Elvenoaks Concepts

Elvenoaks Concepts

Faculty Home

Higher Learning and effort

In Tito's case, he learns to function more efficiently in his life, to get from work to college. And although it may appear to simplify his life or "make it easier," in reality, it does not. It allows Tito to function more efficiently in a more complex environment.

This is an important point. Often, when people decide to learn new skills (surfing, fishing, computer skills, for example), they may explain the learning by saying they are making life easier.

"I took up fishing to relieve stress."

"I wanted to learn the computer to talk to my relatives online."

"I wanted a new game for the Nintendo."

Each of these learning experiences involves added effort and time. Each creates complexity. And although the goal is a happier life, rarely is that "new" life (with added knowledge) easier. It is always more complex. The simplicity appears (or is thought to appear) because the knowledge makes us more efficient. Learning, then, involves both added complexity and increased efficiency.

the hypertext continues