Adult learning

Reading the last chapter in learning in adulthood made me reflect on where I am myself in my own learning. Bateson, on page 430, laments the fact that learning for adults is often studied as this compartmentalized activity that does not seemed to be recognized as an integrated facet of adult life. I would have to agree. It seems another way of erroneously intermingling childhood learning , which certainly is compartmentalized in formal education systems, with adult learning. Bateson makes the point that learning occurs every day within common tasks that adults perform.

I would have to agree. I was recently asked to participate in a focus group at work in which the purpose was to gain a better understanding of the development needs of HR personal. While some in the group saw that as gaining certifications in various areas, my interests were less in formal programs and more in experiences where I can learn more about the business I support. As an instructional designer, I have to focus not only on my core craft, but learn as much about the industry that I’m working in to be as effective as I can at my job. For the past 5 years, every day was almost a mini-medical school for me as I worked with individuals running clinical trials. In my new position, I am learning manufacturing from all facets – engineering, operating and planning. Not a day passes where I do not learn something new and it doesn’t require any kind of formal program to do so. In fact, a formal program would probably hinder, not help, my learning, since I would not be able to direct my own learning and it would not be experience based.

After reading this chapter, I also began to think that one of the key differences between children and adults learning is reflection. Merriam emphasized experience as a key difference, but it seems to me that the increase of experience is just a trigger for the increased reflection that occurs. I also find myself nearing my mid-thirties and after dealing with my own health issues, losing a parent, supporting a sibling through 2 divorces and almost losing my best friend in child birth this year, doing far more critical reflection than I would have just a couple of years ago. I personally think I’m a bit ahead in the time table than my peers and feel like I’m at a point that most people don’t reach until their 40’s, according to Kegan, in terms of dialectal thinking (Merriam, 433).

Horizontal violence

Rather than dealing with a boss for a bully, what about a co-worker who is a bully? That is pretty much the concept of horizontal violence. It seems fairly ironic that it is rampant in nurses. Nurses? Aren’t they supposed to be rather caring and nurturing people? Huh?

In one tale I read, an inexperienced nurse was having a difficult time separating her emotions from her patients. Other nurses belittled her, instead of trying to give her tips on how to handle. In my last job, I think about a quarter to half of the people I worked with had been health care professionals of some sort – nurses, technicians, pharmacists. And I do have agree that it was the nurses I heard the most tell their war stories and talk about all the idiots they worked with. One former nurse was so awful to me, I had to call in 4 other co-workers just to help me deal with her at a meeting. I remember someone saying to me after the meeting “Just because she got dumped on by doctors doesn’t mean she should do it to you…”

Although you never know the full story. It made me think of times where there have been co-workers struggling and I have been not so helpful myself. I don’t think I have ever called someone names or used very critically aggressive tactics that the aforementioned nurse used on me, but I know one person I lost all patience with. Why? They never followed through on any of their commitments, would be very passive aggressive to you when you confronted them, could not have been depended on for anything and caused extra work for everyone in the department. This person drove everyone nuts and it was pretty clear that he didn't enjoy his job and wasn't a good fit. We really all wanted him to quit and maybe that nurse struggling with her emotions was cut out for the job int he first place. The funny thing he was a nice guy – just completely inept at his job. Is that horizontal violence? I have rarely encountered situations where someone who was doing their job well was gossiped about or belittled. I should not use this as a justification, but if someone is getting treated poorly by their peers, there’s usually a reason, other than people being mean…