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The 4 Stages of Competence | My wife read a magazine while we were waiting in the doctors’ office and found a learning model that has changed my perspective on learning.

The core of the idea is that in order to gain a competence in a skill it is necessary first to recognize that there is more to learn. I personally find the point of view refreshing because it gives me permission not to be perfect yet. It is expected, in fact necessary, for mistakes to be made in order for me to get better.

Before I can achieve competence I must recognize that I am incompetent.

All skill development goes through this stage. It is the stage in the process where most of us quit. If we do however wish to gain the skill a conscious effort must be made. This is a stage of faith. A willingness to invest consistent effort over time to become competent. It is not immediate gratification.

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The following is a condensed version from Wikipedia.

Unconscious incompetence

The individual does not understand or know how to do something and does not necessarily recognize the deficit.

Conscious incompetence

Though the individual does not understand or know how to do something, he or she does recognize the deficit, as well as the value of a new skill in addressing the deficit.

Conscious competence

The individual understands or knows how to do something. However, demonstrating the skill or knowledge requires concentration.

Unconscious competence

The individual has had so much practice with a skill that it has become “second nature” and can be performed easily.

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As children we enjoy a stage where ignorance is bliss. We draw, dance, and sing, because we like it without worrying that it is “good enough”. Then one day when we realize that there is long way to go before we can really draw, sing, and dance, well. We say things like “I can’t draw a straight line”. What gave us pleasure a few days ago now seems unattainable.

All learning requires a recognition of incompetency. So today I give you permission to be incompetent so that you might become competent.

What skill are you trying to gain competency ?

August’s Caterpillar | One of my favorite home movies

Wouldn’t it be nice to be young when everyday was a musical?

Created with Halftone, an iPhone app.

This past weekend our family experienced a great tragedy. Our sixth grade science teacher passed away in an accident. I have heard about Mr. McCullaugh over and over again since he first began teaching at our middle school. Our oldest daughter was in his class his first year teaching. His experiments and demonstrations were legendary and we would hear about his class nearly every day.

Our next two children had the opportunity to be in his class as well. So for the last 4 years we have had Mr. McCullaugh as a part of our family. He engaged my children in learning and they loved him for it.

We received a call Sunday afternoon that he passed away and that his viewing was that evening. His family was so gracious to our three children and his wife treated them with respect as she told them that he loved his students.

I wish he were still with us and I wish our teachers knew how much impact they have on our children. He was a great man among so many that give so much to teach our children.

The chicks began hatching and so far there are four with three more starting to hatch. It looks like we will have seven new chicks in the morning. Who knows, the other two might hatch and then we would have nine. The bantam chickens eggs are a bit bigger than a ping pong ball which means that the new chicks are really small. It is amazing to watch the eggs hatch. Once they get started it takes about a half an hour to break out of the shell and then a half an hour to get dry and fluffy. It is so amazing. I can hardly wait to check on them in the morning.

I guess that I am really getting old. When I was not so much younger than I am now it seemed easier to keep up with technology, but Facebook was just too much for me. Facebook guilt (not responding to all of the old friends that I haven’t talked to in 20 years). So in order to keep sane I have deleted my Facebook account and I feel as if a weight has been lifted.