MIND STATES

The Perils of Prescription Teaching

Current economic pressures and the political desire to create jobs and get people into work is putting ever more constraints on higher education institutions (HEI's), especially polytechnics to prepare students for the perceived current workplace needs. This is fast leading to a situation of 'defacto' subservience to industry that entails 'prescription teaching' (one size fits all) constrained by current business thought and trade practices as taught by former professionals from working life often lecturing with little or no teaching experience or qualifications. In 2014 the Finnish government is also lowering the educational standards and requirements for teaching even further.

Task and role-specific training varies from company to company and hence needs to be tailored to the specific job and profession, which can only be done (best) by professional associations and companies themselves. HEI's are supposed to aim beyond these limited objectives and be a science (& research) based thought leader that challenges conventional thinking and the established order. In turn, they should empower their students not only with knowledge but, a level of critical, analytical, and diagnostic thinking that breaks the current boundaries and drives development in the workplace, not be a slave to it.

• Have you become a 'professional or corporate slave'? 

• Would you like to break the chains and free your mind to new realms of possibility in the way you work or the techniques and science that you apply? 

 

From 'Shu-Ri-Te' to JKD

The Japanese have a phrase 'Shu-Ri-Te', which loosely translated means 'Copy - Adapt - Develop' at its base level, and 'Obey-Break-Depart' at another. Following the professional codes and standards is merely copying. We must be able to adapt these to different circumstances and needs. Bruce Lee stated that in his Jeet Kune Do (JKD) philosophy, at the highest level of training and skill we must break free of the 'Kata' completely and even 'form' of any kind.  In order to become effective and gain a competitive advantage in the future, let alone fully develop our potential, this process of change and personal development through 'whole mind' learning is and must be continuous and never-ending. Did you know that Bruce Lee held a higher-education degree in Philosophy? I.e. he was not just an action movie star.

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'As it is above, so it is below'

Whilst formal higher education institutions continue to limit their focus and abilities at the upper end of the spectrum in the disciplines they profess, more informal training programs such as SETS are free to pursue the ideals of cross-disciplinary study both horizontally and vertically in the recognition of the fact that: 'As it is above, so it is below'. The ability to understand and interchange the various knowledge systems, principles, and skills between disciplines at all levels of application within coherent models and frameworks of principles and concepts is an invaluable skill for anyone seeking survivability, creativity, and innovativeness in the modern world.

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SeTs courses are ideal for those that would like to refresh their knowledge, thinking, and outlook on the subject of their chosen profession, or even broaden their horizons to related disciplines that may be encountered on their climb up the professional ladder. Refresher courses or new courses of study also provide an excellent forum for professional networking and more open and systematic exchange of related ideas and information that is deeper and more profound than the more ad-hoc cyber-space bounded interactions of on-line professional and social networks.

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So, what stops you from training and learning!?

 

Mind SeTs and States

Stress, anxiety, and even fear are all severe impediments to effective, let alone efficient, learning. Training classes and educational courses need to minimise these in order to create a suitable learning environment and eco-system, or at least make it manageable when the learning process requires that we face up to our fears and other previous experience and knowledge. Conversely, positive reinforcement can be attained through mutual support/cooperation, having (some ;) fun, subject matter interest, open but, considerate discussion and even friendship, etc.  Your Mind State is the key that unlocks your true learning potential.

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Whilst individual course styles and methodologies may vary in accordance with content and target/focus group needs, all the courses are designed constructively, using multi-media, social (networking), and blended learning principles to optimise learning interest and support. This gives you options for learning according to your own preferences and goals, whilst at the same time providing a 'force-multiplier' through social learning aspects. Learning can then be accelerated by accessing and linking to previous experience, knowledge, and skills training through an 'Experiential Learning' process.

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Let the Training do the Straining

Training classes contain no formal exams or other assessments, other than informal tests, quizzes, puzzles and any other formative feedback methods based on observable criteria. These formative feedback exercises are designed to help you learn and check for yourself what you have actually learned in as fun and enjoyable way as possible. In this respect, it is worth considering what Pasi Sahlberg (2011), a foremost Finnish education expert, has to say about Educational Science Paradoxes (ESP). However, if you really want them anyway, we can provide certificates of course completion and, even of achievement if required.

Simply put, all you have to do is take one step at a time, set your goals 'smartly' and get 'SET' to take the strain out of your training.

So, for your Accelerated Personal Education (APE) programme, 'Go APE'

and Contact us, now!