Tag Archives: learning

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Learning

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Learning can take on a variety of forms from formal classroom, to experiential to one on one mentoring.   What is the best way to determine if learning has occurred?

Traditionally

A traditional and oft used technique is testing.  Whether written or practical the core objective is for the learner to prove their knowledge.

Unfortunately the context is artificial and this impacts the outcomes. For example if you are driving a vehicle alone, your responses and attentiveness might drastically differ from when the testor is sitting beside you.

Feeling nervous will definitely affect results.  Cynically speaking the test results might only prove the learner is good at taking tests.  Put them in a situation where the knowledge needed to be practised and the results could be catastrophic.

Is there a better way?

Demonstration of knowledge through execution ( like the driving test) resonates with me but is not always practical and the assessment of the results includes some subjectivity. (For example I would not recommend testing a surgeons skills on open heart surgery).

Japanese sushi chefs undergo a long apprenticeship which provides them with a great deal of practicle experience.  The final test is preparation of Fugu fish sushi.

Fugu is a highly toxic fish that when eaten, if prepared badly, results in almost immediate death.  The sushi apprentice eats the fish they prepared and if they live, they pass.  Now thats a test.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Communication Consideration

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One of the most important interpersonal skills is communicating with others.  As we are growing up we receive formal training for reading and writing.  What about spoken communication?

Our parents or guardians begin the process of guiding us through how to interact with others.  This is largely experiential .  We learn by observing.

Basic Concepts of Communicating

It is dissapointing to me that we do not yet provide formal education in the basic concepts of communication starting from a young age.  That is, incorporating them into our elementary school curriculums.

Principles of Communicating

There is always a sender and a receiver.  Information passes from the sender to the receiver.

The transmission can be full duplex (senders can communicate simultaneously) or half duplex ( the information transmission is uni-directional and the receiver must wait for the information transnission to complete before sending)

Both the sender and receiver have filters and a bias through which the information is interpreted.  That is, the way the sender formulates their transmission is subject to their bias.  The way the reciever interprets the information is subject to their bias.

Using the principles to Communicate more effectively

A solid understanding of these basic principles is a great tool toward improving communication with others.  Understanding the mechanics of communication is key to being able to improve the quality of your interactions.

This is a similar principle to self awareness, the more you understand whats going on around you (ie, how communications work at a basic level) the better you are able to modify and improve your communications.

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Life Long Learning

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Learning comes in many forms from the formal, to just straight up experiential.  Everyone is exposed to some form of learning moments  throughout  their lives, for many I would argue there is a daily chance for a learning experience.

Whether we absorb, store and ultimately how we use the learning we are exposed to (if we use it at all) is unique to each individual.   Some not only learn, but share what they have learned (teaching).

Formal Learning

Formal learning. which usually includes some form of validation (testing) and often provides recognition (things like a certificate, professional qualification, post secondary degree, license to practice, etc) is valued and the teacher(s) are frequently paid for providing the learning service.

Formal learning comes in a variety of formats from one on one teaching to classroom or online courses  and a plethora of variations and is sometime confused as the main and perhaps only way to “learn”

Informal Learning/ Take Care to be Aware

Keen observation and awareness of our surroundings and paying attention to each interaction we incur through out our day is key to attaining benefit from all the informal learning opportunities that come your way each day.

What did that communication you just received really mean?  The actions you just observed created a result, is there an identifiable root cause?  Is it repeatable?

The more we let these learning experiences pass us by the more we miss out the opportunity to build our knowledge and capabilities.

Youth as learning sponges

When we are young the questions typically come fast and furious.  This is just typical human behavior, these questions are learning moments.

As time goes by (and we grow older) the questions are less frequent and even sometimes discouraged or treated as socially unacceptable.   How often have you heard “enough, no more questions, just do it?”

Both the learning moments and knowledge sharing chances require patience – on everyone’s part.

Take Advantage

Consider the value and benefit to your own happiness from embracing the opportunity to make a key aspect of your life about life long learning, leveraging every chances you get both formal and informal.  Don’t let life pass you by.