Transformational Learning


 


Transformational learning is a theoretical educational term that refers to a process


 whereby a learner re-evaluates past beliefs and experiences which had been


assimilated based on the assumptions of others.[1] Its study began with the work of Jack


Mezirow and is described as learning that results in deep changes in a learner and


produces a significant shift that impacts the learner’s subsequent experiences.[2]


 


Transformational learning changes a learner’s perspective in three dimensions: the


psychological, referring to the understanding of one’s self, the convictional, referring to


the alteration in one’s set of beliefs, and the behavioral, referring to the revision of one’s


lifestyle.[3] Crucial to transformational learning theory is the establishment and the


clarification of the learner’s prior assumptions and the development of strategies to


change them in conjunction with critical reflection on the validity of new concepts in


order to have a changed perspective and become an autonomous learner.[4]


 


Perspective transformation usually occurs after a disorienting dilemma  arising from a


crisis or major transition in life or from an accumulation of such factors over a period of


time and can also result from something learned from sources such as that of a teacher.


Significant for this type of learning is the basically rational changing of the learner’s


frames of reference by critical reflection of his/her beliefs and consciously planning and


executing actions that reflect such changes. Transformational learning is also seen by


others as a spiritual or emotional change, as in the experience of undoing and


transcending racist, sexist and other oppressive attitudes, in order to cope and make


sense of the world.[5]


Normally, people learn from instruction, study, observation and personal and other


people’s experiences. They continue to learn and refine their learning as they get older,


and I suppose most people have had transformational learning experiences at some


point in their lives or are in the process of resolving issues in their minds.


 


I am no different. I would consider my changing from a Catholic into a free-thinker in


matters of religious teaching and the concept of God as transformational learning. I


subscribe to free thought in that until there is conclusive and dispassionate scientific


evidence that is understandable and demonstrable in human terms on the validity of


Catholic doctrine, it is just one of a number of faiths or belief systems that may or may


not be true. It is entirely possible that only one faith is the true one, that all of these


faiths and their different variations are equally true and also that none of these are true.


The basic teachings of all faiths are excellent guidelines for living a moral and just life,


but not being affiliated with a particular or of any faith for that matter, does not translate


into having no moral principles.


 


I had a Catholic upbringing and believed in and practiced my faith until I finished high


school, after which I gradually doubted the infallibility of all of the church’s


pronouncements. I had what is termed by Mezirow as a disorienting dilemma, which is


the first phase in transformational learning. I had come to realize that I do not perceive


the presence of a personal God in my life or in the lives of other people. What I had


was having faith on something that I was instructed to have faith to without something


tangible to support it. Perhaps, faith is a distinct quality or a special gift that church


members possess, which I respect very much, but simply do not have.


 


The Christianization of the Philippines by Spain was an accident of history and the


manner in which the Spaniards colonized and administered the Philippines contradicted


the Catholic precepts they taught. In my view, this negates the moral ascendancy of the


introduced religion over other beliefs.


 


After my transformational learning, I am still guided by the church’s moral teachings, but


have ceased going to church, praying and participating in Catholic proceedings unless


they are practically required by circumstances.



 


[1] “Transformative Learning”, Wikipedia, 12 April 2011, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformative_learning> [accessed 20 May 2011]


[2] Sunny Cooper, “Jack Mezirow Transformational Learning”, Theories of Learning in Educational


Psychology, <http://www.lifecircles-inc.com/Learningtheories/humanist/mezirow.html>


[accessed 20 May 2011]


[3] “Transformative Learning”


[4] Michael Tsao et al, “Transformative Learning”, 7 January 2008,


<http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Transformative_Learning>  [accessed 20 May 2011]


[5] “Transformative Learning”



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