Learning is a Team Sport
Learning is often thought of as an individual pursuit, but it is actually a team sport. In order to learn, we don’t need to lock ourselves up in a room but instead, we need to open it up!
There are four key players in the learning process: ourselves, our peers, our seniors, and experts.
We are at the center, surrounded by our peers, who are in turn surrounded by our seniors, and finally, by experts. Each circle represents a different level of knowledge and experience, and each has something unique to contribute to our learning. Here is how you can make the most of these 4 players:
You
It might sound counter intuitive to have yourself on this list - but you know yourself and your context the most! Which in a way makes you your expert.
You can define why you need to learn better than anyone else can.
You are the end user - so keep questioning whether something is working for you or not. User centricity ftw eh?
Peers
Peers, are at a similar level of knowledge and experience as ourselves. Peers are often going through the same experiences as us and can provide different perspectives and insights.
They can challenge our assumptions, learn from their experiences, and develop new ideas.
They can also provide the necessary support - making us feel less alone in the learning process
They are also great accountability buddies - helping you build that learning habit
Seniors
Seniors are people that are ahead in their learning journey. They know more, understand more and have ‘been there, done that.”
Seniors can be great mentors - they can provide guidance, support, and encouragement
For people who are new to a field or who are looking to develop new skills, the experiences of seniors can give valuable insights
Experts
Experts, on the other hand, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. These are people who have spent years building and creating knowledge - forming their own opinions of the topic.
They can help us develop a deeper understanding of a subject.
They can also be great facilitators and help learn something in a structured manner
Caveat
It is important to note that the roles of these players are not fixed, and can change over time. As we continue to learn and develop our skills, we may find ourselves taking on the role of a mentor for others, or becoming an expert in our field. Similarly, our peers may become our seniors, and our seniors may become our peers.
By embracing these shifting roles, we can develop a more dynamic and supportive learning environment. We can learn from each other's experiences, share our knowledge and insights, and work together to achieve our goals. This not only benefits us as individuals, but also helps to build stronger and more resilient communities.
In order to facilitate this collaborative learning environment, it is important to create opportunities for interaction and engagement between the different players. This can be done through mentorship programs, collaborative projects, peer-to-peer learning, and other initiatives. By fostering these types of connections, we can build a culture of learning that is both inclusive and effective.
Summary
Learning is not a solitary pursuit, but rather a collaborative effort. By recognising the different roles that each player can fulfil, we can create a learning environment that is both supportive and effective.
Overall, each of the four key players in the learning process - ourselves, our peers, our seniors, and experts - has something unique to contribute. By recognizing the different roles that each can fulfill, we can create a learning environment that is both collaborative and effective.