Question

what are the key aspects of transformative learning theory

Answer 1

Transformative learning theory was introduced by Jack Mezirow. This theory emphasizes on the importance of personal experiences in learning theory. According to this theory it's the meaning that are attached to the personal experiences responsible for learning in an individual as it causes transformation of ideas, beliefs,or thoughts in the individual. The key aspects of transformative learning theory are :

• The four principles of transformative learning theory.
  • Learning occurs in two distinct forms that are:
    • Instrumental learning: learning that occurs by interpreting the cause and effect relationship of the various concepts. This type of learning is task based learning.
    • Communicative learning: when learning occurs through communicating the needs, thoughts and emotions between the individuals.
  • Learning occurs when there's a change in the existing perspective of the learner. The meaning of structures in an individual concerning a concept changes when learning occurs.
  • This change in perspective and meaning of structures occurs when learner applies reflection on the underlying ideas and thoughts.
  • Learning process comprises of elaboration or refinement of the existing schemas or structures, discovering new schemas, attaching new meanings to the existing schemas and experiences, and changing the perspective
• Basic components of transformative learning theory are;
  • Meanings: For a learning to occur there should be some meaning attached to that learning. This meaning is based on the personal experience of the learner. The three types of meaning that are attached to learning experiences are:
    • Socio-linguistic meaning or code: The effect of cultural values and norms on the schemas of an individual and the linguistic meaning attached to these social schemas.
    • Psychological meaning or code: The role of emotions, feelings and other psychological factors that play in learning .
    • Epistemic meaning or code: The validity that is assigned by the learner on the information that is learned or obtained and the meaning attached to it.
  • Reflective or critical thinking: When the learner able to reflects upon their learning experience and are able to change their existing schemas by adding new insights or meaning to them, transformative learning occurs. This makes the learner to be self aware of their learning needs to have an in-depth understanding of the concept that leads to effective learning. Thus, the transformation in the perspective of the learner occurs.