Tag Archives: teaching

Learning for Life

Do we need a reason for practicing continuous learning?  Whether formal or informal is the motivation to learn best just driven by the potential to gain knowledge, rather than a specific social or monetary goal.

The ongoing acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught directly by others undoubtedly has value even if the return on investment cannot be specifically defined.

What percent of my personal health and wealth is attributable to ongoing learning?  I do not have an exact measure in monetary terms but  I have always found ways to leverage my knowledge gains even if only to improve my feeling of personal well-being.

Embrace the Experience

Learning objectives are generally focused on specific topics and learning objectives (e.g., mathematics) however the ways we are taught and how it is received is an important part of the learning experience itself (beyond just the content).

Ongoing interaction with teachers and other learners can go well beyond the learning objectives.  Social interactions or working together with others to gather and collate information provides a side learning opportunity to increase our overall maturity.

Sometimes the most important knowledge gains are derived from the ad hoc or informal practices associated with structured learning.

Practice

All areas we undertake to upgrade our knowledge from time to time don’t need to be associated with specific future plans.  That is we do not need to take a course or training with a specific goal in mind.

Ultimately should find a way to employ the outcomes of our training when done. Without practice or actually using the knowledge we gained, learning may be wasted.

In some cases though exactly how we are going to leverage what we learned might not be clear to us until we are done.

Mentoring

Mentoring describes the relationship between a more experienced/knowledgable person focused on imparting guidance to a less experienced/ knowledgable individual.

The mentor/ mentee relationship is two way with both parties satisfying a need. One to share experience and the other to gain. Ultimately both recieve value.

Not Mandated

Prescribed mentoring is usually doomed to failure. That is, the process really only works when desired and embraced by both people, a forced relationship really just does not work.

 

In the past I have been asked by a third party to mentor individuals they viewed as having high potential but lacking experience. My response has always been, this is not a request that is yours to make. They need to ask me directly.

My own experience has shown arranged mentoring has little chance of success.

In a similar vein, I would argue leaders/ managers have an accountability to create an environment for followers/ subordinates to develop and thrive but this practive is quite different from a mentoring relationship.

Two Way Strret

Effective mentoring involes a bond of respective from both participantsand is not heirarchical in nature but rather an exchange between equals. This is a key distinction.

It is critical for both persons to learn and improve, the key to mentoring is not treating it as a master/ student relationship. This is what amkes it a powerfully effective process for developing enhanced skills and capabilities.

Mentoring is mutual, everyone gain, is not authority or power based in any way. For these reasons it is a great approach is you but not simple to arrange, participate and create a good relationship.

Life Long Learning

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.