Hello, dear reader. I'm Leila Ribeiro, and I'm thrilled to share my journey and insights with you through my book, Learn, Unlearn, Relearn. As a design researcher and author, my passion for learning and design has shaped my career and my life. Let me take you through why I am so passionate about this field, why we need to rethink our approach to learning, and what my book offers to those eager to adapt to our ever-changing world.
My passion for learning and design ignited from a personal challenge I faced during my early years. When I was thirteen, a teacher told me I would never learn English. That remark left a profound impact on me, and instead of discouraging me, it fueled my determination to explore alternative learning methods. I realized that traditional methods don't suit everyone and that each individual has a unique learning pathway. This realization drove me to pursue multiple degrees in Information Science, Applied Linguistics, and Design. My goal has always been to ensure that no student in my classroom would ever leave with a bad learning experience.
We live in a world that is constantly evolving, and our approach to learning must evolve with it. The World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights the need of developing skills such as cognitive flexibility, emotional intelligence, and active learning strategies to navigate the complexities of the modern world. The rapid advancements in technology, including nanotechnology, genetics, and artificial intelligence, demand a dynamic and adaptive learning framework. Traditional linear learning models are simply not enough to keep up with these changes.
In Learn, Unlearn, Relearn, I introduce a framework designed to foster continuous and adaptive learning. This framework encourages you to question existing knowledge, discard outdated concepts, and embrace new information. It's about creating a cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning to stay relevant in an ever-changing environment. My approach is grounded in design thinking, circle design and non-conventional learning, promoting a non-linear, reflective, and iterative method of knowledge acquisition.
Source: Learn, Unlearn, Relearn book by Leila Ribeiro
One of the strengths of my book is its practical applicability. I provide actionable strategies for integrating this framework into your everyday life, making the complex process of adaptive learning accessible to everyone. I'll left here 3 practices you can add in your daily right now:
1. Learn:
Get Something New Every Day: Make a habit of incorporating micro-learning into your daily routine. Platforms like TikTok (#learnonTikTok) and online courses offer quick, informative content that can fit into even the busiest schedules. Engage with diverse topics to broaden your knowledge base.
2. Unlearn:
Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Identify and confront beliefs that hinder your growth. Whether it’s a self-imposed barrier or societal expectation, challenging these notions can lead to significant personal development. For example, trying out new skills, even if you initially doubt your ability, can be incredibly empowering, in my case I used to say that I didn't know how to draw, so I learned to draw beyond stickman-like. I learned how to draw Totoro in an online tutorial.
3. Relearn:
Observe and Share: Reflect on your learning experiences and share them with others. Using tools like digital journals such as Medium, LinkedIn or community forums can help track your progress and receive feedback. Engaging in discussions and knowledge-sharing can reinforce your learning and expose you to new perspectives.
Learn, Unlearn, Relearn is my way of guiding you through the transformative journey of adaptive learning. The framework and strategies I share in my book are designed to help you thrive in today’s fast-paced world. I hope you find it as enriching to read as it was for me to write.
You can find more information about the book and a free toolkit in sala.org.br/reaprenda ;)
I'm available to connect with you in linkedin.com/in/leilagirassol
And, answer in the comments: what did you learn today? =)
Leila is passionate about research and learning. She deeply believes that opportunities for researching and learning from it are everywhere, in every social context, and this allows us to find innovative solutions to problems that arise out of complex social systems. Her career has been focused on the intersection of Design, Learning and Innovation, which can result in powerful social transformations. She's a Consultant Design Researcher at Avenue Code.