Personal Experience Reflection the Informal

Personal Experience Reflection The informal learning experience is a particularly useful experience. The major aspect of informal learning is learning in a very unstructured and pleasurable manner. These two elements were very important to me as I learnt about building computers and other aspects of digital technology. The learning process was unhurried and felt very natural. I would easily learn other things in the same manner. I learnt much of the things I did through working on solving problems with my computer and assisting friends with their problems.

As I reflect on my learning approach I recognize that I utilized multiple sources as points of learning. The first source was the informal knowledge of persons who I knew as enthusiasts. Some of my friends tinkered with different type of computer software and hardware issues. I would go to their home and observe what they were doing and ask questions. At this stage I was merely interested in the computer and learnt about operating systems and installing different hardware. The learning process involved watching them install hardware items.

Following an installation they may have to trouble shoot problems that would develop. The trouble shooting was very informative as it allowed me to observe aberrant problems that would not be seen in regular computer usage. There were times however when the problem could not be solved based one the knowledge that was available and we turned to a magazine. The magazine was the first point of reference when attempting to understand a problem and resolve an issue. The magazine had the most current information about the subject under examination.

Additionally, most of the magazines carried a help section, in which you could see responses to problems that may have been similar to the one that you were experiencing. The magazine provided a wealth of practical solutions. Looking back at this stage of the process it is clear that I was not engaging a lot of theoretical knowledge about the problems. The magazine was a very good source of immediate practical solutions. Most of these solutions generally worked.

However, there were occasions when the solution provided failed to work and the problem remained. At this stage it would be necessary to have a better or more in-depth understanding of the problem. It was at this stage I would turn to a book. The books would provide a deeper explanation of the problem and give greater theoretical elaboration on the issue.

In reading the book to understand the issue, I was exposed to theories that were at times complex but which the understanding of would be necessary to solve the problem. In this case I was teaching myself problem solving and integrating the variant forms of knowledge I possessed to produce a complete solution. There were occasions when it became necessary to ask a more experienced technician who assisted by providing better explanations than the book possessed. The explanations were easier to understand and stated in simpler language.

Another interesting aspect of the experience is that I was aware that I was learning. In that I knew that I was acquire more knowledge about technical stuff. What I was not aware of was the depth of knowledge I have acquired on my own. This only became clear when I attempted to do the A+ examination. I could do the examination without any type of formal schooling on the subject.

The examination was attempted just as a dare but I became aware of the quantum I had learnt through that experience. Additionally, when I spoke to professionals in the field who had years of schooling, I could understand what they were talking about. I was also at times able to suggest solutions to problems they faced that they did not think about. I felt that I was becoming more divergent in my thinking and knowledge acquisition process.

This feeling spurred my on to learn more even though there would be no certification what I was learning. This understanding of informal learning has alerted me to the possibilities that exist in every sphere of life for learning. In my particular job I have come to understand that I should be more willing to engage in different activities. The engagement in divergent activities, even those that are beyond my comfort zone provides a critical opportunity for informal learning.

I also realize that I could learn from my peers by observing them teach, or listening to the solutions they have employed for better classroom management of problems. My students have also become a critical source of learning about my job. As I listen to them I gain new knowledge about the types.