It's up to you!

“If honest, however, we will acknowledge that insights are not always desired on our part. Insight makes demands we may be unwilling or unable to meet. Henri Nouwen observes that for learning to be a redemptive process one has to consider first whether one wants insight.” [Excerpt From: Richard E. Brewer. “Living into the Journey with God.]

As a teacher, I was always concerned when student didn't learn, and would try approaching the same information from another angle, perhaps hands-on, perhaps in a group, perhaps using drama, whatever I could think of that would help that student learn and perhaps cement the information for another. And that works in elementary school!

But what about adults and adult learning? We no longer have report cards, no longer have expectations to be met before we can go on to the next level, no longer are we expected to keep up with our friends. And yes, some of us live for our complete adult lives satisfied with what we already know. We might learn some new skills that are required on the job or to use the newest digital device. However if there is no monetary payback, then it doesn’t seem to be high on our list of priorities.

Over the past eight years I have been involved in myriad situations involving adult learning - both my own and others. And I have ofter wondered just why it is that some adults absorb more readily the new ideas being disseminated today. Indeed, some almost seem like sponges soaking up whatever new information is presented. Then there are the others, probably the majority, who even after the information has been presented in many different ways, still don’t ‘get it’!

I have often thought about this phenomenon and now thanks to the above quote by Henri Nouwen, I have an answer, and it is an answer that that takes the responsibility from me as the teacher/mentor and puts it back [where it belongs, apparently!!] on the adult student.  According to Nouwen, adults have to want the insights that are being presented. They have to be ready to meet the demands that these insights will make on their lives, to be aware that new insights will cause change, and that the change will not necessarily be minor.  Without that desire being present, these new insights will not be accepted as part of who we are. Unfortunately, increased insight is not usually high on our list of priorities!

So the next time you find yourself saying that you prefer the old way of thinking about a subject, just ask yourself why you feel that way. Is the old way really the better way - or it is perhaps that you do not want to change with the insights that come with the new information out there? It’s your choice!