Grace in the Learning Gap

who can’t use a little “Grace in Learning Gap” Some patience for a mentor, teacher, co- co-worker.

What do I mean by grace? In other words, giving one favor, being courteous, forgiving

How about the Learning Gap? Generally speaking,  According to The Glossary of Education Reform. the learning gap refers to the relative performance of individual students—i.e., the disparity between what a student has actually learned and what he or she was expected to learn. 

crop person putting crumpled paper in box on woman
Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

In today’s society, we see a lot of impatience, a lack of others wanting to truly help each other. If you do ask for help you maybe get the response, Google that ____, or watch a YouTube.

Yes, that works, but sometimes we just need someone to be patient with us, be kind, hold our hand, and just sit with us to learn.

Which one of these questions resonates with you?

  • Do you feel like when you start learning something new, you should be an expert in 5 minutes?
  • You feel “less than”  if it’s you more than a few tries to start mastering a task?
  • Do you need to take time to learn at a slower pace than your peers?
  • You don’t comprehend spoken instructions?

I recently shared with my email subscribers this about my family history.

Growing up on our farm, my dad was a busy man, my mom was a busy woman…they would show us how to do something, a new task, and they really did expect us to understand how to do something immediately.  

Well, maybe they didn’t, but it sure felt that way when we didn’t perform to their form of excellence right away. 

As a child, I just felt like I wasn’t smart enough for much.  I didn’t realize that I was good at things until a few years ago.

Oh, the stories we allow to cook up in our own minds… ~Weezy

My parents would feel so bad if they knew that they made any of us feel that way.  As I said, they were busy.  They were true small business entrepreneurs.  They were running a farm.  24/7-365 days a week.

So many tasks went into just the everyday.  They needed us just to do what was needed. No time for instruction.

But learning in this style, it leaves some gaps

How Do You React to New Information?

I truly think much of my learning gaps were just stark anxiety… performance worry.  I was so anxious, my brain just couldn’t hear what was being said. I felt like I was in a vortex and they were speaking like Charlie Brown’s teacher…

  • So do you look down upon yourself if you don’t grasp things right away?
  • Accept the new information?
  • Ask questions or ask for more details?
  • Look up more information?

How did I overcome this?  Well like I said, I didn’t realize that I am a smart person until a few years ago.  

  1. I withdrew, and I read and studied what I wanted to learn about.  I discovered I was like a sponge for any information I wanted to learn about something new.
  2. I put my newfound knowledge into practice
  3. I watched videos in order to learn
  4. I did this at my own pace, in an environment where I could receive the information
  5. Asked for help when needed

And I quickly learned more and more.  In doing this I learned about good information and bad.

For example, good information in making tutorials on video.

In a lot of YouTube videos, people just talk about their content and move at a quick pace. making it hard to process all the information.

And that is why I have turned my business into a helping business for those that are slower adapters.  My videos do move at a slower pace when I am teaching, pointing out where things are, and how to find everything you might need to be successful in your new quest.

How do I help with the Learning Gaps?

I use the 3 P approach in my teaching method.

What are the 3 p’s?

  • Planning- take time to learn more about what you want to share. Make a list of points you want to share. Discover the sounds, locations, and props you may need.
  • Prepare -set up your location, get the right gear, and props you may need, block time on your calendar
  • Practice. Now take time to practice what you want to do and how to say it or demonstrate what you are doing

You can book a call here

There are natural progressions to learning.  So please do not get down and discouraged when you are a baby in a new world, you are not running with perfect strides at first.

Give yourself grace, time, and space to learn.

I find myself learning something new every day.  And I can assure you that it is not perfect the 1st time and probably not the 3 rd time.  But improvement shows up over time.

Tackling the Learning Gap

It’s great that you’re addressing the topic of learning gaps in your email. When discussing why some people learn slower than others and the natural steps to human learning, you might want to consider incorporating the following points:

  • Individual Differences: 
  • Highlight that people have diverse learning styles, preferences, and cognitive abilities. Emphasize that these individual differences contribute to variations in the speed of learning.
  • Cognitive Processes:
  •  Discuss the cognitive processes involved in learning, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving. Explain that differences in these processes can impact the pace at which individuals grasp new information.
  • Prior Knowledge: 
  • Acknowledge the role of prior knowledge and experience in learning. Individuals with more background knowledge in a particular area may learn more quickly compared to those starting from scratch.
  • Motivation and Interest: Stress the importance of motivation and interest in the learning process. People are likely to learn faster and retain information better when they are genuinely interested and motivated to learn.
  • Effective Teaching Methods: 
  • Discuss the significance of effective teaching methods. A well-designed curriculum, engaging instructional techniques, and a supportive learning environment can contribute to faster and more effective learning.
  • Practice and Repetition: 
  • Highlight the value of practice and repetition in reinforcing learning. Mastery of a skill often requires consistent and purposeful practice over time.
  • Feedback and Assessment: Mention the role of feedback and assessment in the learning process. Constructive feedback helps individuals identify areas for improvement and adjust their learning strategies accordingly.
  • Cultural and Environmental Factors: Consider the influence of cultural and environmental factors on learning. Societal expectations, access to resources, and cultural attitudes towards education can impact the learning experience.

By addressing these points, you can provide a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing learning speed and the natural steps involved in human learning. Feel free to structure your email around these ideas to create a well-rounded discussion on learning gaps.

Natural Progression of Learning

There are gaps in the learning process. There is a natural progression of learning.  I sharing The process of moving from learning something new to understanding the subject matter typically involves several key steps.

Here’s a general outline:

  • Exposure and Introduction:
    • Begin by exposing yourself to new information or skills.
    • Get a basic introduction to the subject matter to familiarize yourself with the key concepts.
  • Acquisition of Information:
    • Actively seek and acquire relevant information through various sources such as textbooks, lectures, online resources, or practical experiences.
    • Take notes and organize information to facilitate better understanding.
  • Conceptualization:
    • Work on understanding the fundamental concepts underlying the subject matter.
    • Identify the relationships between different concepts and how they contribute to the overall understanding.
  • Application:
    • Apply the acquired knowledge in practical scenarios or through problem-solving exercises.
    • Engage in hands-on experiences to reinforce theoretical concepts.
  • Critical Thinking:
    • Develop critical thinking skills by questioning and analyzing the information.
    • Evaluate different perspectives and interpretations of the subject matter.
  • Integration with Prior Knowledge:
    • Relate new information to your existing knowledge and experiences.
    • Recognize connections and patterns that may exist between the new subject matter and what you already know.
  • Continuous Practice:
    • Engage in regular practice to reinforce learning.
    • Apply the knowledge consistently over time to build mastery.
  • Feedback and Reflection:
    • Seek feedback from instructors, peers, or self-assessment.
    • Reflect on your understanding, identify areas for improvement, and adjust your learning strategies accordingly.
  • Discussion and Collaboration:
    • Discuss the subject matter with others to gain different perspectives.
    • Collaborate with peers to share insights and learn from each other.
  • Teaching Others:
    • Teach the concepts to someone else. Teaching is an effective way to solidify your understanding.
    • Articulating what you’ve learned helps reinforce the knowledge.
  • Assessment and Evaluation:
    • Participate in assessments or evaluations to gauge your comprehension.
    • Identify areas of weakness and focus on further improvement.
  • Real-World Application:
    • Apply the knowledge in real-world situations to test its practical relevance.
    • Adapt your understanding based on real-world experiences.

By following these steps, you can progress from the initial stage of learning something new to developing a deep and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Remember that understanding is an ongoing process; continuous engagement with the material enhances mastery over time.

If you would like to learn more, book time to learn more information about me and how Weezy can help. Don’t worry, there is no cost for 15 minutes.

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com

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