Module 5: Learning Metaphor

Learning is like an inexperienced runner training for a marathon.

At first, you have no idea what you’re doing. You start to run, but you may not have correct form; you tire easily and may even injure yourself. You need lots of encouragement and guidance from your trainer or other advisor. Then, as your endurance and experience builds, you are able to take off on your own, going for longer and longer runs.

This metaphor ties in ideas from William James, Constructivism, and self-regulation. In learning, at first we often need more guidance, we need help obtaining those “acquired reactions” that will serve us best. Our teachers, parents, and other mentors give us verbal and non-verbal feedback as to our progress, and provide the challenges for further growth and development. They reinforce the desired behaviors and outcomes that are espoused by the culture. As we develop, we are more able to draw from our store of experiences and turn to ourselves for a read of our own progress and to evaluate what is working and what is holding us back. We know about our favorable learning conditions, and we can take it upon ourselves to create those conditions. From there, we can take off on our own, pursuing our own learning, challenging ourselves and coming to our own conclusions.