Wellness Calendar: Wednesday 8 October

Stages of learning

Educational psychologist William Perry came up with the idea that we go through different stages of learning. The further the progression of stages, the greater the chance to deepen and expand our learning. You may wish to read through Perry’s stages and see if you can apply your own learning experiences to it.

(1) I accept what someone is saying as the absolute truth because they’re a figure of authority and therefore wise and powerful. They may be a teacher, a parent, a politician, a preacher. If I think a person is right, everything they say must be right.

(2) I reckon that if someone has studied something for a long time, then they’re an expert in that field and are therefore likely to know what they’re talking about, whereas anyone else who speaks on that subject is unlikely to know what they’re talking about.

(3) I believe that some things remain unknown to everyone, even geniuses who are looking to find the answers.

(4) I’m aware that those in positions of authority try to make people think the way they want them to think, and it has nothing to do with right or wrong. Everyone has a right to their own opinions.

(5) I believe that there’s no right or wrong. Everything is open to interpretation. Everything is relative. Everything depends on the situation and the circumstances.

(6) The knowledge I come up with myself is more important and more valuable to my own life than the knowledge I get from, say, teachers, parents and authorities.

(7) I trust my own self-knowledge. I’m able to develop a more authentic identity, just as I’m able to develop my own beliefs, my own values and my own morality.

(8) Some of my beliefs and opinions contradict each other, but I’m fine with this. Dealing with conflicting pieces of information is how I get to learn at a greater depth.

(9) I believe in what I believe in. You believe in what you believe in. I respect your beliefs. I’m flexible enough to listen to you – I might even change my mind if you present a convincing argument.

Do you see yourself in any of these stages?

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