Page 439 - Learning to Learn

LEARNING TO LEARN: BECOMING A SELF -GROWER 439
EXPERIENCE 15: S HIFTING FROM EXTRINSIC TO INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
CHALLENGE
Throughout this course, you have done a great deal of learning but quite likely some significant growing
as well. The differences between learning (gaining knowledge) and growing are critical if your goal is to
become a self-grower and star performer.
Knowledge
Knowledge is the awareness or possession of information, facts, truths, or principles. Aknowledgeable
person possesses a large fund of such knowledge that may be used expertly or wisely in various
contexts. Libraries, textbooks, bookstores, and the Internet are repositories of many types of knowledge;
they provide access through organization, classification, and search tools. Knowledge includes the
comprehension and understanding which can be taught to others. Knowledge is constructed through the
learning process (Learning Process Methodology), and as individuals become increasingly proficient
in learning, such as through the use of methodologies, they can increase their level of knowledge
(Levels of Learner Knowledge).
Growth
Growth can be viewed from two basic perspectives. The first is related to performance. Almost
everyone is motivated to improve performance in the areas they value. According to the Theory of
Performance, one can predict that performance will increase if any of the following five areas are
improved: knowledge, learning skills, awareness of identity, experience in a new context, and factors
within the performer’s personal life. The first step in analyzing or assessing growth is to determine
which of the five areas of performance is restricting the capacity of a performer. Often a performer will
need to improve a key skill from the comprehensive set of transferable learning skills described in the
Classification of Learning Skills.
Growth leads to improved quality of learning because learners internalize learning skills that are
required to reach more complex, better integrated levels of performance. When the performance levels
for learners are contrasted with those for self-growers (Performance Levels for Self-Growers), it is
revealed that constructing knowledge alone does not produce growth. This means that it is possible
to learn a considerable body of factual and theoretical knowledge and yet fail to grow the strategies
necessary to improve applications of knowledge or to be able to self-assess one’s competency level
in the actual use of the knowledge. Accomplished learners, also called enhanced learners and master
learners, continue to acquire new learning skills; accomplished self-growers, also called self-starters
and star performers, apply learning skills at high levels for all performance challenges.
Comparing Knowledge and Growth
Knowledge is the result produced from learning. Growth is the result of personal development
produced by self-assessment. This is important because a learner can remain at the same learning
performance level despite substantial increases in knowledge. Therefore, the essential challenge is
learner development, or the growth referred to as learning to learn.
(Excerpted from Differentiating Knowledge from Growth by Cy Leise, Psychology & Human Services, Bellevue
University, published in the Faculty Guidebook by Pacific Crest.)