Empathetic Learning
What is "empathy" as defined in the syllabus, and how does it relate to learning?
"put yourself in another's shoes". The ability to at least TRY to understand people or views unlike your own. Develop a caring attitude. Relates to learning in that you are willing to know why another person has a certain view on something (you answer!!) :)
A mature learner is at least in part one who is "open-minded". True or false? And what does having an 'open mind' mean?
True...there is more to the story, but having an "open mind" means you are WILLING to let your brain expand in new ways. (Otherwise your brain shrinks and atrophies. :))
Provide an example of when someone is being ego-based with their views.
A doctor refuses to refer to a patient by their sexual identify (they/them) because "He does not understand it", rather than trying to learn about why they feel this way and why they choose to identify as "they/them".
If you believe the world is flat, are you automatically an unskilled learner?
Uhh… open to debate, but pretty much, yeah. There is ZERO evidence to support an 'flat earth' theory so if you believe that, THAT'S COOL, it's just false. BUT if you are unwilling to examine the assumptions that belief rests on, and you are open to learning why the view is false.. you be skilled. :))
Write down one example of when emphatic learning may be required. Explain how it uses empathy.
Answers will vary-- what did you say?? A conversation between a pro-choice person and a pro-life person.
The MOST important part of being a mature learning is being able to do what?
Provide justification!! Justification is the KEY to having a solid belief. Ya gotta know WHY you believe something, and seek the answers as to how and why things are or are not true... otherwise, we can be ignored... think about if a President or parents never explained views... what would be think of that??
It's safe to assume that because most people in America are Christian, and you are, too, that most people in the room are also. True/False-- say why.
Gotta be false. ASSumptions are necessary to make sometimes (like when??) but can often be dangerous (like when??) BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH BEING CHRISTIAN!!
What is the definition of a learner?
One who is willing to gain reason/knowledge that can be INCORPORATED into personal and global experiences.
One who is willing to OPEN their mind and examine their beliefs and the beliefs of others... one who truly wants to LEARN and not just blindly accept the beliefs they've been handed.
Write down THREE examples of when people are NOT being empathetic when they try to learn.
The three examples are: Arguing/disagreeing with the other person, refusing to hear the other person's views, and trying to change the way their views are.
Write down a real life situation or scenario where people might need to be open-minded.
When you join a culture and technology class and you're learning that everything around you might be considered technology :)
Joe smokes weed at home in Cali. His roommate doesn't approve. Is Joe being ego-based or not? Explain.
I don't think Joe is being ego-based but rather his roommate. If I were the roommate I would ask myself "is there a reason Joe wants to smoke?" "Is it prescription?" "does it make him feel better?" Rather than judging, maybe he could just politely ask Joe to go outside to smoke instead.
Provide an example wherein someone is not showing evidence of being a skilled learner.
When someone insists that their idea is right but no reason or true evidence as to why it is.
True or False: Empathy is a genetic trait wired into the human species (and other species)? Explain why and/or how this might be?
A social species like "humans" that rely on one another to survive, would not last long if "caring" was not an instinct built in. It is also a trait that can and often needs to be nurtured.
Identify a way in which a parent might not use "mature" learning with a child.
LOTS of examples-- what did you say? When a kid doesn't want to go to college but their parents are pushing them to go because they both did and they believe it's the only way to be successful in life.
Sally takes her five year old child to church every Sunday. Is Sally being ego-based or not?
Possibly, but she can't leave her 5 year old alone at home, and the 5 year old may like going to church, they're old enough to say whether or not, so my answer depends on if the child actually enjoys going to church or it they feel forced every time Sally tells them they're going...
Erica is open to new ideas-- does that make her a "skilled learner? Why or why not?
It's a start! BUT…just being open to new ideas is not enough. Erica has to strive to know where ideas come from, what evidence they are based on, how they connect to other ideas, etc. Erica has to have some mad thinking skills (and motivation) in order to really be a SKILLED learner. ;))