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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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