TRANSFORMATIONAL

LEARNING THEORY
B Y: J A C K M E Z I R O W

WHAT IS LEARNING THEORY?

Learning theories attempt to explain how people
learn
There are multiple learning theories.
Behaviorism (reactions to external stimuli) ex: child
Cognitivism (acquiring and storing information)
Connectivism (recognizing and connecting information
from various sources) ex: classroom
Constructivism (meaning constructed by each learner)

OTHERS WHO HELPED OUT

Robert Boyd associated with phsyco analytic
approach to Transformational learning (numbers
and symbols)
Larry Daloz emphasizes the intuitive in the
learning of the process (story and learning)
Paulo Friere - social cultural approach to
transformative learning (poverty, oppression and
illiteracy)

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING
Transformative Learning is "The process of using a prior
interpretation to construe a new or revised interpretation
of the meaning of ones experience in order to guide
future action" (Mezirow, 1996: 162).

 The Transformative Learning Theory was first

introduced by Jack Mezirow after researching
factors related to the success, or lack of, of
women's reentry to community college programs
in the 1970's, with the resulting conclusion that a
key factor was perspective transformation

BACKGROUND
Born in 1923 Fargo, North Dakota
Professor of adult and continuing education at Teachers
College at Columbia University
Credited with the early development of the transformational
learning theory (1978)
Served as a consultant for adult literacy across the globe in
places like South America, Asia and Africa
Author of numerous books, chapters, research report, and
articles
B.A. and M.A. degrees in social sciences and education from
the University of Minnesota
Wife died in July inspired him to study women returning to
community colleges

FOUR MAIN COMPONENTS

Experiences
Critical reflection (process of experience)
Reflective disorder
-content reflection (think or reflect)
-process reflection (process on what we going to
do with experience)
-premise reflection (compare & contrast)
Action (immediate/later)

TEN PHASE

STRENGTHS OF THE THEORY

A highly social process

Allows for self-reflection
A confidence builder
Encourages emotional maturity

WEAKNESSES OF THE THEORY

Not all learning is transformational

Overused in higher education
Requires risk taking (culture)
Time consuming

TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING IN ADULTS

TODAY: EXAMPLES IN PRACTICE

Online educational programs

Job training ex: teachers adapt to using tech.
Personal crises ex: loss of job etc..
Daily life ex: world changes, dish washer

A NEW BREED OF LEADER BY SHEILA

MURRAY BETHEL
The people who lead the way in finding answers
and solutions to our local national, and global
problems will be the transformational leaders of
the twenty- first century.

QUESTION
Looking back on your life what was one of the
Transformative change that you have to make?
How did it affect you? Was it easy/hard?
Now looking back how has it impact your thinking
or view?

RECAP OF THE IDEA