Topic Five: Building Relationships
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this reading you will be able to:
1. Describe how human relationships can impact learning
2. Explain why it is not possible to separate emotions from learning
3. Identify how meeting the emotional needs of learners increases motivation to learn required material
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this reading you will be able to:
1. Describe how human relationships can impact learning
2. Explain why it is not possible to separate emotions from learning
3. Identify how meeting the emotional needs of learners increases motivation to learn required material
Conceptual Framework: The value of self-directed learning
The emotional centers of the brain are intimately linked with cognitive region in the neo-cortex that influence the learning process. Like a muscle, the human brain develops more complex neuro structures when learning occurs. The ability to face challenges is less about skill or natural ability than it is about attitude. The key to helping students to optimize their potential is to help their understand the importance of using positive self-talk to direct their thinking toward positive thoughts. A key aspect to enhancing learning is building healthy, constructive relationships between the learner, his/her peers, and the learning facilitator. Relationships play a pivotal role in optimizing learning. It is vital to manage the learning environment; not the learner. When learners feel emotionally safe to make mistakes without ridicule, they will be willing to take risks to increase their learning.
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner-centered teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
The emotional centers of the brain are intimately linked with cognitive region in the neo-cortex that influence the learning process. Like a muscle, the human brain develops more complex neuro structures when learning occurs. The ability to face challenges is less about skill or natural ability than it is about attitude. The key to helping students to optimize their potential is to help their understand the importance of using positive self-talk to direct their thinking toward positive thoughts. A key aspect to enhancing learning is building healthy, constructive relationships between the learner, his/her peers, and the learning facilitator. Relationships play a pivotal role in optimizing learning. It is vital to manage the learning environment; not the learner. When learners feel emotionally safe to make mistakes without ridicule, they will be willing to take risks to increase their learning.
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner-centered teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Example
The photo above depicts two toddlers walking down a road together. The message is: A healthy relationship is not built on two people agreeing on what lies ahead; but rather building a healthy relationship consists of two people looking in the same direction.
Potential positive prompts that can nurture self-directed learning
It is important to build community. The learning facilitator must model a positive, optimistic, and confident attitude toward learning by engaging with the learners as a partner in the learning process. A smile is a valuable tool for communicating unconditional positive regard to all learners.
It is important to build community. The learning facilitator must model a positive, optimistic, and confident attitude toward learning by engaging with the learners as a partner in the learning process. A smile is a valuable tool for communicating unconditional positive regard to all learners.
Self-Assessment
1. When you were a child, how did you measure friendship? Did you have a best friend? If you did, what made that relationship so special?
2. Now, as an adult, do you prefer to learn new things on your own or with others?
3. Give an example of a relationship that has, actually, helped you to learn/master a skill/concept.
1. When you were a child, how did you measure friendship? Did you have a best friend? If you did, what made that relationship so special?
2. Now, as an adult, do you prefer to learn new things on your own or with others?
3. Give an example of a relationship that has, actually, helped you to learn/master a skill/concept.