This Tip describes why I ask where is the brand new information among all the information I see published daily.
“Originality is something that is easily exaggerated, especially by authors contemplating their own work.” John Kenneth Galbraith
Where is the Brand New Information?
I have designed and facilitated highly participatory training programs for a very long time. Even so, I continue to be interested in learning new information about how people learn. I am also interested in adding new training techniques to my repertoire.
However, I have noticed that, over the years, I have become more jaded . This happens when I read about articles purporting to approach learning from a new and different angle. Very often, these articles fail to inform. They also seem to simply reiterate something that I already know and practice.
Yes, of course new breakthroughs in understanding how the brain works occur, based on research in the field. It is also true that I occasionally do read about excellent innovative learning activities or training methods that I am anxious to adopt and apply.
Little Appears Fresh or Original
Training-related newsletters and training blogs, and professional training sites publish an enormous amount of information daily on the web. However very little of it appears to offer anything fresh or original.
I want to say to the writers: “I know that already! That’s old news! Give me something that is sparkling brand new! Make me rethink my beliefs and assumptions about learning. Provide fascinating new training tools that will help make my training design and delivery more effective. Don’t keep rehashing the tried and true. Challenge me, intrigue me, stimulate me! Set me on a path that brings me to greater knowledge and deeper understanding!”
Too Jaded?
Am I just too jaded to recognize the value in what ihey trumpet as something wonderful? Maye I am too tired and unmotivated to plumb the depths of these articles. Or are my perceptions and conclusions accurate?
Has it always been like this? Am I only now noticing that people are continually rebranding and reworking information that is presented as something innovative?
Or is the problem that my expectations are too high? Is my quest to expand my learning leading me to open and read articles that are in reality targeted at new trainers? The information would be new and exciting for them.
And if that is the case, is it possible for me to minimize my frustration and disappointment ? Can I do this without overlooking information that would be valuable to me? I don’t seem to be able to screen the articles I read by considering who the writer or the publishing organization is. Am I destined to waste my time opening every article?
Or is the real problem that I am too full of myself? Am I too entrenched in the belief that I already know it all and that there is very little left for me to learn? I certainly hope that is not the case, but I may not be the best judge.
Where are you on this continuum- and do you have any advice for me?
May your learning be sweet.
Deborah
