On Disruption and Construction, Reflection and Reorganization in Psychotherapist Development: A Taxonomy of Transformative Learning Outcomes

2019 ◽  
pp. 154134461986406 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Edward Watkins

The beginning period of psychotherapist development has been conceptually and empirically identified as the most difficult and potentially problematic. The budding therapist is struggling to define a therapist identity, settle into the role of being a “helper,” and come to grips with being a helper who can “heal.” That struggle, I contend, is at its core a transformative learning process that involves developing a guiding vision of oneself as therapist, where the shift from becoming to being is made reality. In what follows, I examine transformative learning theory as a framework for enhancing our understanding about the beginning period of therapist development. The specific question that I consider is: What transformative learning outcomes occur for the beginning psychotherapist in the process of developing a therapist identity? I draw on and analogize from Hoggan’s typology of transformative learning outcomes in providing an answer to that question.

Author(s):  
Rachel C. Plews ◽  
Moira Laffranchini Ngoenha

This chapter explores the ongoing collaboration between an educational developer and a faculty member at a university of teacher education in Switzerland as an inquiry into one's teaching practice to improve the implementation of the flipped classroom approach. Through the lens of transformative learning theory, the chapter examines how SoTL can serve as faculty enrichment in addition to an approach for systematic reflection on practice. Special attention is paid to the role of the educational developer as a mentor throughout the inquiry. The chapter concludes with practical strategies for developing a productive SoTL relationship between educational developers and faculty member, as well as visibility across an institution.


in education ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-114
Author(s):  
Vanessa V. Tse ◽  
David F. Monk

This paper explores the disconnection between knowledge of social and environmental injustices and actions to right them. Through our discussion, we consider possible reasons for this disconnection, whether a lack of knowledge, personal accountability and responsibility, or a fear of being swallowed up in the depths of the suffering in the world. We then critically reflect on our role and the role of education to broach this gap. We adopt O’Sullivan’s (2002) transformative learning theory as a guide and suggest that disruptive dialogues, like the one that has guided this paper, can challenge habits of mind, shift perspectives, and lead to action for a better, more equitable world. Ultimately, we conclude that such conversations are organic and ever changing and are integral to education.Keywords: Social justice; critical discourse; transformation 


2020 ◽  
pp. 104515952098116
Author(s):  
Renee Owen

Implicit bias classes have become a common practice with the aim of creating more inclusive work and learning environments. Such classes are aimed at helping individuals identify unconscious habits of mind and behaviors around race, which can be a disorienting experience. By seeing such classes through the lens of transformative learning theory, the instructor can help students through the disorienting experience with a transformative learning process. Transformative learning is a process of changing perspectives and habits of mind, ultimately resulting in changes in behavior. Recent research around the practice of mindfulness reveals a strong indication that a regular mindfulness practice can aid in helping individuals change habits of mind and behavior. The article provides brief examples of how teaching students about the neuroscience of bias, coupled with leading mindfulness techniques, enhances students’ grasp of concepts around bias to better embed the learning in multiple ways. Mindfulness becomes a tool for helping students develop awareness of their biases and for transforming inherited habits of mind into more positive and inclusive mind-sets.


Author(s):  
Patricia Cranton

The purpose of this article is to explore the potential for fostering transformative learning in an online environment. It provides an overview of transformative learning theory, including the variety of perspectives on the theory that have evolved as the theory matured. Strategies and practices for fostering transformative learning are presented, followed by a description of the online environment and how strategies for encouraging transformative learning might be carried into that environment. Students’ voices are brought in to corroborate and to question the importance of these strategies. The article concludes with a discussion of how an educator’s style and strengths can be brought into online teaching, especially with a view to helping learners examine their meaning perspectives.


2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-13
Author(s):  
Braden Hill ◽  
Grantley Winmar ◽  
Jenna Woods

Transformative learning theory articulates a process whereby students experience a change in perspectives that expands and transforms their worldview. Despite being well established and regarded within the literature relating to adult and continuing education, Mezirow's (1978) seminal education theory remains largely absent in the research relating to Indigenous higher education. This study explores the transformative impact of university learning on the student journeys of three Aboriginal graduates from a Western Australian university. Applying a collaborative auto-ethnographic approach, each author-participant's personal narrative of their student experience was exposed to comparative, thematic and critical analysis. It was found that each author had faced similar cognitive and emotional challenges at university. Significantly, it emerged that university had changed the author-participants’ identities in ways that aligned with Mezirow's transformative learning construct. The narrative data also revealed elements that appeared related to the students’ negotiation of Nakata's cultural interface. A dominant theme in the data referred to the relationships formed during university, as being integral to transformation. Furthermore, family was understood to have a paradoxical influence on their educational journey. The insights garnered from this study prompt further consideration as to how transformative learning theory might be mobilised at the cultural interface.


Author(s):  
Matthew J. Kruger-Ross ◽  
Tricia M. Farwell

This chapter seeks to critically examine and question common assumptions underpinning educators’ use and incorporation of technology in the classroom. Drawing upon transformative learning theory, the authors argue that incorporating technology in education cannot and should not be done without first questioning assumptions regarding power, teaching, and assessment. Technology is transforming education in expected ways, but can also transform education in unexpected, unexplored ways. Educators need to move beyond the quick fix of bulleted lists to explore the implications of technology in the classroom more fully.


Author(s):  
Greg Kearsley

This chapter examines the relevance of transformative learning theory as it applies to online graduate courses. It is argued that the nature of learning that occurs in such courses involves a high degree of reflection and critical analysis and hence is well described by transformative theory. Discussion forum postings from 3 different courses at different institutions are analyzed in terms of the meaning structures defined by Mezirow. The results support the assertion that meaning schema and perspectives are being created and changed as a consequence of interaction with peers and instructors during online classes. A number of suggestions for refining the study of transformative learning in online courses are provided.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Förster ◽  
Anne B. Zimmermann ◽  
Clemens Mader

Are teachers ready to support sustainability transformations in tertiary education? We frame major teaching challenges within transformative learning theory and offer a schematic model of transformative learning including liminality and emotions.


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