5 Insights into Human Learning: paradigms from Peter Gray and Jinan KB

In our ever-evolving world, the process of learning remains at the core of our personal and professional growth. Understanding how we learn as human beings is a fascinating journey that can reshape our approach to education, both for ourselves and for the generations to come. I’ve had the opportunity to meet two remarkable people who are sources of wisdom, shedding light on this subject - Peter Gray, author of the book "Free to Learn" and Jinan KB. This article delves into the intricate nuances of human learning as explored in these sources, offering insights that challenge traditional paradigms and inspire new ways of fostering meaningful education and personal development.

• The Primacy of Play: Having organized conferences on the ‘Power Of Play’ and Play Ambassadors League (a group of people from 16 different countries, exploring how dis/similar play looks), you can consider me as a big proponent of play. "Free to Learn'' emphasizes the pivotal role of play in human learning. Author Peter Gray contends that play is not just a leisure activity but a fundamental aspect of how we acquire skills and knowledge. This echoes the teachings of Jinan KB, who emphasizes the importance of joyful exploration in the learning process. Both perspectives advocate for an educational environment that encourages curiosity, experimentation, and unstructured play, enabling learners to cultivate a genuine understanding of the world around them.?
• Self-Directed Learning: Both sources underscore the power of self-directed learning. In "Free to Learn," Gray argues that when individuals have the freedom to pursue their interests, they become more motivated and engaged in the learning process. Jinan KB's teachings align with this concept, emphasizing the value of personalized learning journeys that cater to individual strengths and passions. This approach nurtures a sense of autonomy and agency, fostering a deeper connection between learners and their education.?
• Learning Through Experience: The principle of experiential learning is another common thread between "Free to Learn" and Jinan KB's teachings. Gray contends that real-world experiences and hands-on exploration are integral to meaningful learning, allowing individuals to grasp concepts in a tangible and lasting way. Jinan KB's guidance similarly encourages learners to immerse themselves in practical experiences, enabling them to bridge the gap between theory and application. Both sources advocate for a holistic approach that values immersive learning opportunities. Even in Ancient India, we see the same wisdom where the predominant way of learning (outside the Gurukulas) was through apprenticeship. If one had to learn a skill, they had to work as an apprentice and not just as a theory from some book.

• Embracing Failure and Resilience: "Free to Learn" highlights the importance of embracing failure as a natural part of the learning process. Gray suggests that allowing individuals to encounter and overcome challenges fosters resilience and adaptability. Jinan KB's teachings echo this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative power of setbacks and difficulties. Both perspectives champion a growth mindset that views failures as stepping stones toward growth and success, rather than stumbling blocks. KB Jin an, especially emphasizes on the ‘construction of knowledge’ Vs the mere ‘understanding of information’ paradigm, forcing me to think about all the knowledge we acquire throughout our lives as a result of just hearing about it and not really thinking about it.
• Community and Collaboration: The significance of community and collaboration in human learning is a cornerstone of both "Free to Learn" and Jinan KB's teachings. Gray explores the value of social interactions and cooperative learning, asserting that peers play a crucial role in expanding one another's knowledge and perspectives. Similarly, Jinan KB emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive learning community, calling it a ‘collective consciousness’ that we all share. These perspectives highlight the role of relationships in creating enriching learning environments.?

The insights gleaned from "Free to Learn" by Peter Gray and the teachings of Jinan KB offer a profound reimagining of how we learn as human beings. By prioritizing play, self-directed learning, experiential education, resilience, and community, these sources challenge conventional educational paradigms and inspire a more holistic, empowering approach to personal and professional growth. These learnings have shaped the way we think of education at Tapas Education . Using PBL (Project Based Learning) as the pedagogy, we are able to navigate the ever-changing landscape of education, embracing these insights and working toward creating learning environments that nurture curiosity, foster creativity, and empower individuals to become lifelong learners.