The first day of class, we were asked what we thought "training" and "learning" meant. I found this exercise quite interesting. I wasn't quite sure why at the time, but after giving it some thought it came to me: this was not a black and white question... this was a question of that "gray" area of personal interpretation that is mostly ignored in a structured educational environment.
As students, we are accustomed to memorizing definitions of terms and regurgitating those definitions to make a grade. My experience in school has been that when asked what a concept means, personal opinions or interpretations have no place. The definition in the text is what is accepted, and that is that. This model of learning is good for factual knowledge, but what happens when you need to apply that knowledge? A memorized definition can only take you so far in life...
I believe that the true test of the knowledge we have gained comes when we have to define a concept in our own words, or apply those concepts. Being asked to give our own definitions of "training" and "learning" was an eye opening exercise - and one that helped me connect the dots between the definition and the concept.
In class, we were first asked what our idea of "training" was. I defined training as learning or acquiring new skills through various means. Examples of these means could be (but are not limited to) lecture, technology, activities, or exploration. Then we were asked what we thought "learning" was. This definition didn't come to me quite as quickly, but I decided that my idea of learning was absorbing the information gained during training, to be able to put the information to use.
After the exercise, I noticed that in my definitions for both concepts I used the other term. Since the word "learning" was used in the "training" definition and vice versa, I wonder...
...is there really such a huge difference between Training and Learning?
Like any good TSTM student would, I turned to the web for advice. There, I found a good bit of discussion on the topic - and many of the articles ask the same question: What is the difference?
An article from the Fast Company website, titled "Education vs. Training vs. Learning" makes some interesting points about the concepts, such as whether we would want a surgeon to be well educated or well trained. In the end, the author admits to using the terms interchangeably and suggests that the difference between them does not make for a productive argument.
Another opinion I found was on a blog called "Library Bites." The post was in response to another article, and her argument was valid. On training and learning, she thinks "Training gets done to you. Learning is something an individual does themselves." She maintains that the terms are indeed two separate concepts and adds something that I think is quote-worthy:
As students, we are accustomed to memorizing definitions of terms and regurgitating those definitions to make a grade. My experience in school has been that when asked what a concept means, personal opinions or interpretations have no place. The definition in the text is what is accepted, and that is that. This model of learning is good for factual knowledge, but what happens when you need to apply that knowledge? A memorized definition can only take you so far in life...
I believe that the true test of the knowledge we have gained comes when we have to define a concept in our own words, or apply those concepts. Being asked to give our own definitions of "training" and "learning" was an eye opening exercise - and one that helped me connect the dots between the definition and the concept.
In class, we were first asked what our idea of "training" was. I defined training as learning or acquiring new skills through various means. Examples of these means could be (but are not limited to) lecture, technology, activities, or exploration. Then we were asked what we thought "learning" was. This definition didn't come to me quite as quickly, but I decided that my idea of learning was absorbing the information gained during training, to be able to put the information to use.
After the exercise, I noticed that in my definitions for both concepts I used the other term. Since the word "learning" was used in the "training" definition and vice versa, I wonder...
...is there really such a huge difference between Training and Learning?
Like any good TSTM student would, I turned to the web for advice. There, I found a good bit of discussion on the topic - and many of the articles ask the same question: What is the difference?
An article from the Fast Company website, titled "Education vs. Training vs. Learning" makes some interesting points about the concepts, such as whether we would want a surgeon to be well educated or well trained. In the end, the author admits to using the terms interchangeably and suggests that the difference between them does not make for a productive argument.
Another opinion I found was on a blog called "Library Bites." The post was in response to another article, and her argument was valid. On training and learning, she thinks "Training gets done to you. Learning is something an individual does themselves." She maintains that the terms are indeed two separate concepts and adds something that I think is quote-worthy:
The best learning happens by self-discovery, when two very important elements are present. In order for anyone to truly learn, they must beAfter reading some articles and thinking about my definitions, where do I stand on the training versus learning argument? Well, the answer is... in the gray. The terms seem to have a cyclical relationship to each other, making them hard to define. However, I'll try anything once... so here's what I think:
a) engaged in their own discovery process and
b) be motivated to learn.
and neither of these really require a "trainer." :)
- Overall, I believe that "training" and "education" are closely related concepts. Their use depends on the context.
- "Training" and "Education" are often (but not exclusively) the catalyst for "learning".
Laura,
ReplyDeleteExcellent discussion! Definitely quote-worthy--engagement and motivation, self-discovery. In the online environment, I would add the concepts of participant and presence. Motivation is probably inherently necessary for both participation and presence.
So training and education can be catalysts for learning. Does training or education need to be present for learning to occur?
Dr. Keane
Dr. Keane,
ReplyDeleteI fear I may sound like an Abbott and Costello routine trying to answer your question (who's on first!)... but here goes!
No, training or education do not need to be present for learning to occur. Like I said above, I think that they are often catalysts for learning, but they are not necessary steps to obtain the end result - learning.