Adult Learning and Development by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-135-68636-9
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Manifestation of Epistemological Beliefs in Adult Education, Employment, and Everyday Life

These potential roles of epistemological beliefs have a multitude of implications in learning at school or training on the job. Epistemological beliefs may be the critical factors that distinguish between individuals that we would want to be on our workforce and those that we don’t want. Think about students who seek single answers, in spite of the fact that you just got through saying that the issues are complex. Think of the students who insist that there is an ultimate, unchanging answer, when you just got through saying that the problems of poverty change from generation to generation. Think of the students who forever wait until the night before the test to study. Think about the employee who does not respond to training. They constantly make mistakes in their work and retraining does not help. When left on their own, they slip back into their old, inadequate routine.

Epistemological beliefs may contribute to the quality of service you receive in everyday life. Think about the times you order a pizza that is different from what is on the standard menu. Inevitably you get the standard pizza toppings anyway. Think about how many times you have to keep bringing you car back to the garage because the car mechanics never got it fixed. You swear that their approach to problem solving is following a cookbook approach instead of reflecting on the detail and complexities of your car problem. Think about the doctor who half listens to your symptoms and then recommends a quick, simple, routine solution for your problem. Often a simple drug is considered a quick solution without regard to any unique issues of your health problems. The consequence is that you experience all the side effects of the drug and none of the benefits. In short think about the simple-minded, inflexible, shallow thinkers you’ve met in your life.

In contrast, one hopes everyone has experienced the learner who is completely engrossed in their studies. They are eager to persist until clarity is achieved in understanding or until a complete solution to the problem is found. Think of the learners who can appreciate ambiguity and embrace complexity. Think of the doctor who patiently listens and carefully prescribes solutions that are crafted for you as an individual. Or the doctor that will persist in trying to find an answer for you instead of telling you that “It’s all in your mind.” Think about the car mechanic that takes his or her time to do quick checks on solutions before actually carrying them out. Think about the customer service person who listens to your entire problem and searches out resolutions beyond the simple default answers he or she uses everyday. In short, think about the thoughtful, persistent, and independent people you have met. These potential implications of epistemological beliefs are akin to the practical intelligence described by Torff and Sternberg in this volume. Indeed, it may be that epistemological beliefs are a component

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