You must have heard term
‘transfer of learning’ in relation to classroom programs. Initially this term used to appeal to me.
But over a period of time I
started realizing a few things.
First, the term ‘transfer of
learning’’ gives a sense that you start thinking about how learning could be
transferred to workplace only once you have completed learning something. But I
consistently find that ‘learning’ and ‘application’ are not necessarily
different parts of process.
Rather, I find the notion of
tying together ‘learning’ and ‘application’ and approaching entire process
through lens of ‘relevance’ more powerful. I call this process ‘application of
learning’ and not ‘transfer of learning’.
Now you may say that I am talking
about ‘learning on the job’. That’s surely one aspect of it! But you can
simulate ‘applications’ in learning from others and learning in classroom
settings too.
Frankly, what I find consistently
is that source of learning can be anything – a great read, an insightful
conversation, observing someone inspirational, etc. Only important questions to ask are ‘how is
this relevant to my context? What are 2-3 things that I can take away and
implement?’.
So entire process needs to be
seen as an integrated one - with a focus on ‘relevant learning’ that leads to
‘relevant application’ –which in turn leads to desired ‘outcomes’. Secondly,
you need to start seeing learning possibilities in any situation/experience.
Once you were to build a
discipline around, you might start finding that your ‘learnability’ has
significantly improved.
-
Sourav
