or relationships between elements are complex.

For example, watching a scientific experiment while hearing an explanation of its steps is more effective than watching the experiment in silence or simply reading a description of it.

- Why is this method more effective?

Cognitive psychology explains this effectiveness by noting that the brain processes visual and auditory information through different pathways and then integrates them within memory. When these two channels are properly integrated, understanding can develop more quickly, while the likelihood of misinterpreting information may decrease.

This does not mean that using more than one sense always leads to better learning, because excessive stimulation can cause distraction when the content is not well organized. Therefore, the quality of instructional design plays an important role in the success of this type of learning.

- Examples of audiovisual learning:

• Watching an educational video with voice-over narration.
• Attending a presentation that explains graphs.
• Taking an online course that includes explanations and visual illustrations.
• Watching a laboratory experiment with an explanation of its steps.
• Attending a lecture in which the instructor uses a whiteboard and provides direct explanations.

- Benefits of this method:

• Increases attention for longer periods.
• Clarifies abstract concepts more effectively.
• Helps with understanding sequential processes.
• Reduces ambiguity and misunderstanding.
• Builds stronger mental representations.
• Accommodates different types of learners.

- Limitations of audiovisual learning:

Despite its effectiveness, this level does not fully transform the learner into an active participant because it still relies mainly on watching and listening without actual practice. A person may feel that they understand a topic while watching a video, but then struggle when attempting to apply it independently.

In addition, excessive visual or auditory stimuli, or rapid transitions, may distract attention and reduce learning quality if they are not used thoughtfully.

Watching someone perform a skill is not a substitute for practicing it yourself.

- How can you benefit from this level most effectively?

- Relationship with Dual Coding Theory:

Dual Coding Theory suggests that the brain retains information more effectively when it is presented through words and images together, because this allows two different representations of the information to be formed within memory, increasing the likelihood of retrieving it later.

This is why many educational experts recommend using diagrams, charts, and visual examples alongside verbal explanations rather than relying on either one alone.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Watching a video explaining how to use a computer program.
• Watching a doctor explain the structure of the heart using an anatomical model.
• Learning through an online course containing visuals and voice-over narration.
• Watching a sports coach explain an exercise while performing it.
• Following a teacher explaining mathematics using a whiteboard and practical examples.

- Relationship with the next section:

After the learner reaches the stage of watching and listening together, they begin moving toward the first levels of active learning, which is discussion and explanation. At this stage, the person does not simply receive information, but begins to organize it, express it, and test their understanding through dialogue and the exchange of ideas with others.

6- Level Five: Learning Through Discussion and Explanation

Learning through discussion and explanation represents the beginning of the true transition from passive learning to active learning. At this stage, the learner does not simply receive information, but begins to reorganize it, express it, defend it, and connect it with previous experiences, leading to a deeper and more stable understanding.

When a person explains an idea to someone else or participates in a discussion about it, they are forced to organize their thoughts, search for appropriate words, and identify relationships between concepts. This process quickly reveals the strengths and weaknesses in their understanding because a person cannot clearly explain something they have not understood well.

When you can explain a simple idea to a child, you have probably understood it well.

- Why is explanation a powerful learning tool?

Explanation relies on several mental processes at the same time. The learner retrieves information from memory, reorganizes it, converts it into understandable words, connects it with examples, observes the listener's response, and adjusts the explanation when necessary. All of these processes make learning deeper than simply reading or watching.

- The role of discussion in building knowledge:

Discussion is not only about exchanging opinions. It helps test ideas, discover different perspectives, compare evidence, and correct misconceptions. It also broadens the way a person thinks because they can see a problem from perspectives they may not notice when thinking alone.

This is why universities, modern training programs, and workshops rely on group discussions, dialogue, and questioning, because they make the learner a participant in producing knowledge rather than merely a recipient of it.

- The impact of asking questions:

Asking questions is one of the most powerful learning tools because a good question forces the mind to search, analyze, and connect information. Attempting to answer questions also quickly reveals what a person actually knows and what they need to review.

The quality of learning depends not only on the quality of the answers, but also on the quality of the questions.

- Benefits of learning through discussion:

• Improves deep understanding.
• Develops critical thinking.
• Reveals conceptual errors.
• Improves communication skills.
• Increases self-confidence.
• Teaches respect for different perspectives.
• Develops the ability to persuade and engage in dialogue.

- The effect of explanation on memory:

When a person explains information, they use what is known as Active Recall, meaning that they retrieve knowledge from memory rather than simply rereading it. Research confirms that this is one of the most effective learning methods because it strengthens the memory processes responsible for retrieving information.

The need to simplify an idea while explaining it also pushes a person to understand it more deeply because the mind searches for the essence of the concept rather than simply memorizing its details.

- When is discussion ineffective?

Discussion becomes less effective when it turns into an argument aimed at winning or proving superiority rather than searching for the truth. It also loses its value when participants rely on opinions without evidence or refuse to listen to others.

Therefore, effective dialogue is based on respect, curiosity, and a desire to learn rather than a desire to win.

- How can you benefit from this level?

• Explain what you have learned out loud.
• Discuss ideas with others.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Ask someone to question you.
• Summarize the lesson in your own words.
• Use examples from your everyday life.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Explaining a lesson to a university classmate.
• Discussing a book in a reading club.
• Presenting a project idea to a work team.
• Answering students' questions while teaching.
• Sharing ideas during a training workshop.

- Relationship with the next section:

Although discussion and explanation represent a high level of learning, the highest level in the Cone of Learning is reached when a person moves to practical application and actual practice. At this stage, knowledge is transformed from stored information into practical experience and a skill that can be used in real life.

7- Level Six: Learning Through Practical Application and Practice

Practical application and practice represent the highest levels of learning within the Cone of Learning because this is the stage where theoretical knowledge becomes a practical skill that can be used in real life. At this stage, a person does not simply understand or explain information, but begins using it to solve problems, make decisions, and perform tasks independently.

Most cognitive psychologists and education experts agree that genuine skills are not acquired through reading or watching alone, but through repeated practice, encountering mistakes, and continuously adjusting performance. This is why a person does not become a doctor simply by reading books, a programmer simply by watching lessons, or a skilled speaker simply by memorizing public-speaking rules, but through continuous practical practice.

Knowledge tells you what to do, while practice makes you capable of doing it well.

- Why is practical application one of the most powerful ways to learn?

When a person applies what they have learned, they simultaneously use memory, thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, movement, observation, and self-evaluation. All of these processes work together to build strong neural networks that make the skill more stable and easier to retrieve when needed.

- The difference between knowledge and skill:

Many people can explain how to drive a car, describe the rules of swimming, or explain the basics of programming, but this does not mean they can perform these skills in practice. Knowledge is understanding what should be done, while skill is the ability to perform that action efficiently, confidently, and quickly.

- The role of mistakes in learning:

Many people believe that making a mistake is evidence of failure, while research indicates that mistakes are an essential part of the learning process. When a person makes a mistake, receives feedback, and then tries again, the brain begins to adjust its strategies and strengthen the correct neural pathways.

Therefore, effective learning environments do not immediately punish mistakes, but instead use them as opportunities to improve performance, identify weaknesses, and develop solutions.

A mistake is not the end of learning; it is one of its most important tools.

- Deliberate practice:

Not all practice leads to mastery. A person may repeat the same behavior for years without improving if they do not pay attention to their mistakes. This is why psychologists distinguish between ordinary practice and Deliberate Practice.

Deliberate practice involves setting a clear goal, focusing on a specific weakness, receiving continuous feedback, and then trying again until performance gradually improves.

- Characteristics of effective practice:

• Having a clear goal for each training session.
• Focusing on one area for improvement.
• Receiving continuous feedback.
• Practicing regularly.
• Gradually increasing the level of challenge.
• Evaluating performance after each attempt.

- From knowledge to experience:

Over time, repeated skills become almost automatic behaviors. At first, a person needs to think about every step, but many processes eventually become automatic as a result of extensive practice. This explains the ability of a surgeon, pilot, or professional athlete to make rapid decisions while working.

In cognitive psychology, this transition is described as a shift from conscious processing to automatic processing, where the mental effort required to perform a skill decreases as experience increases.

- How can you apply this principle in your life?

• Do not limit yourself to reading information.
• Turn every idea into a practical exercise.
• Start with small projects.
• Record your mistakes and learn from them.
• Practice regularly.
• Ask for feedback from someone with more experience.
• Gradually improve your performance.

- Examples from everyday life:

• Learn programming by building real programs.
• Learn a language through daily speaking and writing.
• Develop public-speaking skills by giving actual presentations.
• Learn to drive through practical training on the road.
• Learn cooking by preparing different recipes yourself.
• Learn design by completing real projects.

- Relationship with the next section:

After reviewing the levels of the Cone of Learning, the most important question remains: How can we use this model in our daily lives? In the next section, we will bring all the previous levels together into a practical strategy that can help you learn faster, retain information for longer, and transform it into real, applicable skills.

8- How Can You Use the Cone of Learning to Learn More Effectively?

After becoming familiar with all the levels of the Cone of Learning, the most important question is: How can this model be transformed into a practical approach to daily learning? Knowing that practical application is more effective than reading alone is not enough; the learning process must be organized in a way that allows for a gradual transition from receiving information to using and mastering it.

Many people spend long hours reading or watching videos and then feel, after a few days, that they have forgotten most of what they learned. This is often not because of poor memory, but because the learning process stopped at the passive stages and did not move into the active stages that strengthen knowledge in long-term memory.

Do not measure the quality of your learning by the number of hours you studied, but by the number of things you have become capable of applying.

- Step One: Start with Understanding, Not Memorization

When learning any new subject, first try to build a general picture of it. Read the basic concepts, then watch a visual explanation if the topic is complex, so that your brain can build a general framework that helps organize the details later.

Memorizing before understanding makes information disconnected, while understanding connects each piece of information to what came before and what comes after, making it easier to retrieve when needed.

- Step Two: Take Notes in Your Own Words

Do not copy texts word for word. Instead, try to restate ideas in your own words. When you rephrase information, you force your brain to analyze, understand, and organize it rather than copying it mechanically.

- Step Three: Use Active Recall

After finishing your study session, close the book or video and try to retrieve the information from memory without looking at the source. Ask yourself:

• What is the main idea?
• What are the most important points?
• How would I explain them to someone else?
• How can I use them in my life?

This method is one of the most effective ways to strengthen memory because it trains the brain to access information rather than simply rereading it.

- Step Four: Discuss What You Have Learned

Talk with a friend, colleague, or family member about what you have learned. If you cannot find someone, explain the lesson out loud as if you were teaching another person. You will quickly notice the points that are still unclear to you.

- Step Five: Apply Immediately

Do not wait until you feel completely ready, because that feeling may never come. Start applying what you have learned at the earliest opportunity, even if the application is simple. Application is the stage where information is transformed into real experience.

The best time to apply what you have learned is today, not when you feel perfect.

- Step Six: Review Intelligently

Do not rely on reviewing all the information at once. Instead, use Spaced Repetition, meaning that you review the information after one day, then after several days, then after a week, and then after a month. This approach aligns with how long-term memory works and significantly reduces forgetting.

- Mistakes That Reduce Learning Quality:

• Relying only on reading.
• Watching lessons without taking notes.
• Delaying practical application.
• Failing to review information after learning.
• Studying for long hours without breaks.
• Moving to a new topic before understanding the previous one.

- Examples from everyday life:

• After reading a book, write a summary of it from memory.
• After watching a course, complete a small project that applies what you learned.
• After learning a new concept, explain it to one of your friends.
• After attending a lecture, write down the five most important ideas without looking at your notes.
• Review information at spaced intervals instead of reviewing it only once.

- Conclusion:

The Cone of Learning shows that the quality of learning does not depend on the amount of information a person is exposed to, but on their level of participation in the learning process. As they move from reading and listening to discussion, explanation, and practical application, their knowledge becomes deeper, more stable, and more usable in real life.

Although the percentages commonly associated with the Cone of Learning are not supported by strong scientific evidence, the general principle emphasized by the model is consistent with many findings from cognitive psychology and modern educational research: active learning is more effective than passive learning, and practice, retrieval, explanation, and practical application are among the best ways to transform information into lasting knowledge and genuine skills that remain with a person over the long term.