Truly transformative learning occurs within a fairly narrow range of experience, somewhere between "too easy" and "too hard". Outside this range, the learning is only about the activity itself, which will be judged insignificant or too arduous, as the case may be, perhaps ego-satisfying or depressing, but no more.
Providing challenges tailored to the learner is part of the art of the pedagogue, who knows how to adapt and evolve them until the final objectives are reached, without discouraging the learner. Good video games master this art, where the neophyte player is led to rapidly develop his or her understanding of the game and the necessary skills, then gradually evolve them. The feeling of competence he acquires is twofold: not only does he concretely improve his skills, but he also confirms his ability to learn.
The Holy Grail would be to apply this principle to any subject, be it science, technology, the humanities or the arts. Estimating the learner's initial level and learning speed helps to find the right measure, all influenced by motivation, previous experience and initial successes.
How to measure parameters as subjective and contextual as motivation or ability remains the prerogative of humans, since machines are only concerned with measurable effects, without being able to integrate context. Many humans can't either, but machines can help them by relieving them of certain observations and calculations.
Creating a meaningful challenge for the learner or the group is also an art in itself. Easy when the stakes are low, difficult when the constraints are high. The cohesion of a group can be cemented by a challenge, but also revealed in all its contradictions. Facilitation helps groups to take on the size of the challenge themselves. The challenge an individual or group accepts also reveals their level of confidence in their abilities. Some people are confident in the face of the unknown, while others hesitate, even if they are the best. The inner Impostor is never far away.
"Are you ready" or "Am I ready to?" is the kind of question that reveals the level of commitment one can expect. Fortunately, commitment can be developed and transformed along the way, and pedagogy strives to maintain it to the optimum degree.
Denys Lamontagne - [email protected]
Illustration: Shutterstock - 2375225829
