My Theory of Learning..(p.1)

As part of our learning process, we are charged with defining the following now (part 1 of this post) and reflecting on this at the end of the term in April (part 2 of this post).

so here goes...

1. What do you currently understand learning to be--for yourself as a learner and for your students if you teach?

My worldview on learning so to speak consists of learning through a variety of modes, informal, formal and non-formal learning.  Personally, i think my learning breakdown is as follows currently: 

80% Informal learning  (what i read/hear/view online, hear in the news, what my husband teaches me daily, the knowledge my co-workers pass on, etc.)

15% Formal learning (participating daily/weekly in studies for my masters degree in Adult Education at the University of Toronto)

5% Non-formal learning (the non-accredited learning i do to keep up with my project management designation *PMP)

As with my students, my culture, background, socio-economic standing, experience as a student, experience as a worker, experience as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, etc. all come into play when it comes to what knowledge I gain, how i learn it, and how I interpret it as useful moving forward.

For students (adult learners) that I teach, it's a combo of non-formal and informal learning.  I try to infuse the need-to-know information with what they come to learn and what they bring to the learning (ie. their experiences, skills, background, etc.)  I also design and do program planning for learning and development for workplace learning with these things in mind along with other key variables like adult learning styles, evaluation objectives, etc.

2. Why (on what basis) do you hold those views, both for yourself and for your students? (If you are not a teacher think of a situation where you have taught somebody something.)

I believe I've come to have the above view, and really become aware of my view through my experience as an OISE student at U. of T.  I know that as project manager working on design of e-learning and learning and development programs and projects, I was aware of nuances of adults and learning styles, but it was not as reflective of my part in learning as a learner, nor as a teacher, but over the last 2 years, I've come to think more critically, and expand my lens on learning both on myself and others I instruct.  

More recently in my role as a Master Trainer for the Stanford University developed Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSM) Program sponsored in Ontario by Saint Elizabeth Health Care Foundation, I trained new leaders for CDSM community workshops.  While the curriculum is standardized, the examples and connections the students make to the material is highly personalized.  It is only through personal experience that I draw shared knowledge that makes for a much more enriching learning environment for the participants.

Another key element to what has shaped my view/theory of learning, is becoming a mother.  Now, less focused on self, and more on how experiences and knowledge will shape my little one.

3. What role does knowledge play in learning?

Knowledge is essential to learning.  What you know or bring to the table impacts how learning takes place and what is learned.  Knowledge enriches the learning experience for other students as shared knowledge can sometimes be much more impactful and precious than what's on a lesson plan.

I also believe knowledge helps to create context for the student, without acknowledging knowledge in the learning environment or providing an outlet to share relevant knowledge, the learning experience may not be truly authentic.

4. What role do others play in your learning (e.g. peers, teachers etc)?

The roles that others play in my learning is to say the least - huge.  Especially when it comes to the daily informal learning.  By having conversations on a topic of interest, or a new topic (ie, a friend sharing their travel experience to a part of the world I have never been), or by a peer sending me an email with a link to how to subscribe to an online deal site relevant to baby gear, etc. are all such valuable learning opportunities that contribute to what i fill my pocket of knowledge with everyday.  

On a more formal note, my teachers and fellow teachers enable me to build my knowledge through sharing of ideas, research, evidence and critical examination of focused areas of knowledge.

Students I teach also play a great role in my learning by shaping the way I facilitate, by challenging how I share my knowledge and by bringing to the table their own skills and experience.

I believe that without challenge and motivation, we do not learn to our potential, so in my role as a learner and facilitator of learning, I try to keep this in mind to make the most of education and knowledge transfer no matter the platform.

And with that, I shall leave you with a quote from one of our fave writers in my household:

So you see! There's no end to the things you might know, depending how far beyond zebra you go.

Dr. Seuss