Teach Talk Webinar: Transformative Learning Theory

Typical approaches to learning center heavily around objectives, which are discrete, measurable, and focused on specific narrow outcomes. But what about when your education shakes up your entire mindset and radically changes your fundamental perspectives of your self-identity, society, or the entire world? Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) addresses how teaching and learning could accomplish such ambitious tasks. 

This week's Teach T@lk webinar was presented by Abigail Smith, Instructional Designer for the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies. She shared with us a brief history of TLT, some of the basic concepts it presents, and practical applications for how we can apply the findings of TLT to our own teaching practices.

Background 

We began with sharing moments from our own learning experiences that were life changing; moments that gave us pause, and ones that surprised us. Then, we learned how the theory came to be developed by Jack Mezirow. The theory began as "perspective transformation" and is based on the critical pedagogy domains of learning, specifically the communicative and emancipatory domains. This was then followed in the 1980s with the "self-directed learning" movement.

We learned that TLT is primarily applied to adults because they need to have prior experiences to transform from. It is also difficult to predict when an adult is ready to transform, as well as it is highly contextual (not all topics are applicable).

The Process

Outlined in four steps, the process includes:
1) Disorienting dilemma; 
2) Assumptions exposed; 
3) Critical evaluation of topics, systems, structures;
4) Restructuring of perspectives.

How Can TLT be Applied in Your Course?

The second half of the webinar included a group brainstorm discussion around applying the principles of Transformative Learning Theory. The questions posed included:

• How can we responsibly encourage a Disorienting Dilemma?
• How can we help students look beyond the topics we are teaching, to evaluate their own assumptions behind these topics?
• What are some resources and tools for helping students through the discomfort of transformation?
• What are some responsible and productive ways to help students critically evaluate systems and structures, and the students’ places within them?
• How can we encourage healthy self-reflection?

Check out the group discussion, that was compiled live in a Google Doc.

Resources

• Webinar video recording
• Presentation slides
• Presentation brainstorm: Applying Principles of Transformative Learning Theory to Practice
• Journal of Transformative Education
• International Conference on Transformative Learning