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There was a gathering of educators from
around the world brought together to
explore the improvement of student
learning. Also invited was a wise man
known as a world teacher who was asked
to share his thoughts and perceptions
with the group. There was a buzz among
the educators, for it was known that the
wise man had a unique understanding on
the subject, and he was considered the
foremost authority on the
characteristics operating in the
learning process.
Everyone gathered in a semi-circle
around a slightly raised platform with a
single chair on it. The wise man entered
the room and proceeded to the platform.
He began the discussion by asking, “Are
you aware of all the different words we
use interchangeably when we converse
about learning? Have you given any
consideration to how much confusion is
created when we are not able to
distinguish these differences within the
language we use to refer to the learning
process? I should like to begin with
this, if that is acceptable to
everyone.”
He continued, “It appears that there
exits two different paths of learning,
and these two paths offer different
perspectives and purposes. These two
pathways are Mechanical Learning if you
will, as well as Holistic Learning. The
distinct differences between them will
become self evident as we proceed. Let
me say up front that the best possible
use is a union between them, where each
function operates independently by their
designs, but in harmony or unison with
one another.”
At this point a questioner asks “Sir,
how can there be only two ways to learn
when we have so many types of learning?
We have knowledge, education,
information, genius, intelligence, and
wisdom, all of which represent
learning.”
The wise man answered, “Yes this is
true, but they all end up on one of the
two paths of learning. If one examines
more closely, for instance, mechanical
learning, you will see that it
essentially consists of three
features—education, knowledge, and
information. What is inferred here in
mechanical learning is the acquisition
and accumulation of specific knowledge,
targeted learning, and specialized
training. Do you follow?”
Questioner—“Maybe it would become
clearer if we could address and explore
the meaning of these three features.”
“Yes, I agree that is the way to
proceed,” answered the wise man. “What
does it mean to be educated? What are
the characteristics of an educated
individual? Surely, to be educated means
being persuaded or conditioned to feel,
believe, and act in a desired way. One
is taught, and tested to see if they
memorized correctly. One is educated in
a career in order to make a living. This
is what education is today in the world.
Do you see?
Now knowledge is what one acquires while
being educated. The process of
studying—making something known to
you—through the use of instruction and
memorization. One might say that being
knowledgeable is the outcome of being
educated. You could say it’s the
accumulation of information, facts,
figures, and the like, or the results of
filling the brain with content. Is that
not so?
Along the same line there is
information—the gathering together of
content through resources,
investigations, examination, and
communication, with the intent of
converting it to knowledge. We become
well versed and polished in the
gathering of information and subsequent
transformation into more knowledge. Am I
being clear? Do you see the relationship
they have to one another and their
mechanical operation?”
Questioner—“Sir are you saying that
although they have different labels, the
three features combined are of similar
intent, and mechanical in nature, so
therefore considered mechanical
learning?”
“Yes, I think that’s quite clear”,
responded the wise man. “They have roots
by their very nature in mechanical
acquisition—hence mechanical learning.”
“Shall we move on to the next
path—Holistic Learning?” asked the wise
man. “The nature of holistic learning is
to make whole, which suggests a
boundless quality. It is of the
cosmos—the collective learning of the
human mind throughout all of human
history. This learning takes place
outside the boundaries of mechanical
learning. Holistic learning can include
mechanical learning in its
considerations, but mechanical learning
does not lend it self to holistic
learning. The essence of holistic
learning lies in the discovery of truth
and reality. We access it through
reflection, interaction, insight,
attention, and meditation.”
Questioner—“Are there features
specifically associated with this path
of learning as well?”
The wise man explained further, “Yes,
there are three features associated with
the path of holistic learning and they
are genius, intelligence, and wisdom.
Let us begin with genius, which is
associated with a special capacity,
aptitude, or giftedness acquired at
birth. Its characteristics include a
very high degree of ability and
exceptional talent.
The second feature in holistic learning
is that of intelligence. This
intelligence has a cosmic quality, and
represents the cumulative and collective
mind of humanity since the beginning of
time. This intelligence retains the
ability to understand and comprehend the
whole, and its constituent parts,
simultaneously. Emotional intelligence
is also one of the qualities under the
umbrella of this intelligence we are
referring to. To access this
intelligence requires the capacity of
attention, and the depth of thought and
wisdom.
Wisdom is the third feature of holistic
learning. One may observe that with
wisdom comes an exceptional level of
inner knowing, even if you aren’t aware
of why or how you know, your knowing is
of this holistic nature. Oftentimes
profound insights are also involved, as
well as a sense of enlightenment. Other
qualities often associated with wisdom
are clear thinking, and the sanity that
brings a sense of stability. It is the
ability to see reality clearly, while at
the same time seeing the illusion that
people generally pass off as reality.”
Questioner—“I feel I’m getting a sense
of the differences between the paths—but
could you speak to the relationship
between them?”
The wise man sat quietly for a moment
and then responded, “To get a clearer
picture of the relationship of the two
paths, we could say that mechanical
learning is but one tool of holistic
learning. In our society we place the
bulk of our educational emphasis on
mechanical learning, as though that’s
all there is or all that is important.
I challenge that position and suggest
that mechanical learning should—how you
say—be second fiddle to holistic
learning. You may think of it as the
proverbial cart-and-horse. To facilitate
the full potential of their
relationship, think of mechanical
learning as a car’s construction and
mechanical operations, and think of
holistic learning as understanding the
importance of mechanical operations, but
also in conjunction with that it is
learning how to drive, learning to read
maps, the importance of safety, and the
different uses of different vehicles. As
one becomes familiar with the
differences between the paths the better
equipped you become at experiencing the
full range of human experience.”
The wise man closed with, “It is
important that we don’t divide the two
processes, as in pitting one, against
the other. As we said earlier, it comes
down to the relationship between the
two. They each have a separate and
distinct role, like that of husband and
wife, they are both integral to the
relationship, marriage, is the
partnership between husband and wife. I
hope I’ve been clear with you?”
V.P. Mosser
©2001-2008 V.P. Mosser
You're welcome to use this article in
your Ezine or website as long as you
include this blurb.
Successful entrepreneur, V.P. Mosser is
the creator of the Learn the Lessons
Series, the Life's Journey publication
and numerous thought-provoking articles.
To learn more and receive free chapters
or issues, visit http://www.learnthelessons.com
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