Dear LO's,
I have been lurking for a year or two now and enjoying the experience! I
am playing around with some ideas and I'd love to hear feedback/discussion
on them as they relate to your experiences (or observation of others).
I am always interested in watching how one person "learns" from a
particular situation while others do not. I have begun to play with the
notion that our "perception of learning" might impact our learning in an
organizational setting - particularly as our perception of learning*
meshes with or contradicts the organization's perception of learning
(embedded in mental modals & culture)
On the one hand -- often formal or informal learning occurs when we are
open to certain opportunities to learn. Therefore, our perception of
learning would have an impact how we differentiate "noise," "nuisance," or
day-to-day business from what is perceived of as a learning opportunity.
On the other hand -- learning may also take place when we don't
characterize it as such. (i.e. Tough's findings). For example, we may
think of repairing the toilet as a chore rather than a learning
experience. This would tend to minimize the importance of our perception
of learning as a filter for learning. (Perhaps leading us back to "need
to know" as the critical factor).
* I am approaching the "perception of learning" from a broad range of
considerations, and consider the affective, cognitive, and social aspects
of that perception.
Any thoughts, experiences, or observations on this?
Thanks!
Polly
Polly M. Silva
Virginia Tech
psilva@vt.edu
--Polly Silva <psilva@cox.rr.com>
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