Importance Of An Concrete Experience

Concrete Experience

A few years ago I was able to partake in an interesting learning experience. This particular event took place during my three-week stay at Georgetown University in which my group was able to partake in a week long international relations course. This course included my group of 44 students as well as over 100 students from across the country. At the beginning at the program, my group was relatively excited to take the course. We were eager to learn about a new field and at the same time showcase our talents for our mentors. Unfortunately, our excitement quickly grew to disappointment and feelings of inadequacy. We had considered ourselves bright individuals and it wasn’t until we were mixed with the other students that

Although all of us were struggling with the class, we were unable to admit our struggles to each other. We claimed indifference and simply shrugged when we were questioned about our progress. We never let on just how badly we were doing and how much help we truly needed. We snickered to each other about the other group and thought nothing of falling asleep in class. From the perspective of the other students, we were simply there to take up space, hooligans that not deserve to be a part of their

Not only did we question our classes but ourselves as well. What we learned was the generative learning style. “Generative learning consists of continuous experimentation and feedback in an ongoing analysis of how organizations define and solve problems.” (pg.64) . By questioning ourselves and adjusting our expectations and motivations we were able to evolve as students and finally accept our limitations. We had become stagnant with our precious learning style, but with the generative learning style we learned to look at problems from different angles and not to settle for one