Transformative Learning

Jack Mezirow

I have been inspired by the course I'm currently taking, to revisit a topic that I found consuming and fascinating when I was studying adult learning theories. Transformative Learning was responsible for one of my major Aha! moments during my course of studies back then. I couldn't get enough of it, and immediately applied it in my instructional approach. Considering social constructs (discussed in another part of this blog) forms part of my understanding of this seemingly complicated yet naturally beautiful theory proposed by Jack Mezirow.


Think of an open field of grass...

A vast, expansive area of beautiful, lush greenery looming before you. You run through the grass, barefoot, experiencing the sensation of the blades of grass as they pass between your toes, gently tickling you in a soothing and satisfying way. The smell of the grass gently hangs in the air, and the soft dampness cools your feet as you run. Exhausted, you lay down in the field, staring up at the blue sky and cotton wool clouds above your head. Your mind forms shapes from the clouds, stirring memories and entertaining you all at the same time. The tufts of grass form a pillow, upon which you slowly fall asleep with a smile on your face and childish thoughts in your head.

Or...

You run through the grass, panicking and terrified. Your breathing becomes harder and harder as you realise you can't outrun the animal that is chasing you. You know what will happen if you are caught, and the thoughts become too gruesome to bear thinking. Adrenalin fuels your already-burning muscles, as your brain races to find a solution. Your eyes search for a safe haven - a cave, a tree, or perhaps a weapon to fight back. You hear the pounding of the animal's pads in the dirt, gaining ground and driving your fear to screaming point. Suddenly, you feel the blow of the animal's paws on your back... powerful, oppressive, sending you to the ground in searing pain as the claws rake the skin from your back. Your face lands in the dirt, and your lungs and mouth are filled with dry grass and dust. You role over and finally face your foe, feeling the ultimatum that is your fate. Suddenly there is no more pain, just a warm, glowing sensation that overwhelms every nerve in your body. You close your eyes as the memories of your life flash through your mind. Finally, peace comes to your body and you are no longer afraid. You rest, wrapped in everlasting silence.


Both of these stories demonstrate a reality for someone. We started with a field of grass. We can all picture a field of grass. But the meaning associated with that artifact can be as different as the two stories. Neither perception takes away from the other in validity. But how do you teach the fear of the second story to someone whose understanding of a field of grass belongs to the first story? How do you persuade someone who has experienced the second story that the first story is also a reality... an alternative reality.

We should never take away from someone the validity of their experience. But we need to learn to teach in such a way that our learner's can accept, if only academically, both stories as part of their understanding and knowledge arsenal. Applying Transformative Learning to our instructional process can help broaden the knowledge base of any learner. I have found Transformative Learning also increases the quality of a learner's perception of what is being instructed.

In language acquisition, we must, as teachers, take into account the perceptions of the students as they relate to various artifacts of their world. We need to gather as much knowledge of other cultures, perceptions, and values to help us to see the world the way our students do.

As learners, we need to understand that there is always more than one way to understand something, and that this does not mean that either view is false.

How's your view of the world today?