Transformative learning as a theory has been around since the 1970s. Although Mezirow introduced this theory as a solution for the inclusion of women’s re-entry into the community college programs, it has benefits in the organizational setup as well. The three elements of critical reflection, rational disclosure, and centrality of experience are found in many everyday situations. Different situations that might benefit from the introduction of transformative learning are-
Problem-solving becomes better-
There is a need for problem-solving in all facets of life, especially in an organization. The assimilation of the theory in day-to-day working makes the problem solving better. When there is a work problem, the usage of the theory properly might help you come up with solutions by making the process mechanical and practical. This gives a different perspective to look at things. Critical thinking and experiences are an integral part of the problem-solving process and they help accelerate the scientific investigations to reach the solutions squarely.
Helps change habitual and perpetual perspectives
Man is a creature of habit. We are all comfortable till the time the efforts are habitual. But we forget that the same habits can rarely bring out different results. Thus, transformative learning is important for problem-solving in an organizational setup. Everyone has habits and our perspectives are influenced by them. And resultantly, we have perpetual perspectives which ones formulated are rarely revisited to adjust. These perspectives need regular revision and adjustment, which can be achieved by transformative learning.
Facilitates social education-
Transformative learning is effective in social situations, personal transformation, and social paradigm shifts. In the words of Gillen “The root of social reform lies in education”. The address of social context is not exclusive of materialistic and spiritual needs as well as of the needs of skills. The critical reflection is as much needed in this case, as in other applications. We can have effective transformative learning when the learning itself, the understanding, and its application helps transform from the critical reflection. It is most needed in situations such as post-migration adaptation, adoption to a new form of governance, such as from socialist to democratic, and also for active participation in a civil society.
Helps in adaptation to workplace paradigm-
When you change your job, it is a pretty big transformation and requires transformative learning. In this situation, you will be required to formulate new interpersonal relationships, be culturally sensitive to the workplace culture and the inhabiting employees’ culture. Plus, you would be required to possibly acquire new skills to navigate your work situation. Here, transformative learning can be your friend, and a job change can act as your disorienting dilemma to start the process of transformative learning. This theory can further be applied for different promotion stages and even the retirement stage.
Decipher the developmental as well as a periodic transition-
Transformative learning can also be instrumental in bringing the desired change in the developmental as well as periodic transitions in different stages of life. The transitions that can benefit from the theory could be health transitions, romantic transitions, friendship transitions, career transitions, and societal transitions, etc. The effects of transformative learning can be monumental in these regards as the following periods might not be accomplished with the previous perspectives.
Conclusion
As discussed above, in the case of job transitions, the new required skills can be acquired with the best Learning Management Systems, but a great deal of thought is required for the same. But when choosing an LMS, it is best to run a comparison.
Let us suppose you narrow it down to two LMS, say Thinkfic or Teachable. You might find yourself asking Thinkific vs Teachable? You can get an answer to this question after comparing the features, pricing models, and after-sale services provided by both.
