The OU course H800, moves on from the two metaphors offered by Sfard 1 to introduce a third metaphor: change-as-a-person based on research by Saljö 2 and Marton, Dall’Alba and Beaty 3.
This is explained as:
and introduces the concept of identity into the learning mix.
My personal experiences with learning would suggest that there is an element of being changed by learning. When I teach equality and diversity I also give the example of how meeting and learning about people from other cultures enriches your own life experience – ie changes you. I know that when I was younger life was much ‘simpler’ … things were either right or wrong. As I gained in experience I learned that this is not always so and there are many perspectives and interpretations of ‘facts’.
- Sfard, A. (1998) On Two Metaphors for Learning and the Dangers of Choosing Just One. Educational Researcher, 27 (2), pp.4-13. ↩
- Saljö, R. (1979) Learning in the Learner’s Perspective: 1. Some Common-sense Assumptions (Report No. 76), Göteborg, University of Göteborg, Institute of Education. ↩
- Marton, F., Dall’Alba, G. and Beaty, E. (1993) ‘Conceptions of learning’, International Journal of Educational Research, vol.19, pp.277–300. ↩