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The Learning Curve
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Mehreen
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Jan 13, 2017 01:49AM
What teaches us better, classrooms or real life experience?
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Real life experience, hands down.
Not sure it's about 'better' or 'worse', it's just different stuff. In college, for example, you learn academic background and theories, but only through internship (when required) and engaging in real activity one acquires profession .......... Arguably, you can skip the classroom - what's this movie with Leonardo, where he pretends to be a pilot, never attending any courses and then manages to land the plane, when something happens to the first pilot? -:)
Every so often we hear stories about 'doctors' or 'lawyers', who after many years of practice turn out to be imposters...
Theory and experiential learning are both equally important, whether in a classroom or not.
In my opinion, experience without theory means no understanding, and hence the solution that worked once stats to be used everywhere, even when it is painfully wrong. On the other hand, theory without experience simply means a lack of ability to recognise what is required when, and of course the inability to execute properly. You need both, but you need the theory first.
Ian wrote: "In my opinion, experience without theory means no understanding, and hence the solution that worked once stats to be used everywhere, even when it is painfully wrong. On the other hand, theory with..."
I would disagree with that, Ian. Even if you don't know the theory, if you are intelligent enough, you can deduce things and learn with practice. That was how old artisans learned. For example, the Middle Ages blacksmiths who produced masterly pieces of weapons and armor never had theoretical classes in metallurgy, chemistry or engineering and were often illiterate. They learned from practice under the supervision of masters who were equally illiterate and had also learned from trial and error and lots of practice.
I would disagree with that, Ian. Even if you don't know the theory, if you are intelligent enough, you can deduce things and learn with practice. That was how old artisans learned. For example, the Middle Ages blacksmiths who produced masterly pieces of weapons and armor never had theoretical classes in metallurgy, chemistry or engineering and were often illiterate. They learned from practice under the supervision of masters who were equally illiterate and had also learned from trial and error and lots of practice.
Michel wrote: "Ian wrote: "In my opinion, experience without theory means no understanding, and hence the solution that worked once stats to be used everywhere, even when it is painfully wrong. On the other hand,..."I believe Ian's point still stands if you accept the fact that theory is not always learned in a formal classroom. It is the same practice you speak of that formulates, tests and validates or invalidates theory. Even naturally gifted people can not function or excel without theory - they are simply better at arriving at it organically.
When one looks at the Mayan civilisation, they didn't have these maths theories but by simple observation of the planets managed to build a time calculation model extremely close to what our modern scientists came up with. Newton came up with the theory of gravitation by observing. What we learn in classrooms is how to build a valid mental framework, no more no less!!!
Bernard wrote: "When one looks at the Mayan civilisation, they didn't have these maths theories but by simple observation of the planets managed to build a time calculation model extremely close to what our modern..."In my opinion, it is saying the same thing in different ways. There can be no theory without observation. It still goes back to a belief system built on quantified or at least qualified data borne out of a need for explanations. Theory.
Tara wrote: "In my opinion, it is saying the same thing in different ways. There can be no theory without observation. It still goes back to a belief system built on quantified or at least qualified data borne out of a need for explanations. Theory."I don't think ther Mayan back then used the word theory. LOL
Michel, I may not have expressed myself as well as I would like. I meant by "theory" what you are taught or shown, and through nothing you have done yourself. The artisan sword-maker may not have known much about formal metallurgy, but he might well say, "Iron from around Damascus makes the best steel for swords." He does not know why, but he knows the fact. (Reason - Damascus steel has some vanadium as an impurity.) He would know how much charcoal to put around the ore, and he would know how long the sword should be beaten between the water immersions, and he would know how many water immersions. I would call that "theory", even though it has nothing in common with modern theory. Even back to stone knappers, the correct choice of flint, and the correct striking angles would be told to the apprentice. That is the theory, and if you don't believe there is theory, or knowledge there, try knapping flint some time. You might be surprised how difficult it is. However, I can see what I wrote could have been misleading.
Bernard wrote: "Tara wrote: "In my opinion, it is saying the same thing in different ways. There can be no theory without observation. It still goes back to a belief system built on quantified or at least qualifie..."Indeed lol, same process though :)
I don't think there's a "right" or a "wrong" about this, there's a whole host of "it depends".Firstly, it depends on what needs to be learned. For some things, just getting your hands dirty might be the best way, but would you really want someone to practice brain surgery on you without first knowing what they're doing?
Secondly, it depends on your own learning style. I have a strong preference for at least some theory first and learn best in a classroom setting with the opportunity to think things through and ask questions. That's just how I tick.
Ultimately, I think you need a bit of both.
Michel wrote: "Ian wrote: "In my opinion, experience without theory means no understanding, and hence the solution that worked once stats to be used everywhere, even when it is painfully wrong. On the other hand,..."Intuition precedes knowledge and application. The first human/s had nothing given to them. They made things from nothing.
Internet is the biggest classroom these days.... Almost any theory - in seconds and lots of youtube films on 'how-to'
