Page 20 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

The Performance Model

For a moment, think of all the things you know how to do well.
Now, think about how you went from being a beginner to an
accomplished performer in these areas. You integrated skills
and knowledge to produce a valuable result. For example,
if you have been asked to design a logo for the student
newspaper, you will integrate multiple factors to perform
well as an artist, even if you are not aware of them.

A group of educators from all over the country have outlined
the factors that make up a theory of performance. This Performance Model consists of: identity, skills,
knowledge, context, personal factors, and fixed factors. You have some control over all of these, with the
exception of fixed factors. Your development and growth in the five remaining areas will continue throughout
your life. Knowing that you have this control should give you a great deal of confidence to learn new things
in college and in life. To continue our trip metaphor, you are in the driver’s seat.

Table 1.1 Components that Interact to Establish Level of Performance

Identity As individuals mature in a discipline, they take on the shared identity of the professional
community while elevating their own uniqueness. For a learner to perform well, he or she must
have a strong identity as a member of a learning community. A student demonstrates identity
as a learner when engaging in learning activities, such as attending classes and studying. A
student who is majoring in psychology begins to demonstrate identity within that field by
using the terminology of psychology.

Skills Skills describe specific actions that are used by individuals, groups, or organizations in multiple
types of performances. Within education, the focus is on those skills that are transferable across
contexts and allow individuals to improve their mastery of subject matter. These are known
as learning skills. Learners who perform well work to increase their mastery of learning skills.

Knowledge involves facts, information, concepts, theories, or principles acquired by a person

Knowledge or group through experience or education. You are learning about the Performance Model

right now and are adding to your knowledge with every word you read.

Context This component includes variables associated with the situation in which the individual or
organization performs. Each time you perform as a learner, you do so within a specific context,
which includes a number of variables. For example, your performance in this course has, as
its context, the way you meet (in a classroom? online?), how often you meet as a class, the
length of the term (a full semester? an intensive summer course?), and so on. Chapter 6 deals
with context of performance in depth.

Personal This component includes variables associated with the personal situation of an individual.
Factors Your performance as a student depends a great deal upon your personal factors and the life
situation you are in. This can be a significant challenge. To use a simple example, how well
are you able to study if you’re tired because you worked late last night? Because personal
factors can present a significant challenge to performing well, Chapter 7 deals with addressing
personal obstacles.

Fixed This component includes variables unique to an individual that cannot be altered. This is the
Factors only aspect of performance that cannot be altered and includes items such as the first language
you learned, color-blindness, etc. While your performance as a learner is certainly affected by
fixed factors, it is a mistake to assume that your performance is constrained by these factors.

14 Foundations of Learning