Unlearning my childhood education

Learning to Unlearn

It's the beginning of week 6 for the Iron Yard.
As I've mentioned prior, I think the greatest things I'm learning from the course is not the coding itself, but how I learn.

Prior to beginning the course, Chris had us read a wonderful article on the research behind the modes of thinking we can find ourselves in. It's a wonderfully brilliant article, backed by some interesting research - I highly recommend it. (Read it here)
The two basic mindsets discussed are a 'fixed' versus a 'growth' mindset. Most interestingly, the ways in which we can be in one or the other mindsets due to the nature of our educational upbringing.

For example - growing up, I was considered one of the 'smart kids'. Things came easily to me in my earlier years of grade school. By the 4th grade, I was moved into an accelerated class - further emphasizing the 'smart kid' tagline. Now, as a 'smart kid', and being told I was one of these anomalies by peers and teachers alike, it was expected that I pick things up quickly and learn at some greater speed. When I didn't ...but...I was a 'smart kid', wasn't I? Why didn't I get this? ...was I not smart anymore?

I have this look most days in lab time!

These are questions I never actually asked. But they are the implications of the 'smart kid' situation. Instead of voicing these questions, it was simply easier to fade into the background for a while, until this subject or topic blew over, or there was enough discussion on it  to where I felt I finally understood, and back to the conversation I could go!

I once had a conversation with a mother of a dear friend of mine. She said that when her daughter succeeded in her schoolwork and was praised for the work, it only fueled her desire to want to work harder. And in conversations about her successes, her mother always pointed out her hard work towards the assignment. This girl is now in her twenties and doing academic work that makes my head spin when I think about how much time and effort she puts into it. ...but she knows hard work is what lead her to her successes (and her future successes)

As I'm learning in the Iron Yard, there is no such thing as a 'smart person'.  Every single person who learns, learns a bit differently, and must know what they need for their own success. And as far as the Iron Yard curriculum is concerned,  every person struggles. One thing or another. (Or several) They. Will. Struggle. They'll have that point where is just does not seem to click. (I'm only beginning to recover from my own moment of that)

There are no smart people - but there are resourceful people. As John Saddington said, "The purpose isn't retention - it's resourcing." ...such a simple thought, but our educational system does so little to drive that home to our youth. It's so strange to think that in all the years of schooling I had, very little time was spent on getting students to analyze their own methods of learning and using those to learn resourcing skills. I'm not talking about 'how to google' or 'oh, I'm a visual learner'...I'm talking about what methods can YOU practice to ensure that you gain or retain the information best?

Additionally, the whole 'smart kid' tag kinda ruins your ability to accept the one thing that pushes you forward to getting better: failure. I'm learning how to accept failure, not as something that highlights my inability, but shows me that I need to work harder or revisit something to gain a mastery of the topic. How does that saying go? Something like, 'there are a thousand lessons in failure, but few in success' (hell, it could have been luck)

But when you're the 'smart kid', there's a stigma that you can't fail. You're not supposed to fail.
And this is contrary to everything that has been my benefit through this course. FAIL! (for goodness sake!)  Go out and...just totally suck. Be the worst. The fact that you're doing something is a step in the right direction. Les Smith, Professor of Landscape Architecture at BSU (great man, btw.) once told me "don't ever find yourself sitting there. Draw something - draw anything. Even gestures of effort are putting you closer to a solution."

And with this "go out and fail" attitude - learn from it. Learn what works. Learn what doesn't. Learn what you need to do to ensure that you succeed.

In swing dancing - solo dancing is often a difficult thing for newer dancers to get into. (I still don't always feel comfortable with it) And it's simply a fear of looking like a fool. It's a fear of - not failure - but even looking like something near failure. But for those who can get through that "I might look silly" train of thought, a wondrous amount of learning and success lies in store.

I've asked a lot of "dumb" questions in class. I've made decisions that have worked out poorly in my code. I've followed ideas that have lead me down-the-rabbit-hole to God-knows-where. ...but I'm learning. "This is your time to mess up." I remind myself of this daily. Because I know it will pay off.
And I'm learning that I'm having to reverse years and years of thinking that I'm supposed to learn things quickly. (And it's frustrating - believe me)

Finally, I'm also learning to compare myself to three people. They are known as "me", "myself", and "that guy over there...in the mirror staring back at me"

Well...he's about as white as I am...

In school, we're given grades. And, as much as we don't like to think about it - this system is partially bound to the performance of those around you. If everyone in the class fails...the teacher doesn't just give out F's. There's a curve of some kind. And it always results in the comparison of how you did versus your neighbor. ...fuck that.

...but you got a star!

I need to be better than myself. If you're way behind where I am...whoop-dee-doo. That just means you have to go through the things I already have.

Now, I understand this point isn't directly applicable to the educational system - there are certain waypoints that need met. But in terms of learning, in general, why would you ever compare yourself? If they're better...well, they used to be where you are...and if they're worse...well, they just need to work harder and they'll be where you are. (again, dance is a perfect example.) Ultimately, you need to be working to be the best you can be. And anyone who sits there and compares you in any way other than an objective statement can get out of your way.

You've got shit to do, and you don't have time for nay-sayers. Timidity is something you don't have the luxury of time to offer yourself.

If nothing else - listen to short video by my old buddy Arnold in this awesome short speech.

No get out there and fail your face off!

If Lincoln is doing it, everyone is.