Andragogy is defined as the art and science of helping adults learn (Unit 6 notes). I always thought that as you grow older your ability to learn decreases but the incident I’m about to share changed that belief for me. I want to draw on a very personal but not a conventional experience. Last summer my mother got a tennis elbow, and that stopped her from doing a lot of activities. My mother is a registered nurse in India and is the pillar of our family. This was when I realized that she might not look old but she is getting old, and I need to make sure she takes good care of herself as well. So, I took it upon me to teach her some exercises and review her diet plans. She was excited about this as well because she knew she needs it to keep working efficiently. As we discussed her diet plan, it was evident that it had a lot of shortcomings and we together decided to start a new more nourishing diet plan. We both work in healthcare so it was easier to understand the importance of what we are doing and it made the process a bit easier as well. I was amazed by my mother’s immense wide knowledge that she gained not just from books but 27 years of practice as a nurse.
Her readiness to learn was high because she realized the importance of health as well as how much the family needs her at her best. We started exercising together as well but it was a bit tricky for her to do some of those but her willpower was strong. She learned her ways around different yoga poses and was very consistent, more so than me. Her internal motivating factor was more significant than external factors. With time her elbow got better, but sadly there is not a definite cure for tennis elbow. She can perform all tasks usually but has to shy away from lifting anything with that specific arm. She has been working out and eating right ever since.
Honestly, I ended up learning more from her than she learned from me. Her grit, self-awareness, consistency, and motivation were remarkable. She is one of the strongest, kindest and determined person I know and above all, she is a constant and active learner.
Hello,
Hope your mother will be always fine and better and the pain just faint away quickly because of tennis elbow. Yes, we do understand that experience is gained and always provides a more conceptual knowledge than books, but do you think is there any thinking difference between you and your older one’s because of generation gap, have you ever felt so ?
Thank you for your good wishes and this question. Indeed, there was a lot of difference in the learning process between my mother and me. Like I mentioned her motivating factor was rather internal and she knew how this would benefit her better.
Shaaz,
What a wonderful story of adult learning. You have highlighted the importance of internal motivation, but your story also highlights the collaborative nature of this learning. Together, you were both able to not only LEARN but also APPLY that learning (which somehow is very challenging for many of us when it comes to nutrition and fitness).
I love the way you describe your new focus on nutrition, as identifying a “more nourishing” eating plan. In life, we often think in terms of scarcity — and changing our eating habits can focus on taking things away. In contrast, your focus on food and exercise as “nourishing” is built on a philosophy of abundance — which can be very motivating and sustaining.
Great example of collaborative learning! Wishing both you and your mother much abundance and nourishment!
— Leadership Prof
Thank you so very much for your beautiful words, Ma’am. Indeed it was a great and memorable learning experience for both of us. I miss and cherish those days now that I’m away. I’m glad that we realized sooner than later than nourishment is the key to healthy and prosperous life. If I’m not able to concentrate or I get tired quickly or if I’m not sleeping right I analyze my diet. Most of the times all this happens when I’m not eating right. Eating healthy and exercising is so important and I cannot emphasize this point enough. Also, thank you so much for your good wishes.