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in article , BCITORGB
at wrote on 10/15/05 8:27 PM:

Michael says:
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I've learned a lot over the years from lots of people. I'm not
going to pretend that I don't owe them a great deal. That doesn't mean
that I desperately need a professional instructor - even a single
word from an experienced person can turn on a light.
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I concur 100%.

Why do I have this funny feeling (trying not to speak for KMAN here)
KMAN wouldn't disagree either.

I wouldn't :-)

I've been trying to make the simple point that SOME people are capable of
learning on their own.

I further understand and agree that with some people and/or with certain
skills being self-taught could mean a longer learning curve than would be
epxerienced with professional instruction.

But I firmly believe ALL people SHOULD be capable of learning without
professional instruction. The fact that some are not (or think they are not)
is evidence for me of a problem in our culture - that the learning instinct
has been beaten out of some of the human beings in our society.

My own approach to supporting the learning of others is to view my role as a
facilitator. I am not "teaching" them. Teaching from that perspective is
something you "do to" someone. I prefer to understand it is a process we are
sharing together. I am going to learn things from them as well (and that's
for me the most rewarding thing about supporting people to learn).

I facilitate their learning - making sure they are in charge, rather than
adopting a superior instructor vs inferior learner approach. Professional or
otherwise, that's the perspective I look for in choosing professionals that
help me in my own life.