At the beginning of this program, we were given a tool to measure the way we learn. The four styles were: experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and doing. We completed a questionaire which ranked us based on our answers.
When the results were transferred to a graphical representation, I quickly saw some my areas of strength, and weakness. Generally a person of extremes, the odd shape of my graph reinforced what I believed to be true about myself. I experience, I think, and so I learn. I have traditionally restricted myself to activities where these learning strengths would be best used – most notably, the Arts.
My experience over the past six weeks has radically altered my perspective.
I have been forced to learn new things, and am finding that I am best learning those new things through methods which I have experienced and been told are beyond my natural preference.
I’m beginning to believe in DOING.
To get your hands dirty isn’t always looked upon as the best way to apply yourself to gaining post-graduate knowledge. However, it IS a great way.
Getting into an excel file to analyze some statistics, starting into a real job analysis to determine competencies, or putting yourself on the pitch to learn how to play cricket may be the best way to learn in those situations.
Don’t limit yourself to what other’s, a test, or even your own experience has told you you need to learn. Get in and get dirty. Or if that’s your natural way, get out and start listening, looking, thinking or reading.
I will not let myself be limited to the boxes I’ve placed myself in in the past.