Defining Dilemma
A dilemma begins the first step of transformative learning. It occurs when we discern a need for change so vividly that we must choose one of three alternatives: (1) giving up a goal, (2) repeating habits that have problematic results, or (3) undertaking the arduous process of changing to a new, more complex approach.
The precipitating factor is sometimes a single event with such distinctively negative consequences that we cannot forget it. Alternatively, it may be a series of events where the negative outcomes are less easily discerned, but emerges gradually and inexorably as resulting in increasing dissatisfaction.
An example of a distinctive event was the day that I complained to my students about their lack of understanding of the differences between rats and humans, and one of them responded that they needed more experience with humans; should start a nursery school. I realized that she was right to imply that talk and tests were not enough to help them understand. An example of an emerging factor is weight gain.
Improve your mind
Have more fun every day
Keep work and life in balance
Become more secure
Get help with what we cannot do alone
Learn what we might do next
Preserve practices that we admire
Four Rules that keep our guide2expertise matrices easy to understand and remember
Meaningful: Because everyone experiences travel, our matrix theme helps to connect our new ideas to common experience.
Grouping: We use two to five terms in a group to make them easy to remember. If we need 6 or more, we either divide the group or create a meaningful acronym.
Keywords: We underline words that we use many times, provide hover-over definitions, and list them in the glossary.
Collaboration: We provide a response form. If we have enough responses to a particular term, we will summarize them and create a link to the summary in the glossary.
Discern the expertise of others.
Choose collaborators more effectively.
Learn whether people who have some expertise have also missed some important goals.
Modes versus Memes
Modes and Memes are similar in that both obey evolutionary principles like the succession model. They differ in that new memes are acquired by imitation with little learning, while new modes are acquired by transformative learning.