Bookmark and Share

Helene BlowersHelene Blowers
The discovery learning program, Learning 2.0: 23 Things, that Helene created has launched a world-wide 2.0 learning sensation and has been replicated by over 700 organizations in 15 countries.  Helene is currently Director of Digital Strategy for the Columbus Metropolitan Library

She blogs at LibraryBytes.

How do you learn your new Library 101?  You use “Unlearning”!

The Secret to Learning is Unlearning 

“The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and re-learn.” – Alvin Toffler 

Unlearning is a concept that really seems to be underrated.  But within the context of knowledge building and learning capacity, I’ve come to recognize that it’s a foundational skill that shouldn’t be ignored.   In order to learn new things, you have to be open to new ideas.  And in order to be open to new ideas, you have to be willing to challenge your own fixed thinking and natural biases.     

Everyone has a natural learning aptitude.  Some people refer to this as human nature.  Place a block or a 3d object in front of an infant, and they will naturally pick it up, explore its surface, and then more often than not engage in further sensory discovery by sticking it in their mouth.  But as we grow older our educational encounters tend to move away from open and unstructured discovery exploration towards more knowledge building activities that are centered around the creation of human habits (examples: formal and rote learning). 

Rote learning techniques are good for mastering multiplication tables or for memorizing state capitals.  Formal learning best supports knowledge transfer between teachers and students.  But when it comes to keeping up with technology and new emerging information channels, human habits will only you take so far. In order to keep up with today’s constant and rapid changes, you need to be able to quickly learn new skills, techniques and approaches by being able to adapt, challenge and even unlearn some of the natural learning biases have become your own human nature.  

Here are a few unlearning tips and techniques to help open your mind and get you started:  

Seek out the unfamiliar -  Our natural tendency when confronted with a new technology or learning opportunity is to seek the familiar and build upon concepts that we already know.  This is a good step for transitioning to new technologies, but it can also be limiting if this is only as far as you go.  With every new breakthrough technology there is often a new concept or functionality to wrap your head around.   To grasp learning in these areas, you need to consciously seek out the unfamiliar in order to explore and discover new things.   

For me this tip is actually very timely, as I have just this week received an invite to preview Google Wave.  After playing with it for a day or two, I noticed that all I had done was use the new online communication application as a traditional text-based email client and that I was missing out on learning about its other features.   It was only when I chose to consciously explore links and other features that I discovered I could insert videos, chat and embed shared applications (called extensions) that can enable real-time collaboration.  

Change your learning location – There’s nothing like changing your physical environment to help heighten your senses when you’re learning something new.  Like traveling to a foreign country, new surroundings can help you take notice of small things that might otherwise go unnoticed because they blend into the familiar of your conscious.   

There is, of course, a flip side to this tip — unfamiliar environments can also sometimes create attention distractions.  Therefore, in seeking out new locations to help you open up to new learning possibilities (and unlearn old habits), it’s important to make sure the environment that you select is physically comfortable, but psychologically unfamiliar.  

Engage in learning with professional opposites - Your educational and professional training can also predispose and limit your ability to see things from fresh perspective.  Whenever possible, it’s helpful to engage in learning experiences with professionals from different backgrounds (marketing, architecture, hospitality, etc.)  and especially those that you might consider your polar opposites (for librarians that specialize in selecting and finding quality information, one polar opposite might be marketing, whose specialization is creating emotional attachments to brands).  When you expose yourself to other avenues of professional thinking, you open up an unlearning channel to discover something new.  

Pair your learning with a child – There’s often no better way to open up yourself to learning techniques then to pair yourself with a child.  Not only is their perspective much different when it comes to technology, the way they are being taught to learn through today’s education system is much, much different from the educational philosophy of twenty or thirty years ago.   

When I was a child the three R’s stood for reading, writing, and arithmetic.  But today in many educational systems, the tenets of the new 3 R’s are rigor (provide challenging learning experiences in their classrooms) relevance (how learning applies to real life), and relationships (building learning connections with and for students).  There’s a lot to be learned from these new techniques and areas of emphasis and children can be natural teachers and modelers. Pairing up with a child (or any member of a younger generation) is great way to not only discover new approaches to learning and rethink practices from your educational past, but a wonderful way to discover those obvious/not-so-obvious questions that adults can overlook 

Act like a toddler: get deeply curious – My last tip for creating a your own personal arsenal of unlearning techniques is to try and  go back to your first learning experiences and explore new things as a young child would do. Try and engage as many of your five senses that you can in your learning and constantly investigate things through trial and error.  In essence, simply get back to the pure roots of curiosity and “play.”    Curiosity is a natural aptitude that we all are born with.  But it can also be a trait that that diminishes with education and age.   To keep yourself open new ideas and unlearn the knowledge road blocks that might be keeping you from being immensely inquisitive, try imagining learning like a toddler and get deeply curious.  

Overall the concept of unlearning is to simply and continuously to challenge yourself to think and learn about things from different perspectives and different angles.  And in a world where new technological advances have us moving at lightening speed, it’s our unlearning skills, more often then our learning ones, that can give us the greatest competitive advantage.

Bookmark and Share

Custom school papers and essays www.revisionlabs.com/school-papers.html

55 Responses to “Essays on Library 101 - Helene Blowers”

  1. Janice Greenberg on 28 Oct 2009 at 7:22 pm

    I like the theme of this essay, Helene–unlearning!

  2. Jack Uldrich on 29 Oct 2009 at 8:13 am

    Helen:

    Outstanding post. If you or your other readers are interested in the concept of unlearning I invite you to visit my website on the topic — www.unlearning101.com.

    Jack Uldrich

  3. Janet Salvatore on 02 Dec 2009 at 5:54 pm

    I think it’s very true that we link more easily into relationships with those from our own sector or profession. Librarians/information specailsits come with our own map of the world. Seeking perspectives from other professionals can be transformational and refreshing. This can be true when designing a library space or planning a community partnership program or with new technologies.

    Unlearning is a challenge but each and every day we could apply the principles and step out of our comfort zone. :-)

    Great paper Helene

  4. Cheap Snapback Hats on 27 Sep 2011 at 1:38 am

    Browse through our selection of knit cap and New Era Hats Wholesale visors for men, women, and kids’. The latest products and exclusive online discounts make the official online store of the NFL your ultimate place to buy football headwear. Start the 2010 football season with a new New Era Jordan Hats from the official online store of the Snapbackhatshop.org.

  5. clothing websites on 28 Oct 2011 at 2:26 am

    wow, you have a quite exceptional view. would you like cheap clothes and top quality? I think our clothing websites are very important for save money, buy cheap designer clothes online outlet.

  6. Wholesale New Era Snapback Caps on 04 Nov 2011 at 2:01 am

    Find snapback sports hats including NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL and more. New Era Hats WholesaleSports Snapbacks of your favorite sports teams, brands and styles. Wholesale Snapback Caps Members get 20% off all purchases. You can find a big selection of Hats here at Snapbackhatsaler.com. You want to become a fashion icon? Do not hesitate, join us now! Cheap New Era Hats Snapback hats are back and fresher than ever. Swag So Fresh features all of the dopest snapbacks on the market.

  7. Background Check on 08 Nov 2011 at 4:02 am

    This is very inspiring ‘Everyone has a natural learning aptitude. Some people refer to this as human nature. Place a block or a 3d object in front of an infant, and they will naturally pick it up, explore its surface, and then more often than not engage in further sensory discovery by sticking it in their mouth” thanks for sharing….

  8. Thai boxing equipment on 13 Nov 2011 at 9:10 am

    Many of these same issues will be handled with in other sectors as more people strive to measure impact and make educated decisions about where to put the resources.

  9. HIV Test Singapore on 18 Nov 2011 at 2:11 am

    The (re)formation of biohistory is often confused with the invention of post-Jungian analysis.

  10. adultfriendfinder review on 07 Dec 2011 at 7:27 am

    Well, at least you have managed to come out of it with only a few inconveniences. It could have been much worse.

  11. Computer Programming Assignment on 21 Dec 2011 at 1:06 am

    This is very informative post and helpful for those who are searching for it.I away get wonderful information from your blog.I hope you will provide more information in future.Thank you for sharing.
    Finance Assignment Help

  12. Graduation Thesis on 21 Dec 2011 at 1:07 am

    People guess that it’s really important to get know about this topic.  Buy Essay online at the essay writers about this good topic, because this is very interesting topic.like custom essays
    Cv Writing

  13. University Essays Online on 21 Dec 2011 at 1:08 am

    Great blog i never see before.this blog important for us because we get important information for this blog.thanks for commit on this

  14. logo design contest on 23 Dec 2011 at 9:58 pm

    This post was really nicely composed, and it also contains many helpful details. I valued your expert manner of writing this post. You have created it is easy for me to understand.

  15. essays help on 24 Dec 2011 at 1:31 am

    Nicely explained. It’s indeed an art to stop new visitors with your attractive writing style. Truly impressive and nice information. Thanks for sharing.

  16. Huggies Coupons on 30 Dec 2011 at 2:04 pm

    nice to see one more post, will back soon.

  17. mini solvent extraction plant on 16 Jan 2012 at 11:43 pm

    Very nice comments. This is really helpful for me and I was really waiting for a great article to learn a lot from you cannot really valuable experience.

  18. stata help on 18 Jan 2012 at 2:15 am

    Well its so glad to see this information in your post, i was looking this information on different sites but there was not any proper resource, thanks to you because after see your site now i have the thing which i was looking for my research.

  19. meet women on 22 Jan 2012 at 1:25 pm

    Improvisation is a provisional idea created without premeditation while rehearsal is vigorous repetition of an idea until it has achieved cohesion.

  20. Dried Fruits and Nuts on 03 Feb 2012 at 11:18 pm

    The people making the calls have much more tallent and were constantly revising what we were suppose to say so it made sence.

  21. Briquette Presses on 07 Feb 2012 at 5:53 pm

    That is why we at least get a little break from rush hour traffic jams the last couple of weeks of the year.

  22. Used Honda Fit on 08 Feb 2012 at 12:01 am

    If you are looking for high quality and low price used vehicles company is the one stop solution.

  23. Concrete Coating Dallas on 21 Feb 2012 at 12:18 am

    Great interview. I really enjoyed it. They are great group and i hope they don’t split soon like other hip hop groups.

  24. joomla developers on 22 Feb 2012 at 12:54 am

    Several things in here’ haven’t considered before.Thank you for making this type of awesome publish that is really perfectly written, is going to be mentioning lots of buddies relating to this. Maintain blogging.

  25. レディースファッション on 23 Feb 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. thank you for sharing great information to us. Really great I think your articles are so interesting that I need more information Keep sharing !!

  26. cheap domain name and web hosting on 23 Feb 2012 at 11:54 pm

    It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thank you for this article!

  27. condo for sale buckland on 02 Mar 2012 at 7:56 am

    This time can be utilized for other important academic or co-curricular activities. However many students unfortunately are not aware of any second option other than forcing themselves to do this daunting work.

  28. kaiser medical insurance on 02 Mar 2012 at 9:28 am

    Thanks for this great and informative article. Basically i knew some of the things you told but some are very very
    super informative things.

  29. wood pellet press on 06 Mar 2012 at 11:26 pm

    While most window films are for reducing solar heat gain in the summer, low-e films both block summer heat and improve winter heat retention.

  30. buy percocet online on 19 Mar 2012 at 12:13 pm

    This site is excellent and so is how the subject matter was explained. I also like some of the comments too.Waiting for next post.

  31. Car Locksmith on 20 Mar 2012 at 1:15 pm

    Really i appreciate the effort you made to share the knowledge.The topic here i found was really effective to the topic.

  32. wood pellet press on 21 Mar 2012 at 12:52 am

    There are also people whom one meets on an occassional basis and only have negative remarks. better to ignore this lot as well….

  33. chinavibratingsieve on 25 Mar 2012 at 11:43 pm

    agree with author, i am a chinese,once i tried to recite the library, but end up with give-up, later i just read news in unlearning style as you said, Now i can speak and write many words.

    Regards:http://www.veteransandfamilies.org/board/board_topic/1338598/1285396.htm?page=1

  34. dissertation writing services on 27 Mar 2012 at 11:30 am

    agree with author, i am a chinese,once i tried to recite the library, but end up with give-up, later i just read news in

  35. Phuket Thailand on 28 Mar 2012 at 7:20 am

    That’s look great that people would love to share their educational matters and experience on internet, this would be good for readers who must face again this issues in their projects.

  36. pellet stove on 28 Mar 2012 at 7:54 pm

    However, I can tell you, that doesn’t even come close to the frustrations I have to deal with myself.

  37. nike air max on 30 Mar 2012 at 2:48 am

    I have to deal with

  38. hi viz clothing on 31 Mar 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!

  39. how to trade binary options on 02 Apr 2012 at 1:40 pm

    boyish smirk that required the league’s collective protect down, departure it vulnerable to damage

  40. how to trade options on 02 Apr 2012 at 1:41 pm

    It is not only an expression of a different state of mind, but also sealed that the past sections of the people’s minds.

  41. Exotic Photos on 05 Apr 2012 at 4:03 am

    Great post, many thanks for the information.
    Alternative Eden

  42. option trading for dummies on 07 Apr 2012 at 2:35 pm

    I liked the posts and cool layout you have here! I would like to thank you for sharing your experience and the time it took to post!! Two Thumbs up!

  43. Beats Studio on 10 Apr 2012 at 7:54 pm

    Beats Studio is usually seek from headset before appear exquisite exception, beautiful appearance, defeat

    the monster high definition headset black clothing studio from the sound quality, can say he is a concentration of emotional expression products it sound,

    music is very rich, delicate feelings has the dedication to work, have sense of responsibility of alternative.When compared to the other other headphones,

    earphones monster is only a tiny lighter than ordinary Beats By Dre Studio.

  44. Cheap Baseball Caps on 10 Apr 2012 at 10:47 pm

    If you’re just collecting hats, just go buy one. It really doesn’t make a bit of difference which one you get.
    Monster Energy hats

  45. pellet mill manufacturer on 10 Apr 2012 at 11:39 pm

    Some ideas, while they may save in one area, actually increases costs

  46. wholesale oakley sunglass on 15 Apr 2012 at 7:55 pm

    http://www.sunglasseshut.us/ Polarized lenses of the most basic function is to filter out sunlight, more than 99% of the ultraviolet ray, can absorb the harmful rays of sunshine, filter light of international standard for performance, effectively stop light and filter out of the beam of light scattering function. [url=http://www.sunglasseshut.us/]oakley women sunglasses[/url]
    Uv damage to human body, have “cumulative”, that is exposed to sunlight over time, ultraviolet radiation injury to the bigger also. The United States has a statistical report, one life of the ultraviolet radiation, of which eighty percent is in the 18 years old before exposed to the sun of accumulation, so avoid ultraviolet ray, injuries must start at an early age. Parents should teach children the concept of right, get with the sun glasses from wearing the habit, reduce the accumulation of ultraviolet radiation damage in the eye. Choose the sun glasses, do not assume that the darker the lens, the effects of uv radiation is stronger. On the contrary, the darker the it will become the pupil, unless the security of uv lens, eyes will illuminate the more to the ultraviolet ray, the harm and the bad. oakley sunglasses discount

  47. cheap nike shox on 16 Apr 2012 at 2:11 am

    A legendary brand was born, it is not only the function of excellence shoes products, it is a kind of cultural symbol. When it is a revolutionary product, once for violating the NBA’s “unified dressed” set and was banned in NBA. Michael persist one’s old ways, still wear it to play, and suffer a fine of up to $5000 per game. At the same time, cheap nike shoes
    Michael Jordan in the union and international competition in his first, all-star games debut of New Year, excellent reputation, and be the Boston celtics legend larry bird nicknamed the “god incarnate-Michael Jordan. The future is here, again, the performances are defined appear type swap bearing column can adapt to type two kinds of shock system. Strengthen the titanium shoes for supporting board feet bone central and the foot arch support of the design of the shoes. This by F-22 jet fighter inspiration, on the field all show the special superior air superiority. best cheap nike shoes

  48. Supplier of hammermill on 16 Apr 2012 at 7:44 pm

    My biggest challenge is getting my clients to learn how to focus on sharing themselves and what they can bring to the organization besides what’s written on their resume.

  49. snapback hats wholesale on 17 Apr 2012 at 11:55 pm

    Good article, it makes me very interested. Thank you for your sharing.

  50. PTO Pellet Mill on 24 Apr 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Being a government employee, the Right to Know laws require public disclosure of a great deal of personal information, including salary.

  51. Proceso de Molienda de Harina on 25 Apr 2012 at 2:14 am

    That is very good comment you shared.Thank you so much that for you shared those things with us.

  52. Aldrich on 29 Apr 2012 at 10:37 pm

    I really like your blog and there are some interesting points made. There are so many sites out there which are badly presented that it’s a pleasant suprise to find a good one.

  53. pellet mill chipper on 07 May 2012 at 6:53 pm

    Leave your welfare state mentality to the europeans and their bankrupt economies.

  54. factdress on 09 May 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Donning some thing that complements your figure is among the key components in seeking beautiful in that ideal night dress.

  55. http://hcgonlinebuy.com on 20 May 2012 at 4:43 am

    Computer programs may be categorized along functional lines, system software and application software. Two or more computer programs may run simultaneously on one computer, a process known as multitasking.
    Contents. Thanks a lot.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

Leave a Reply

Custom school papers and essays www.revisionlabs.com/school-papers.html