Monday Morning Motivational Message - Having A Good Learning Conversation

What makes for a good learning conversation?

One of the most important tenets of a good educational conversation is the ability to listen.

But there is an important distinction to make when listening. Are you listening to understand, or are you listening to respond?

Active listening is the ability to hear what is being spoken so you understand what the person said and, possibly, what prompted them to divulge it.

Passive listening is formulating your response to what is said without considering what the other person is revealing or why they might be disclosing it.  

Here are four rules of a learning conversation from author and journalist Charles Duhigg:

1. Pay attention to the type of conversation that is occurring (emotional - hugged; social - heard; or practical - helped).

2. Share your goals and ask what others are seeking.

3. Ask about other's feelings and share your own.

4. Explore if identities are important to the discussion.  

I would also suggest remaining curious, especially in a learning conversation. Being inquisitive will allow for more probing questions that can allow the conversation to go deeper and you to gain more knowledge.

Please leave me your comments about what you believe is important when engaging in a learning discussion. Your opinions and perspectives are valuable, and I appreciate hearing from you.