Transformational seems to be one of the current buzzwords we hear in many contexts, not just education. Typically we take this to mean change -- and significant change. I would guess many of us have read or heard that is the definition of learning -- a change -- either in knowledge or in skill.
The three concepts of transformational learning posed are life experience, critical reflection, and development. Let's look at experience primarily as that is also a current hot topic in education, particularly experiential learning.
I found it interesting to note that experience can be past, present, and/or future. The word experience has always had a "past" connotation to me. So learning from prior or previous experience was an easily understood concept. But learning may also take place within the context of our current or present experience. This blog would be a good example. I had no past experience in blogging, but I am definitely learning currently how to do so! Future experience (almost seems like an oxymoron) can be a learning method as we prepare or critically examine something we are planning or anticipate occurring in our future. Perhaps an example would be preparing for knee replacement surgery -- we haven't yet experienced it, but our fear or dread of the procedure may be allayed as we prepare and educate ourselves about the procedure and the rehabilitation we will experience (in the future).
Let me end by asking this question -- can negative experience also be transformational? What might be some past, current, and future examples?
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