Learning Skills:

For those who wish to learn skills, one must have a clear understanding of what needs to be done before one can do something or ones not likely to get the results one desires. This reminds me of a story:

During a particularly busy day in heaven, a line had formed at the gates. There was a priest and minister in line so St. Peter called them to the front and said they could go back to the Earth and experience anything they wanted prior to admission into heaven. The minister said he would like to spend the next to weeks as an Eagle, since eagles have so much freedom. The priest decided that he would like to spend the next to weeks as a stud, since studs have so much fun. At the end of the time period, St. Peter asked one of his angels to go find the two religious men. The angel asked where he should look. St Peter replied, the minister will be easy to find, he is in the Rockies flying around as an eagle but it will take a little longer to find the priest since he is on a tire in upstate New York.”

Moral of the Story: You cant’ get what you want, unless you are clear about what you want

Learning Theory 1: Classical Conditioning

Made famous by the I. E. Pavlov who won the Noble prize in Medicine in 19xx, this behavioral learning theory explains how the mind learns to associate a stimulus and a response. The original experiment was focused on conditioning in dogs, thus you sometimes hear people talk about “Pavlov’s dogs.” But what works in dogs, works for people.

The theory explains why companies spend big time money on advertising for branding. We also learn why people learn phobias and how to be afraid of the craziest things. Unfortunately, classical conditioning impacts are often subtle, often beyond conscious awareness such as states of mind.

Learning Method 2: Observational Learning

“Lead by Example” Common saying United States Air Force

The colleges educated typically underestimate the importance of modeling. Being raised with books, they associate learning with the printed works. Of course, we do learn from books. Unfortunately, book learners tend to underestimate the power of observational learning. An so, many miss the advantages conveyed by using this technique.

“Monkey see, Monkey do” Heard by a harried mother describing the behavior of her four children

For those few individuals possessing keen powers of observation, they posses an incredible advantage. They are able to see people perform and incorporate words and learn skills by incorporating behavior into their behavioral repertoire. Some model there bosses, learning their persuasive and motivational skills. Others learn from the movies, installing sequences in their mind and body.

A fool never learns from mistakes,

A normal person sometimes learn from mistakes made,

The wise learn from the mistakes of others.

Murray Johannsen

Learning Method 3: Learning Skills Through Operant Conditioning

You can’t learn to swim by reading about it.” Henry Mintzberg

There are theories, and then there is THE THEORY. Operant conditioning (often called behavioral modification) is widely used, especially in American. It’s power lies in the understanding how to use positive and negative consequences. Elegant in its simplicity, a consequence can only do two things, increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

If we know how to change internal and external consequences, we have the ability to change behavior. It’s commonly used as part of a learning program to provide the motivation that drives skill acquisition.

Conclusion:

A number of theories explain how learning skills—for learning occurs on an number of different levels. Sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. Sometimes best explained through behavioral theories —sometimes cognitive ones. A college education is helpful in all fields but we must never forget that knowledge alone is not enough for success.

We must continuously learn how to turn knowledge into skill. True knowledge is better than ignorance; but knowledge is never enough. One must also know how to build skills. If one knows how to use each of these three techniques, you will be able to,

A Final Word . . .

Those who can do

Those who can’t do teach

Those who can’t teach, consultY

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