Transformational Learning (TL) Jack Mezirow Transformational Learning (TL) Karissa Glass

Transformational learning: Jack Mezirow Transformational learning: Idea of people changing the way they interpret their experiences and their experiences with the world. To “transform” the view of oneself, the world, or how they interact with people and the environment around them. Late 70s early 80s 83 adult women Reentry program to college after a long break 12 programs across the states: Washington, California, New York, and New Jersey In-depth interviews The women had undergone changes in their perspectives as a result of their experiences upon reentering college.

Developmental process TL is a perspective transformation in which the student critically examines their past interpretations to create a new meaning to go along with what they are experiencing. “A structural change in the way we see ourselves and our relationships.” Developmental process Process of using past interpretations to create a new meaning or edit a past meaning of one’s experiences so they can direct future actions. Attempts to explain how our expectations, which are included in our cultural presuppositions, directly influence the definitions we get from experiences. 3 common themes Centrality of experience Critical reflection Rational discourse

10 phases of TL Disorienting dilemma Self-examination Conducting a critical assessment of internalized assuptions and feeling a sense of alienation from traditional social expectations Relating discontent to the similar experiences fo others – seeing that the problem is shared Exploring options for new ways of acting Building competence and self-confidence in new roles Planning a course of action Acquiring the knowledge and skills for implementing a new course of action Trying out new roles and assessing them Reintegrating into society with the other perspective

Habermans’ communicative theory Instrumental learning Communicative learning Perspective transformation Meaning structures Meaning schemes Signs of our habits that effect a particular behavior Meaning perspective Often attained uncritically in childhood through socialization When these are challenged it brings us to phase one of the ten phases of TL

Ways to stimulate TL in the classroom The life experiences of the student give a starting point for transformational learning in the classroom. Environment for TL Full information Free from coercion Equal opportunity to assume particular roles Become critically reflective of assumptions, empathetic, and good listeners Willing to look for common ground or synthesis of different points of view Ways to stimulate TL in the classroom Journal writing Metaphors Life history exploration Learning contracts Group projects Role play Case studies Literature to stimulate critical consciousness TL comes about in discussion and exploration of ideas relating to these kinds of experiences

Works Cited Cooper, Sunny. "Jack Mezirow Transformational Learning." Theories of Learning in Educational Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2015. <http://www.lifecircles- inc.com/Learningtheories/humanist/mezirow.html>. "Transformative Learning Theory— An Overview." calpro- online.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2015. <http://www.calpro- online.org/eric/docs/taylor/taylor_02.pdf>. "Transformative Learning: What is Transformative Learning?." UCO.edu. UCO, n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2015. <https://www.uco.edu/academic- affairs/cettl/TLGuideFiles/2012-03-tl.pdf>.