Transformative Learning Teaching to change the world
Mar 22, 2016
Transformative Learning Teaching to change the world
Transformative learning
The “transforming of meaning perspectives” (Mezirow,
1978) “The process of making meaning from one’s own experiences” (Taylor, 1998)
It is “a deep, structural shift in basic premises of thought, feelings and actions”
(Kitchenham 2008)
Since you have been taking this course, do you believe you have experienced a situation when you realised that your values, beliefs, opinions or expectations have changed?
Briefly describe that experience. Do you know what triggered it? (adapted from King 2009)
Mezirow Perspective Transformation “As there are no truths or definitive knowledge, and because circumstances change, the human condition may be best understood as a continuous effort to negotiate contested meanings’’
2000:
Central constructs -‐ 10 phases or dynamics 1. A disorientating dilemma 2. A self-‐examination with feelings of guilt or
shame 3. A critical assessment of epistemic,
sociocultural, or psychic assumptions 4. Recognition of one’s discontent and the
process of transformation are shared and that others have negotiated similar change
5. Exploration of options for new roles, relationships and actions
6. Planning of a course of action 7. Acquisition of knowledge and skills for implanting one’s plans
8. Provisional trying of new roles 9. Building of competence and self-‐confidence in new roles and relationships
10. A reintegration into one’s life on the basis of conditions dictated by one’s perspective.
(Mezirow 1978) Mezirow in 1994 added “re-‐negotiating relationships and negotiating new relationships”
Four Levels in the phases Elaborating Existing Frames of Reference Learning New Frames of Reference Transforming Points of View Transforming Habits of the Mind
(Mezirow 2000)
Emergence of transformative learning
Unconscious Emotions
Gould disorientating dilemma
Dewey Experience participation
Freire
social action transformation
Political analysis
Stages
Basseches cognitive focus Kuhn paradigm shifts Blumer Meaning structures
Habermas critical reflection Social philosophy discourse
Strands of Transformative Theory
Freire Mezirow Boyd Daloz & Consciousness Critical Spiritual/ Brookfield
Raising reflection Emotional Motivation
Transformation Jungian
Social Perspective
What facilitates transformative learning? Learning experiences that are Direct, active, engaging , stimulates reflection on learning (Taylor 2007)
Involves § Critical reflection § Dialogue § Situated learning § Relationship ( King 2009)
What does it mean for Educators?
Use Classroom methods as learning contracts, group
projects, role play, case studies and simulations and to build trust, care and sensitive relationships between learners,
What it means for Educators Environment - Safe, Trust and Care Teachers as co-learners & role models Help learners in becoming aware and critical of
assumptions (their own and others) Provide learners practice in recognizing frames of reference Opportunities for discourse which involves assessing
beliefs, feelings, values To encourage equal participation
What does it mean for learners?
What it means for learners To welcome diversity and encourage collaboration (Mezirow, 1997).
To be critical of their own assumptions, to transform their frames of reference
To actively participate in discourse/discussion Learners willing to engage in activities that may lead to change/ transform
“Location, Location, Location’’ Context matters The learning must take place in a contextually relevant setting for the learner. Snyder (2008) Taylor (2003)
Cultural contexts
Botswana Motho ke motho ka batho ba bangwe, “I am because we are,”
Motho ke motho ka batho ba bagwe
‘’there is no self without the collective’’ Ntseane 2011
Importance of lifelong learning Relationship between citizenship,
community and lifelong learning Learning is a ‘’ lifelong process that could not be
separated from the rest of life’s activities. ….anyone who fails to learn is regarded as the living dead’’
(Avoseh adapted quote Merriam and Kim
2008:75)
What is problematic? No single model (different emphasis) Individualism & Rational thinking Importance of emotion, spirituality, as well as the rational/ cognitive
Assumption of liberation/ transformation as positive
Catalysts of transformative learning Need for ‘cultural sensitivity’ Not clear why transformation doesn’t happen
Questions for the group? § Should learning/ teaching involve perspective change ?
§ What can you do to facilitate perspective change?
§ Does change in an individuals perspective transformation always lead to socio-‐political change?
Online Resource http://issuu.com/murraywason/docs/transformative_ learning_theory_resource_pack/18 § Emergence of transformative learning
§ Central constructs
§ Relationship with other adult educational theories
§ Cultural contexts & transformative learning
§ Power relationships and transformation
§ Evaluating transformation
§ Instructional Strategies
§ Critical review of theory
References King, K (2009) Evolving research of transformational learning based on
the learning activities survey information Age publishing inc Charlotte UC
Kitchenham, A., 2008. The Evolution of John Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory: Journal of Transformative Education. Volume 6, Number 2., 104-123.
Merriam S.B & Ntseane G(2008) Transformational Learning in Botswana: How Culture Shapes the Process Adult Education Quarterly 2008 58 83-197
Mezirow, J., 1978. Perspective Transformation. Adult Education, 28, 100-110
Mezirow, J. (2000). Learning to think like an adult: Core concepts of transformational learning.In J. Mezirow and Associates (Eds.), Learning as transformation: Critical perspectives on a theory in progress (pp. 3-34). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
Mezirow, J., 2006. An Overview of Transformative Learning. In Sutherland, P. and Crowther J. (eds.), Lifelong Learning: Concepts and Contexts (pp.25-38). London and New York: Routledge
Ntseane P G ( 2011) Culturally Sensitive Transformational Learning: Incorporating the Afrocentric Paradigm and African Feminism Adult Education Quarterly 61(4) 307– 323
Snyder,C. (2008) Grabbing Hold of a Moving Target: Identifying and Measuring the Transformative Learning Process Journal of Transformative Education 6: 159- 181
Taylor, E.W., 1998. The Theory and Practice of Transformative Learning: A Critical Review. Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career and Vocational Education.