Generalizing Juggling

Generalizing knowledge is not the same as transferring knowledge. The process of generalizing means developing enough working expertise that knowledge can be transferred to new contexts at will. This is because, through generalizing, you get at the underlying principles of a piece of knowledge, rather than just the way it is applied in any given context.

This will make more sense if we work through an example. Let’s take juggling.

If you have studied the process of juggling, you know that there are certain movements that each hand and arm must make, both when catching and when tossing an object. These are the underlying principles of juggling knowledge. Beginners are often told to practice the catch and toss hand movements, without any object at all, in order to become familiar with the motions themselves. Once your hand has completed the toss motion, it must proceed to the catch motion. When you’re comfortable with the movements, you can begin to practice them by tossing and catching an object (usually a beanbag). The question of exactly when your hands should perform a toss movement or a catch movement is dictated by where the beanbag(s) are; if one is coming down, you’ll need to catch, and if one is in your hand, you’ll need to toss.

We can state these underlying principles somewhat formally:

1. The catch involves reacting smoothly to the object’s motion and entry into the hand
2. The throw involves considering the object’s weight distribution and/or shape
3. When tossing or catching, you can’t look at the object in the hand; you should instead watch the object in the air
4. Parallel processing is necessary; you must focus as much on the throw as the catch

When you can perform the toss and catch, following those principles, you can successfully juggle three beanbags!

Let’s now look at the context for juggling and determine what contextual prompts might alert you to a situation where you can apply your new juggling knowledge. Maybe you see three potatoes on the kitchen counter (three similar objects you can toss and catch). Or what about a dull moment in a social situation; might you liven things up by showing off your new skill? And given the concentration that juggling requires, maybe you can juggle your beanbags when you need to take your mind off of something for a little while. These are all reasons (or prompts) for juggling (applying your new knowledge).

Now let’s look at intentionally applying the knowledge in different contexts, from the familiar to the far. The most familiar context is juggling three objects that closely resemble the trusty beanbags; maybe tennis balls or balls of tinfoil. The next context is not quite familiar, only similar: three potatoes, or maybe even rocks. Then you can deliberately try a different context; maybe you sharpen your juggling skills by juggling while walking around. The last context in which you can apply your new skill is also the least familiar or similar: juggle flaming torches! OK…you’re probably not ready for that, but as you work our way through these increasingly unfamiliar contexts, you’re building working expertise. Another way to say it is that you are intentionally generalizing the skill of juggling. Once you have generalized your juggling into even completely unfamiliar contexts, you’ve become an expert juggler and can juggle in very different contexts without much trouble: while reciting Shakespeare, with objects that aren’t all the same, or while riding a skateboard, for instance.

The point is that when you generalize knowledge, you’re engaging in a deliberate process of learning in order to elevate the level of your knowledge. When you transfer knowledge, you’re applying it in new contexts or circumstances.