Tuesday, July 31, 2012

a not-so-old Old Saw

Since I found this  proverb of competence-and-consciousness on a web-forum discussing construction nails, I think it best to call it by the synonym, Old Saw. Because I wish to remember it, I post it here:
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1) Unconsciously Incompetent: He knows not, and knows not that he knows not. He is a fool. Shun him.
2) Consciously Incompetent: He knows not, and knows that he knows not. He is simple. Teach him.
3) Unconsciously Competent: He knows, and knows not that he knows. He is asleep. Wake him.
4) Consciously Competent: He knows, and knows that he knows. He is wise. Follow him.
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Note, however, I have no reason to doubt Wikipedia that this old saw is far younger than I:
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Initially described as “Four Stages for Learning Any New Skill”, the theory was developed at the Gordon Training International by its employee Noel Burch in the 1970s.[1] It has since been frequently attributed to Abraham Maslow, although the model does not appear in his major works.[2]
The Four Stages of Learning provides a model for learning. It suggests that individuals are initially unaware of how little they know, or unconscious of their incompetence. As they recognise their incompetence, they consciously acquire a skill, then consciously use that skill. Eventually, the skill can be done without consciously being thought through, and the individual is said to have unconscious competence. [3]
Several elements, including helping someone 'know what they don't know' or recognize a blind spot, can be compared to some elements of a Johari window, although Johari deals with self-awareness, while the four stages of competence deals with learning stages.

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