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Chapter 2 Summary. The Learning Process – Learning is Natural, Teaching is an Art, and The Exchange is a Gift (Purchase Mike's Book here)

The psychology of learning involves many things including motivation, the learning cycle and communication. In chapter 2 we examine the learning cycle as a simple model to help us lend clarity to the seemingly chaotic learning process. The learning process seems chaotic when viewed from the outside because every learner will approach their learning in different ways. Viewed from the perspective of the learning cycle, we see that it is not chaotic after all, but a fluid process dependent on an understanding of how learning truly occurs. True deep learning only occurs where learners have time to openly grapple with new content. The four part learning cycle is a guide through the new content, yet at the same time allows any learner to grapple with that content in their own way. This is the beauty in this simple model.

Mike Thompson has been a flight instructor since 1979. During eight years with the US Coast Guard, he crewed fixed-wing planes and helicopters conducting flight instruction part-time.

After active duty, Thompson completed his master’s degree in education while teaching airframe and power-plant mechanics for the Wisconsin Technical College System. Thompson went on to spend eight years as an instructional-design consultant and worked on projects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Kuwait.

He then moved into college administration holding director, assistant dean, and dean positions. He retired in 2013 and continues to teach and fly as a flight instructor out of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.