Creative Discussion – Which Is Better, Being Taught or Learning?
With the luck we are having engaging the creative community here at Fuel Your Creativity, we see no reason to not continue the on-going dialog with our online friends and colleagues. The creative discussions are proving a hit, sometimes spawning posts beyond the final discussion wrap-up. And in this next installment of queries about the creative process we need to explain the question a bit. You may think that being taught and learning are the same thing, but for the sake of this discussion, learning is related to the knowledge we seek and teach ourselves. The process we develop of our own accord, not simply the process we are taught by someone else.
Remember this is an open discussion with the creative community, so feel free to chime in below in the comments to keep the flow of dialog moving. After leaving the discussion open for the month, we will be compiling some of the responses into a post on the topic at hand, so be sure to keep checking in on the talk as things develop.
Which is better, being taught or learning?
Don’t pretend you don’t know the drill…Discuss:
Rob is the talented author and graphic designer, celebrated podcaster and poet, who is now the co-editor and imaginative co-contributor of Fuel Your Creativity. With a background working through most areas of the arts, Rob works from a creative wellspring that shows no signs of running dry.
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Once again, I will get the ball rolling. We had a guest post recently that got us thinking about this. Which is better? Being taught something or learning it for yourself. And I have to err on the side of the learning. Sure, being taught in a structured environment can be a helpful foundation, but I think it’s where we go from there, on our own, and what we learn to do with and for ourselves, that makes our creative endeavors all the more inspired and rewarding.
Hi Rob,
Its not so much one being better then the other.
I think the basics are best to learn in a structured environment and once you have that down then you will excel by teaching yourself and learning.
You’re right, Joe, perhaps it would have been better worded, ‘Which do you prefer?’.
I had the chance to see the both “worlds”. To be taught is grate, you get everything on a silver plate, you get all the info you need, or do you? The good part of taught is that somebody explains everything do you, puts the bricks of your knowledge foundation, but sometimes a house needs more then a wall, more then a window, needs essence, needs purpose. You will be taught only a small proportion of the actual “thing”, if I can call it that. When we speak about learning on your own, ooo baby, now that’s where the action really happens. You get to learn on your passe, you are not focused only on one aspect of the problem, and sometimes if your lucky you can fall in love (sorry for the drama).
The sad part of being taught is that the the academic world and practical world, sometimes they do a number on you, even if they look the same, they act differently. I just got my bachelors degree in marketing and let me tell you, the marketing I was taught and the real marketing that is applied this days, yummy, it can confuse you. But when you learn it all by yourself, from real life, when you interact you get to see more things, understand better the process and finally,create something. I taught myself web development and graphic design so I think I can relate to the subject. At the end of the day, when you trace the line and get cataloged : “ya, he is a professional!” it’s not about your diploma or what lame ass power you got, it’s about the results you get.
Some really good points raised, Sergiu. Thanks. And true, in the end, the results you get are what matters.
Teaching is definitely better than learning, becuase it generally encompasses both. Unless you already know your subject inside out then teaching is the best (and scariest) way to learn something new. Many times I have heard of schoolteachers being one page ahead of their students.
Thanks, Richard, and while I wasn’t asking if teaching was better, as much as I was asking if being taught by someone is better than learning, as much as I was asking if being taught by someone else was better than learning on your own, but I see your point. In order to teach something well, you have to have a truly in depth understanding of the subject.
Learning something on your own has a greater personal reward value. The good feeling that flows from tackling and defeating a problem will never get old.
Being taught something properly sparks the self-learning process. A good teacher should encourage self-advancement, directly or passively.
Both are equally valuable for the fact that you are simply learning.
Thanks for that take, Eric. True there is value in both. And I really do agree that a good teacher will encourage self-advancement, but I have seen many who are threatened by such actions and discourage it as well.
I think its best to learn things yourself, through trial and error and with experience. I have taken formal art and design classes, but I feel like I get more from just doing the work and trying new things. Being ‘taught’ the ‘proper’ way to use type, text, and form are a great foundation for the way people did things in the past. Great to learn new ways of expressing your creativity outside of the confines of what past greats have done. Take those lessons and CREATE something bold and different!
Martha, I could not agree with you more. I see experience as the ultimate teacher. Not to say that other means and methods are not sound, but experience is by far, my favorite.
I’m with you on this one Rob and here’s why. First off I want to say that being taught is by no means a bad way of gaining knowledge. I believe that it is a great way to get things going. Depending on the subject it can be quite overwhelming at the beginning. Not knowing where to start is a sure way to give up. Hence having someone lead the way is a great help.
However once the initial contact has been assured it is important to think for ourselves. I remember being taught in school that there are different panels to learning: visual, audio and action (I might have mislabeled them and forgot some, but for the sake of making this point it’ll be sufficient). Being taught mostly adresses the first 2, whereas learning on your own emphasizes on the action. This has been proven to have the greatest success rate in terms of actually remembering the things you learn.
Teaching yourself is certainly more time consuming, but at the same time more rewarding.
I also wanted to share a tip I use all the time when it comes to tutorials. This technique applies to intermediate to advanced users only. Beginners should stick to following tutorials step by step until they’ve gained some knowledge of the program (this is directly related to the point I made earlier). So here goes: rather than following the tutorial step by step simply read it (and make sure you understand all the steps involved). If they don’t make sense to you chances are you’re not as advanced as you thought. Wait a day or two and try to reproduce the tutorial without reading it again. You’ll notice that some techniques you’ll have remembered while others you’ll substitute by your own. The outcome almost never is the same as the tutorial, but that’s a good thing. You will have learned new techniques and added your personal touch.
As a last word I would like to say that there’s no better way to learn than through trial and error.
Brilliantly said, Franz! I could not have said it better. And I love the tutorial tip, thanks for that! You rock.
I think a little of both will help. At any stage seeking out a teacher will help you but there is never a substitute for actually completing something yourself, you can retain so much more from learning but often need the direction and guidance that can come from being taught at some stage.
@Franz Jeitz I like the idea of doing tutorials a few days after to see what you can remember. It’s no good doing it and thinking right I can do all that now and putting it away for x months.
Thanks, Dave, I agree. Both have benefits, but there is no substitute for the hands on knowledge we gain.
I’d have to say it depends on the person. Some people thrive on having someone show the way as opposed to exploring it themselves. Personally teaching myself has always worked out. I agree with Franz that it might be a more time consuming route, but I find in th end that I retain the knowledge much easier.
I too, think that it depends on the person, but I think overall, that which we learn on our own, we retain better, just as said.
I would say “Learning” is better – in that knowledge are retained more and it is through self-discovery and exploration that leaves a stronger impression.
Well, to put it in another way of saying, “learning” is proactive whereas “being taught” is passive. I prefer to be proactive in my pursuit of knowledge, because I want to decide what I want to learn, know what I’m learning.
True education is never spoonfed.
QFE ‘True education is never spoonfed.’!
I like the passive/proactive take. Thanks!
A good teacher will always ensure the class involves activities that place the student in the learning/exploring mode.
I’m a former school (Visual Arts) teacher, a current workshop tutor and a lifelong self-taught learner, I find that combining teaching/being taught first with learning exploration afterward is the solution most likely to work ‘efficiently’ across the board; ie. maximize potential and minimize wasted resources – time, materials, etc.
Nicely said, Finola. Perhaps the more optimum approach is a combo!
I think that sometimes we need to be taught in order to be motivated to learn. I know that getting a BFA in graphic design definitely helped spark my yearning for design and web related knowledge.
I can see that. Great point, Niki.
I find learning for yourself THEN being taught is the optimal way to go. After years of teaching myself, I now find that my education lacks in certain respects because I only taught myself the things I wanted to learn. In school, you are also taught the things you don’t want to learn, but should learn in order to be more well rounded. Now, if I went back to school (which i do sometimes with evening classes) I can pick up the things that I lack and throw away the extraneous stuff which I would not know was extraneous had I not educated myself to a large degree. Get me? -dp
“Youth is wasted on the young” AND SO IS COLLEGE!
I’m feeling you on that one, dp. It makes sense. Like Finola said, perhaps the combo is the best way to go.
Also, I’ve heard some artists say that although they spent their whole lives being educated in art, they still cannot achieve the freedom, expressiveness and vision that they see from artists with no formal education. They are stuck in the technique aspect of their chosen field.
Ah, and therein, lies the crux of the situation…for some. :)
I believe that self-learning is essentially more important. Someone who is taught a skill from “scratch” won’t have any questions to ask, whereas if you learn by yourself, you run into problems that need answering. I think that’s the best time for an external teacher to come into play.
Mike, while I agree with you mostly, I would point out that there are some teachers who will present the material in a thoughtful enough way, as to provoke questions and stimulate thought. Though, having said that, this is not always the case.
Learn, Teach, Learn, Teach, Learn…
When I went to school, I’d already been creating (bad) web sites for years. I wasn’t any good at it but I grasped the overall basics. So, I went to school and obtained a bit of structure and direction for what I was trying to accomplish. Admittedly, the stuff they were teaching in the class were a bit too basic(frames?!), so I ignored much of it but things like CSS I’d never heard of before and I began to seek out more information on it. The classes barley touched the surface on anything worth learning… so I learned to seek answers for myself.
Also, sitting with other people who had similar interests, I began to appreciate what others were doing. So I’m always keeping an eye out on trends and well done sites.
So which is better? For me, the two are intertwined. I wouldn’t be where I am without either.
Thanks for your personal perspective on this, Anrkist. I can see how that would have built a pretty solid foundation for you!
Franz hit the nail on right on the head (at least when in my case). Everyone does in fact have different preferred style of learning. I know that after a traditional classroom course is over I’ve retained only bits and pieces of the material that was reviewed, however I retain much more if its something that I’ve taken the time to find myself and learn on my own. It more to do with the fact that I’m more interested in that particular material which I’ve found myself.
Either way, as long as we continue to lean, then we continue to grow. Great discussion! I look forward to reading more.
I agree, Mike, the most important thing is that we always allow ourselves to continue to grow in our knowledge. This is fundamental. Thanks for participating in the conversation.
One can’t deny the fact that having a structured learning environment is beneficial to keep one on track. But one thing I’ve come to realize in my 4+ years as a creative professional is that spending big bucks for this structure is not necessary in this field. Most of the time I come away thinking “I could have done my own research on this subject matter,” which as a matter of fact is what I do now. Learn on my own. Of course it all starts with being taught and it is up to you to continue your own education and keep up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
I agree with you that the cost of the formal education is a huge detractor for a lot of folks. Especially those who tend to retain less in such settings.
In engineering, we have an accreditation mandated goal that our students will be able to engage in life-long learning. I would argue that an engineering educator that embraces that goal starts out teaching students in their first year, and in their last year of the program expects students to be learning on their own. A structure for learning is always helpful, but being able to learn on your own is much more powerful in the marketplace.
Thanks, Mark, I didn’t know that about engineering. Again, using a combination is seeming to prove popular. Solid foundation gets laid that way.
Learning on your own and then being taught. (I agree with dp) If you dive into something unknown, you will get a great feeling for whether or not you enjoy it. Is it challenging? Do you enjoy the process? Does it provide a good creative outlet?
Once you find that you enjoy it, then it’s time to learn the established techniques or standards to help build your skills.
Thanks, Dan. True. The formal setting can sap the fun from an area, so if you get in there first and have a ball, then the formal becomes a secondary reinforcement of the area, not an introduction that could turn you off of it altogether.
The best way to learn a subject is to teach it!
Um, okay, but if you teach it, don’t you have to learn it first? ;p
I have to say that it depends on the situation. I tend to be someone who likes learning and feels motivated to seek out information on something I want to know more about. But there are times that a new topic I’m interested in is so completely overwhelming that I don’t even know where to start. I’ve found that in those situations even a one-time seminar taught by an expert is invaluable in giving me some direction as well as some ideas for resources I could use to learn more on my own.
Different people have different learning styles. Some people simply can’t learn by just reading a set of step by step instructions and benefit a lot more from someone walking them through it and answering questions along the way. Others are easily distracted and like having a structured class setting and an instructor to keep them accountable to themselves.
I can say that when I’m looking to hire front end developers, I definitely look for people who are self-taught. It says a lot about their passion for their career and their motivation to continue learning in a field where everything is constantly changing.
Thanks, Natalie, you make some solid points. I agree that the self-taught do seem to demonstrate a passion for their chosen careers. It speaks to a dedication and focus that they have given themselves.
Learning gives you the benefits of weeding through information that you already know or that you feel is irrelevant to your needs. It’s more gritty and you only have yourself to depend on.
Being taught is good because it lets someone else challenge you, you have another mind that opens you up to things you may not have thought about. However, it can have the downfall of dependency.
I prefer a little bit of both… I love being taught by my peers and learning on my own.
Was teaching an option also? That’s a whole different story…
Teaching wasn’t an original option but it seems to be gaining ground ;)! I’m seeing a lot of pull for a mixture and I like the discussion and insights that its yielding. Thanks for chiming in!
I believe that both are valid processes for improving and gaining knowledge. There is no rule that says both are mutually inclusive or exclusive.
Being taught by someone with experience of the subject is good, as long as they are providing a foundation, a map, so to speak, where it is easier for students to organize all the information they collect. A teacher, ideally, should encourage independent questioning and research, they should provide a good framework for learning. Then the process becomes easier, more efficient and far more fulfilling than letting the student flounder in a sea of information and not knowing where to start or end. Pointing out weakness in a thought process or challenging us to take different view points of learning, that too is good in a teacher.
Being taught TO, ( I have had many teachers of that sort) i.e. being told exactly what to think, and exactly what to do and being penalized if one deviates from those rigid guidelines, that has never been acceptable to me. I don’t know how others feel about it. I have been also told to study in a particular way, e.g. to learn by rote, which is probably not a good thing.
Learning is a never ending process. In school/ college we are helped along the way by teachers and lessons. When we get out into the real world, we are still learning, through experience, from our colleagues and motivated on our own. Finally it is up to us to learn, whether we are given the information or we research on our own, getting the stuff into our heads is always up to us.
I feel a really good teacher (Be it a parent, a mentor or in an educational institution) imparts a good sense of discipline, structure and encourages a questioning mind, all of which is indispensable when it comes to learning on our own.
Brilliantly said. So many great points, that I just want to say, brilliant.
I too am not a fan of the strict, no deviation method of teaching, and have had my share.
Being taught is great, it is the substance on which the art of learning is created. I will prefer to use the word ’self-training’ as against learning because the process of teaching embodies learning as it is instruction based like a teaher-student realtionship. Personally, studying and iobserving things which we later sum up to project our own ideas or style, to me, is far more beneficial to sitting in a class under the guardianship of an instructor. It may be applicvable in some fields but in the vast sea of CREATIVITY where one can taste salty water, another dirty water, others warm, cold, or hot water, I am convinced that the greatest way to becoming a master of one’s art is a little learning added up with much self-training. This, however, does not totally condemn the role of a teacher/ instructor as it has its advantage like a map to set one’s foot on the path after that glorious moment of discovery.
Wonderfully put, Akeem. I too, would hope that no one thinks we are condemning the role of a good instructor. Just because we feel a more optimal approach is to strike out on one’s own, does not mean that we do not see the merit of the instructor who lays a good foundation for us.
with learning myself, i retain the knowledge for much longer than if i were taught something. but, when being taught, i always feel like i’m doing it correctly. if i teach myself, i worry that there might be a better (or more correct) way of doing something. both definitely have their benefits.
Thanks, Melek. I agree.
I have to say self learning in creative fields is best. Not that I’m immune to the argument for structure having spent a great deal of time in higher education. The point being is that creativity is something learned. The most creative art, in my opinion, is art delicately balanced between the known structures of the form and experiment resulting in something familiar but yet new. In this regard, I think it takes passion for a subject and I think you can only get that passion through self-learning. The best advice that has ever been given to me came from a drawing instructor, “Do me a favor. Learn everything I’m teaching you now and then forget everything I’ve taught you after you leave the course.”
Joel, I would have to say that I have had an instructor or two in my day that inspired a passion for the subject that drove me to seek more knowledge on my own. That passion can be initiated for us, I believe, by someone else.
A great teacher is a gift to the world. Just knowing something and passing it on to someone else doesn’t make you a teacher. Having a passion, and feeling responsible for passing that passion and that knowledge on to someone else–that’s teacher. That, and imparting a sense of responsibility to continue learning and growing too.
For me, I learned EVERYTHING I know about computers and how to use them on my own. I feel a great sense of accomplishment in that. I started on an art board with wax and an Xacto knife, and have been working on a Mac for 20+ years (YIKES!!!) I learned it all on my own. But the basis for every decision I make design-wise, comes not only from what I feel inside, but from what I was TAUGHT. Taught about color, and light, and balance, and about how to draw greatness out of your soul…all from people who felt such a passion for art and design. And as someone who has always felt that same passion for graphic design and art, BOTH learning and being taught have played equal roles in making me who I am as an artist. I learn every day. And I also use what I’ve been taught.
How lucky are we that we have a career where we even USE the word passion?
Fantastically put, Kathy, really well said.
And yes, we are so lucky!
I suppose that to some degree it depends on the person and what they want to accomplish. Generally speaking there is a greater sense of satisfaction and personal growth that comes with “Learning” specifically. Despite the efforts of anyone individual to teach, the capacity and speed with which one can learn, is an implication of one’s potential or ability.
When one looks at what they are taught they also have to taken into account who taught them, it’s hard to boast you own abilities against a completely self taught person that rivals or surpasses you not only in say creativity, but their understanding of technique, application, and so on when you invested so much for the opportunity to be “Taught”, added to the fact that you are left to second guess how much of your talent comes from you and the measure of what you would have been forced to learn those lessons without assistance.
Personally my own experience has dictated that I was not able to truly advance as an artist and designer until I took my education into my own hands, though I was provided an excellent foundation to work from by instructors.
I now find that I have yet to reach the limits of autodidactic learning, but would still benefit from instruction refining specific abilities, like illustration or painting.
Very good points, Roberto. I think you will find you are not alone in your statement, ‘I was not able to truly advance as an artist and designer until I took my education into my own hands’. If nothing else, I’m sure that others would have to agree that in most cases that is at least when they were freer to grow in their fields at that point.
Both?
Personally, I think that learning is better. You learn to learn, identify and solve problems, figure out what is important in a large scope of things and also develop a sense of fearlessness where not knowing how to do something is not a barrier.
The one down side is, for me anyhow, is that you sometimes lack structure, order and fundamentals.
The best of all possible worlds would be, someone who is driven enough to learn most on their own, but having someone around to ask questions have discussions with. For me that’s one of the great revolutions of the internet. How many resources are available to me in the dead of night from like minded folks around the world. Still nice to have a good friend or co-work to bug sometimes though.
If I head to pick one though, I’d pick learning. My co-workers want me to show them everything all the time and it’s a thankless circle sometimes, especially, when I just go to google to find the answer and I wonder why in the hell they could not be bothered to do that.
I agree, count. The internet has made learning so much more accessible, and generally scheduled just how you like or need it to be. That is one of the reasons I love community outreach projects like, Chat Creative and DCTH so much. They strive to bring the creative community together to help each other out and share experiences and insights from which we can all learn, and they do it brilliantly.
I think merit can be found in both methods. Personally, I wish more of my creative education had been taught.
The course I’m doing now hasn’t been the most informative. I entered first year expecting to have a timetable full of lectures and workshops. However, the structure was more “here’s a brief, go do it”. This was ok for the majority of the class who had already been to college, but for me, who had come straight from high school with very limited knowledge of the basics of design, it was incredibly intimidating! I worked through it to the best of my ability, and although now I look back and cringe, I feel proud of what I did with so little teaching at the time.
In January, I had a three month placement with a small web design company. I genuinely believe I learned more there in three days than I had in three years of university. The company designer was entirely self taught and although we didn’t always agree on designs, I learned a lot from her. When there was no work for me I spent my time researching design blogs and websites and I think this has made a significant impression on my latest works this year.
I enjoy taking my learning into my own hands but I think I would be more confident in myself as a designer if I had gotten some basic training in the principles of design. However, one good thing that has come from not being taught is I’m not constrained to a certain way of designing, as some people have mentioned above. True, I’m still finding my feet, but I’m enjoying discovering how to do it my way.
I agree, Laura, there is merit…
I also see where you are coming from with wanting to have had a foundation set down before you went off on your own, and perhaps that is the way to go. Thanks for sharing.
To answer the original question, I agree with the others that the structure and guidance of being taught is important, but you cannot really internalize or learn something without learning and doing something for your self, first-hand. Doing so successfully requires motivation and provides experience – 2 things that being taught alone cannot replace and cannot surpass.
I also want to touch on the act of teaching as a method of learning.
Yes, you have to either “learn” or be “taught” something before you can “teach” it. But I have found that teaching something acutally reinforces your own learning. In my experience, the act of explaining something to someone else, either by demonstration or by verbal/written communication, really requires the teacher to synthesize the information an organized, concrete way. Teaching and learning can be reciprocal in the way it reinforces for the teacher what they already know about the subject. Furthermore, it causes the teacher to consider the subject matter from different angles and points of view in order to effecitvely reach the students. Also, interactions with students can open up new avenues of consideration for the teacher.
So, Teaching, in a way, is like learning. Whether you were originally taught something or if you learned it on your own, going forward and teaching it requires you internalize the information in a deep way, which is a more effective way to learn than just being taught something and more synergistic than simply learning something on your own.
Very nicely put, Kate. When I was a corporate trainer for the restaurants I used to work at, the constant teaching of the information, did make the info second nature for me. After a while (since you end up teaching the same thing week after week) I wouldn’t even have to reference the manuals anymore. It was just there. Cemented in my mind. So I understand what you mean.
Everyone is really giving great insight. As for me, I think being taught is invaluable, but, the learning process, itself, is key. Without a good learning process, ie, styles, habits and routines, teaching would be in vain.
This should be interesting. I have been learning Photoshop, on my own, for over a year. Last week I found out about an online course which I signed up for. It will be interesting, to me, to see what I have been able to learn on my own. The first class was all stuff I have learned, already. I’ll see what happens and let ya’ll know. LOL
I had a professor in college who gave us the tools to good learning habits.
Thank you,
Su
Its better to learn because you can easily be taught something you don’t have any passion for and then your interest will wear off.
For example I was taught Photoshop and Video Editing (Premier) at college as part of my Multimedia course but I never, ever really loved doing the video work. The funny thing was I always was interested in video work but as soon as I started to do it I realised I had no creative drive to make anything I was ultimately proud of.
I picked up all of my web design skills (HTML, CSS, JS etc) pretty much on my own and because I had a passion and drive and a some design ability I was able to learn without realising because I enjoyed it so much.
At the end of the day I’d say if you love something, you will learn it. But if you need to know or do something you will be taught it.
Take driving for example. I don’t love to drive and am not very good at it. For this reason I was practically forced into how to do it simply because its an important life skill (took me almost 6 years to get a licence).
Weirdly, I love cars, engineering and car design but have no passion to actually sit behind a wheel.
Being taught is for the grades. Learning is to make it in life.
I’m student of Business Management BSc but I have a great passion for graphic design. I chose my studies very intentionally. I know that if I love something, I’m going to master my skills in it and I don’t need to do a degree from it. If the person is smart, he/she will know where to find resources and tips.
Great Insights here. I believe that being self-sufficient is the key to being successful, whether you’re employed or doing it as a freelancer. It may be tough to learn graphic design skills all by yourself, but the love and passion will always win at the end of the day. Cheers!
This is like learning to drive in a strange city. If someone drives you, you’ll never find your way back. If you drive the route yourself, you’ve got it. Learning, any day!
Great question Rob. I’ve found that people learn best when the material or concepts mean something to them. We can have someone trying to teach us from the outside but it will not make sense until our mind says it does. Perhaps the best teachers are those who put the information out there but allow students to arrive at their own understanding in their own way. We’ve all felt that moment of insight when we get it about something, it feels much better than being spoon fed from the outside.