PDFE #8 "Stages of Learning"

In order to observe the stages of learning people go through, we completed a lab exercise that taught us how to tie a bowline knot. We paired up, with one person being the experimenter and one person being the participant. I started out as the participant and then switched with Jenny half way through.

It was interesting to watch the different ways and pace Jenny and I learned. For example, I am a very visual learner, so initially I tried to tie the knot strictly using the pictures provided. However, the picture was of poor quality and you could not distinguish if the rope was going over or under itself. So, I was forced to use the instructions, which was a disaster. I got confused by the metaphor within the instructions talking about a rabbit and a tree. I had to ask Dr. Epling to show me how to tie the knot. Once I saw it performed, I was able to duplicate the results without faltering. From then on, my movements quickly became smooth and autonomous. On the other hand, Jenny quickly figured out how to tie the know but struggled with getting it the correct size and tightness. Therefore, I had a longer verbal-cognitive stage of learning, whereas Jenny experienced a longer motor stage of learning. Both of us reached the autonomous stage of leaning within trial 20. Interestingly, both Jenny and I pass through each of the stages of learning, like the textbook predicted we would. The only difference that I was not expecting was for there to be such a difference in amount of time spent in each stage. That seems to vary with the person.

After we reached the autonomous stage for the bowline knot, Jenny tried to tie the knot upside down. This proved difficult for her because she had to teach herself the opposite way of tying the knot. In order to pass this obstacle, she and I discussed the steps together. Tying the knot upside down reverted us back to the beginning stage of learning (verbal-cognitive). However, once we got past the initial confusion, we quickly progresses back to the autonomous stage. It was fascinating to watch each other learn and observe our individual differences.