I need an essay completed for Course Unit Analysis using A prior Week Reflection

Running head: DOUBLE-LOOP 1

DOUBLE-LOOP LEARNING REFLECTION 5

Double-Loop Learning Reflection

Capella University

Introduction

The double-loop reflection is an educational concept created by Chris Argyris in the 1980s. The double-loop concept calls for coaching learners to consider intensely about their expectations or personal theories and then change them. The habits or behaviors of people are mostly because of deeply held beliefs that they learned from past experiences. The double-loop learning concept therefore seeks to change the underlying beliefs held by the individuals after which a new behavior can develop. In teaching a class of adult learners varying from the age of 27 years as the youngest and 74 years for the oldest about diet and lifestyle choices, the double-loop learning concept would be a valuable tool to use (Ervin & Slife, 2019).

Double-Loop Learning Reflection

The double-loop learning concept is an effective tool for this adult class and the topic since the older learners already have deeply held beliefs and assumptions about their diet and lifestyle choices. Double-loop learning happens when a mistake is identified and then corrected in ways that demand the tempering of fundamental policies, objectives, and norms (Noonan, 2007). In applying the double-loop learning concept, the first step would be to establish self-awareness among the learners. Self-awareness occurs when the learners are guided to identify their own conscious and unconscious behaviors regarding their diet and lifestyle choices. The learners will reflect on their behaviors to identify and understand the various ways their dietary and lifestyle choices affect their life as a result of their choices (Law & Chuah, 2020).

The next step in using the double-loop learning method is guiding learners to honestly discuss and reflect on their behaviors in relation to their dietary and lifestyle choices. The honest discussion will help the learners think deeply about their underlying beliefs and assumptions that directly influence their behaviors. The learners in the older age category have strongly held beliefs and assumptions that they learned and followed from a young age. The beliefs and assumptions could have been learned from friends, parents or gained from personal experiences while growing up (Law & Chuah, 2020). An honest discussion about the mistakes that they have made will prepare the younger learners to adapt new behaviors.

The third step with the double-loop learning concept is guiding the learners to take responsibility for their behavior. By the third step the learners have already identified their behaviors, underlying beliefs leading to the habits and how the choices made are affecting their life. The third step involves guiding the learners to learn that they have the power to change and make better choices that will have a positive effect on their lives. The learners will therefore be urged to take responsibility of their actions and make conscious choices that improve their lives (Law & Chuah, 2020).

When using the double-loop learning concept factors such as the cultural diversity of the group should be considered as different cultures hold different beliefs that influence their behaviors and choices. This topic of discussion should also be considered as the double-loop concept of learning which works best in areas that the learners can examine and experiment with their theories of action. This is also where questioning can determine the actual underlying expectations. The double-loop learning is positive for educating the learners as it addresses the root causes of the problems and calls for changes. The learning method is good for long term and transformational changes on the addressed the topic. The double-loop learning however has the drawbacks of hard to implement effectively and a potential for conflict as it challenges the status quo. The method also requires time and investment to give results (Furstenberg & Gorzig, 2020).

Conclusion

Double-loop learning can be effective in the right situation. The double-loop learning concept necessitates aiming and probing the beliefs and assumptions that a person holds. It directly influences behaviors. Double loop learning looks at the big picture and tries to steer efforts in the right direction. Double-loop learning is mostly applied after a crisis (McLucas, 2003). It is important, however, that one understands double loop learning and applies it regularly to make sure that one’s effort is put to optimal use in educational platforms. By the end of a lesson using the double-loop learning concept, learners should have improved decision making, behaviors, and acceptance of their mistakes.

References

Ervin, J., & Slife, N. (2019). Double-Loop Learning: An Approach to Critical Thinking. UNLV Best Teaching Practices Expo. 57. https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/btp_expo/57.

Furstenberg, M., & Gorzig, C. (2020). Learning in a Double Loop. Perspectives on Terrorism, 14(1), 26-38.

Law, K. M., & Chuah, K. B. (Eds.). (2020). Project Action Learning (PAL) Guidebook: Practical Learning in Organizations. Springer.

McLucas, A. C. (2003). Decision Making: Risk Management, Systems Thinking and Situation Awareness. Argos Press.

Noonan, W. (2007). Discussing the Undiscussable: A Guide to Overcoming Defensive Routines in the Workplace. Jossey-Bass.