Over the weekend, Mission to Learn quietly slipped into its third year. As befits such occasions, I’ve been trying to spend a bit of time reflecting on how the site has changed over time and where I’d like to take it going forward. One thing that occurred to me is that, in spite of this being a site about learning, I’ve never actually offered a definition here of what I mean by “learning.” So here’s my definition:
Learning is the lifelong process of transforming information and experience into knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes.
I might add to that:
- It is not dependent upon classes and courses – though these can be very useful tools for learning
- It does not require a degree, certificate, or grade to prove its worth – though clearly these have social value that most people would be unwise to ignore
- It does require – in varying degrees, and in varying times and circumstances – activities like practice, reflection, interaction with the environment (in the broadest sense), and social interaction. The latter, in particular, can be greatly facilitated by the range of new technologies for communication and collaboration now available to us.
- It does not always – probably not even most of the time – happen consciously – though I think that those who strive for a more conscious approach to learning throughout their lives – whether at work or otherwise – tend to be more successful in pretty much whatever way they define success.
I think that pretty well sums up the view of learning that drives my efforts here at Mission to Learn. What do you think? Does this capture your view of learning? What would you add or take away?
Jeff
Featured Learning Book: The Art of Learning, by Josh Waitzkin
No related posts.
posted on May 21, 2009
Other Mission to Learn Offerings
Thanks so much for reading the Mission to Learn blog. If you aren't already aware of them, we also encourage you to check out:
- The Learning Monitor e-newsletter
- The Radio Free Learning podcast
- Mission to Learn on Twitter
Also, we are always eager to hear from you about things you would like to see on Mission to Learn. Please contact us with any ideas or news you have, or find out about writing for Mission to Learn.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Has learning, in your opinion, nothing to do with the adaptation to new circumstances of both pleasurable shocking and painful experiences?
I am attending an online school and I need info for my Life Long Learning paper for Finals. Can you help me
Thanks
Anna – It depends on what you need. If you can provide more detail here in the comments, I can do my best to respond and also point others here to respond. – Jeff
learning is all wonderful as much as people define learning in many ways the only thing that blesses is that it has no end till death do u part
learning is a process which get start from the birth and end with death.
Dear Jeff,
how do you think it is possible to keep learning and learning with the very limited time there is. Especially for people that are working in the management level?
Do you have any best practise examples for companies that encourage there people to keep on learning (job related but also to develop personaly)?
Thanks
Anne – Thanks for commenting. Definitely a very good and important question. To a certain extent, of course, we can’t help but keep learning: it’s simply how we are wired. Lately I’ve been more and more intrigued by the idea that we all tend to know a lot more than we give ourselves credit for. We just don’t take proper time to reflect upon, analyze, and synthesize what we have learned. Even so, I know that is probably small comfort when caught up in the frenzy of everyday managerial duties. I wrote a post a while back on ways to find more time for focused learning. You may want to have a look at that: http://www.missiontolearn.com/2009/08/find-extra-time/ – perhaps some of these could be carved out as best practices that fit your situation. In addition to making more time, I think it is very important to develop habits like good note-taking and also to take seriously the idea that physical well being – particularly through good diet, exercise, and sleep – habits play a very important role in learning effectively and efficiently. In the end, of course, there is no magic bullet: anyone who want to learn continuously and achieve goals has to commit to it consciously and set priorities. I think all of the themes I outlined in an earlier post on the “self help” industry apply: http://www.missiontolearn.com/2010/02/self-help-secrets/
I hope these thoughts are of some help. I’d welcome any further ideas you or other readers have on the topic. It is one that will never go away!
Jeff
Mr. Jeff, can you share to me what’s the difference between learning and knowledge..it really confuses me..Thanks..
Joyce – Perhaps an oversimplification, but I view learning as the process by which knowledge is acquired and modified. Learning is the process; knowledge is the outcome. Though I wouldn’t want to imply that knowledge is static. Because learning is continuous, knowledge, too, is always in flux. I hope that helps some. – Jeff
i think learning is a past & feature experince. may be it is process of learning ,human beings learn any where.
To corroborate your response to joyce,As long as we are alive learning continues as knowlege too is not static ,they go together.
The best thing about learning is that it never stops no matter how old you are or how intelligent you’ve become. It only does when you’ve stop paying attention.