Conceptualization/Thinking—The translation of experience into conceptual forms—ideas, words, visuals, hierarchies, knowledge structures and naming systems. This is an abstract approach to learning.
The movement between the “feeling” part of experience and the “thinking” part of experience is crucial to the learning process. This movement connects the personal values, meaning and perceptions of the learners to those of the “expert.” When this movement is missing, learner motivation (feeling is absent) and transfer is diminished.
Let’s take a look at the often subtle difference between feeling and thinking openings:
Feeling—"Reflect on a recent meeting you attended that was highly effective. Share your experience with a partner. What contributed to the effectiveness of the meeting?"
–VS–
Thinking—"What do you think makes a meeting effective? Ineffective? Make a list of effective and ineffective meeting elements." |
The first two steps of the 4MAT® design process are crafted to lead the learner to internal reflection:
It is easy to skip the “feeling” part of learning in the design process. When we begin with an intellectual opening, we miss the opportunity to engage the learner from a personal standpoint. This doesn’t take longer in the delivery process, although it may take a bit more time to nail it in the design process.
Be Well,
Jeanine O'Neill-Blackwell
President/CEO
4MAT 4BUSINESS
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