I just completed a two week course and boy did I work! I had fun too. I met interesting people and formed some great friendships. I learned by doing, reading, listening, sometimes working on my own, sometimes working with others. I finished the course feeling and knowing that I had added some new skills to my toolbox of resources.
What a terrific balance of activities! I used to think that learning was reading a book, listening to a lecture or writing a test. Yes, I still learn that way. This training was a fine example of an integrated approach, a mixture of ways to learn and solidify that learning.
It reminded me of the benefits of working with others to learn, interdependence instead of independence. We got together before and after class to work on our assignments, share our learnings and I explained or received help on things that I or others didn’t understand.
Moving forward, I have become part of a community and I can connect with someone else when I need help or forget how to do something.
So before you think, depending on other people isn’t a good idea, how about you take a new look at it. In helping others you learn even more and you realize how much you have learned. In receiving help from others, you “get it” as you gain from their insights and learnings. A win-win situation for sure!
There is wisdom in that old saying, ‘there is strength in numbers.’ We become more that the total of the individuals in being in such a community. Who knows… supporting others and being supported is to me a sure way to success.
Are you part of a learning community?