Awe From Learning

An Awe Practice

Awe is elicited in the presence of an event that is perceived as a major violation of one’s current theories about the world and cannot be assimilated into existing mental structures. Uncertainty created by a gap between knowledge and experience triggers a need for accommodation (or knowledge restructuring) that promotes explanation and exploration, two crucial antecedents of learning. Valdesolo, Shtulman, & Baron, 2017

Learning can bring a sense of awe. When we find additional facts about a topic we already know well or learn about a topic we have never considered before, we need to make room in our minds for this new knowledge. Sometimes we have to make adjustments to what we already thought we knew. We can be left in disbelief with new information that stretches our already defined knowings.

We can also be in awe of the result or outcome of a skill we have just learned. When we are working on a skill we have expectations. Of course, we expect to master the skill at some level. Often we are still blown away when we do well.

Engaging in productive struggle is one of the surest ways of finding awe through learning. The harder we work, the more uncomfortable we get in the process, the more exhilarating the win can be. The further we take our learning, the more restructuring of our frame of reference we need to accommodate the information or experience.

I have been avoiding the productive struggle of bird photography. I was happy with the quality of most of my photos. My camera phone was not sufficient for bird photos. I finally bought an actual camera and decided to learn this form of photography.

On my first evening out, I thought I was zooming in and taking photos as any great bird photographer would do. It turns out, none of those photos were actually zoomed. I didn’t have any good photos, but I did have a bit of disappointment.

The next day, I tried again. The cover photo is the result. It is not birds. It is pinecones. In my defense, there was a bird there. Really. But, right after it flew away, I snapped the photo.

I waited patiently. It came back. When I saw the photo, I was in awe of my first bird photo with a real camera.

This little success gave me the motivation to get out and look for more birds and to learn more.

The learning curve can be rough, but it is well worth the reward! I can now believe it is possible, I can do it. There will be many Oh, that’s how it works moments as I practice. My learning will also include a lot about bird behavior as well. I anticipate many moments of awe on this learning journey!

Thanks for reading! I hope everyone will embark on a learning journey that brings them new levels of awe!

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