A distinguished futurist, Alvin Toffler (1928-2016) was an influential American writer, businessman, and educator. Besides being a successful entrepreneur, Alvin has been associate editor of Fortune magazine, white house correspondent, faculty member of Cornell University, faculty member of New School Social Research, and author of best-sellers “Third Wave” and “Power Shift”. He believes; An illiterate in the 21st century won’t be someone who cannot read and write, but someone who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.
Benjamin S. Bloom’s Taxonomy classifies human behavior into three domains: It consists of cognitive domains (head), affective domains (heart, heightened aesthetic sense, propensity for sympathy, etc.), and psychomotor domains (hand). The learning process should begin with knowledge, followed by concept, understanding, and finally application to creativity. Knowledge is gained through experience; experience is what makes learning possible. Learning and assessment are interlinked. These are; Assessment of learning (how well they are learning, formative), Assessment for learning, and Assessment as learning;
Interest in learning is what leads to learning. Enjoying it leads to learning. There is no doubt that we learn something every day. A lifetime of experience is also required to become an expert in a subject.
The process of unlearning involves challenging and destroying things ingrained in the way you think, act, and react. Several metaphors are applicable to the process of unlearning. Removing the old paint before you apply a fresh coat. Cutting away the older vegetation before you plant something new. It is not an easy process.
For a new idea to flourish, the previous ideas, beliefs, assumptions, etc. have to be completely eliminated. Similarly, one must remove the old roots before planting new flowers, so they cannot overlap. I would like to add two more most important components to accelerate this process; forgive and forget.
You can do anything because you are infinite; you have all the power within you. Never give up. Always remember Swami Vivekanda’s these words:
“Never say ‘ No ‘, never say ‘I cannot’, you are infinite. All the power is within you. You can do anything.”
Rev.Fr.Dr.P.S. Varghese
Principal
MGM College
