Embryological Model of Learning

This model describes some of the stages that learners experience as they struggle to learn new concepts and apply them. See if you can locate yourself in any of these stages. The progression is not smooth, one can move back and forth between these stages.

PARTS	IMMERSION	GROPING	INCUBATION	HEURISTIC LEAP	WHOLE
One is exposed to the parts. They appear unrelated.	Pre-occupation with the parts. Can be painful, feeling lost.	Struggling to find meaning. Anxiety and frustration. Eventually start to see that the parts do fit together. Feeling for the whole, but not there yet. May have a period of paralysis or procrastination.	Unconsciously start to discover how it all hangs together. Gradual progression from last stage in groping.	Tacit knowledge (or knowledge you did not know you had) appears and you take a leap and see the whole.	The concept(s) are seen as a whole. See sense in all and wonder why all the prior confusion!

PARTS

IMMERSION

GROPING

INCUBATION

HEURISTIC LEAP

WHOLE

One is exposed to the parts. They appear unrelated.

Pre-occupation with the parts.

Can be painful, feeling lost.

Struggling to find meaning.

Anxiety and frustration.

Eventually start to see that the parts do fit together.

Feeling for the whole, but not there yet.

May have a period of paralysis or procrastination.

Unconsciously start to discover how it all hangs together.

Gradual progression from last stage in groping.

Tacit knowledge (or knowledge you did not know you had) appears and you take a leap and see the whole.

The concept(s) are seen as a whole.

See sense in all and wonder why all the prior confusion!

Created January 29, 2012