16.3 How We Learn
In learning how to teach, we learned the three domains of human learning as is presently practiced in all secular schools. Those three domains are the cognitive domain (the mind), the affective domain (motivation and feelings together), and the psycho-motor or kinesthetic domain (using the physical body). An effective teacher understands all the levels of application in each of these three domains and ensures faithfully that each child exercises regularly in all levels of all domains.
Yet three domains of human learning is incomplete, for modern education leaves out two significant parts of our human makeup and capacity. For that reason, I am adding two more domains of learning, the pneumatic domain (the spirit) and the commutative domain (our ability to reciprocate with God).
Two Added Domains. Added to this chapter is an addendum containing full layouts and descriptions of each of these five domains of learning, and then the assignment for this chapter will be to study and familiarize yourself with these five domains and their levels. I have chosen very carefully the titles of the two domains I have added, and have devised their levels in accordance with educational protocol and human reality because I intend, if God so wishes, that these two added domains stand in the practice of education through the Age of Tabernacles.
Nonetheless, the cognitive domain remains the primary arena of learning. Paul said that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet. God placed our minds as the authority in our lives, not our spirits. We judge all things, including the spirit, with the mind of Christ.
The Cognitive Domain. The five domains of human learning, then, are: Cognitive – Affective – Kinesthetic – Pneumatic – Commutative. Each of these domains contains five or six levels of human exercise, from simple to complex.
Although there are six levels of complexity in the cognitive domain, the following five chapters on human expression share a rough correspondence with these levels of mental exercise. The six levels of complexity in the cognitive domain, to be exercised by each learner, are (1) to know, (2) to comprehend, (3) to apply, (4) to analyze, (5) to evaluate, and (6) to create. Each of these is a critical part of our definition, of what it means to be human, that is, just like Jesus, of His same kind.
Remember the Facts. I want to expand just a bit on each of these six levels of the cognitive domain and how they will apply to Chapters 17 to 21 of this text.
To know, in this context, is the simple memorization of facts, and being able to repeat those facts back when questioned. Think of the memorization of facts as the boards of a building to be built. Before I can build, I must gather the boards onto the site. Nonetheless, having a pile of boards does not mean that a house will appear. I must now do something with those boards. At the same time, no house can be built without the boards on the site first. A student must have the memory of facts before he or she can exercise the higher cognitive levels which use those facts for larger purposes. Nonetheless, it is the larger purpose that draws in the need for the facts.
Comprehend and Apply. Chapter 17, “Human Living,” will look at the basic facts of human life that all humans share inside the framework of defining the human. To comprehend, then, is to know the meaning of the facts, why and how they work and where they fit. Chapter 18, “Human Training” will share a loose connection to the role of comprehension. In that chapter we will seek to understand human learning better.
To apply is to make use of the facts in small, but practical ways. Being able to nail three or four boards together into a simple stool is a necessary first step towards building a house. Of truth, Solomon’s knowledge, understanding, and wisdom have some application to these first three levels of thinking.
Analyze and Evaluate. To analyze is to take something apart in order to understand its components and how they fit together. To analyze is also central to Solomon’s definition of wisdom. Chapter 19, “Human Adventure,” will put together application and analysis in terms of that peculiar enjoyment that God and humans both share – the love of ADVENTURE.
To evaluate is to judge, to measure something against a given set of criteria. This level of thinking is a central quality we share with God. We are judges. As Jesus said, “I judge by what I hear (the criteria) – word out from the Father.” Chapter 20, “Human Judgment,” will explore this facet of our human capacity – and judgment was given to them.
Create Something Brand New. Finally to create is the highest level of human thinking, to take all the other parts of mental capacity and to synthesize them, to weave them all together into something brand new. Writing this textbook is an example of creating in the cognitive domain. I am definitely making use of all the other levels of thinking all the time. Chapter 21, “Human Creativity,” will be a study of how creating is the biggest and most fun part of sharing adventure with God.
Now, the other four domains cannot be left out, for we are complete and whole, with every part of our capacity, designed in us by God, in full operation together all the time. We are restrained by space, however, to limit this discussion.
Affective and Kinesthetic. The levels of complexity in learning to operate our human capacity in the affective domain are (1) receiving – being aware of things; (2) responding – to input from others; (3) valuing – objects, ideas, behaviors; (4) organizing – putting together a personal philosophy; (5) characterizing – living by your personal values. An effective teacher is always thinking about how each student is responding and requiring them to develop these qualities with the goal of being fully capable of being motivated by a personal internalized set of values.
The levels of complexity in learning the kinesthetic or psycho-motor domain are (1) perception or awareness – observing the world around, (2) set or readiness to act, (3) Guided response – copying the teacher, practicing; (4) mechanism or basic proficiency – able to work well at a given skill; (5) skillful performance – doing automatically, from ingrained experience; (6) adaptation – changing skills to fit new situations or problems; (7) origination – creating new movement patterns in the application of skills. It is easy to see how the development of any physical skill from ballet to woodworking must follow these steps of learning and application.
Pneumatic and Commutative. Now we are establishing something new inside the realm of education, a layout of the pneumatic and commutative domains of learning. In the end, I think that we will find that the commutative domain is equal in importance to the cognitive domain in learning, as we are completed and whole humans functioning together with God as His revelation inside of creation.
Let’s start with the pneumatic domain, the levels of exercise that train our spirits to function in their full human capacity. There will be some similarities to the elements in the already established domains. In fact, we think of developing our spirits in a very similar way to developing the physical side of our bodies.
The Pneumatic Domain. The levels of exercise in the pneumatic domain are (1) spiritual perception or awareness of spirit, (2) readiness or willingness to move in spirit, (3) practicing spiritual gifts under the guidance of others, (4) proficiency in ministering in spirit, (5) living a life of spirit action, and (6) sending forth the Spirit in power into specific and differing needs.
Notice that, except for the last exercise, I have kept the word spirit with a small ‘s,’ meaning the exercise of the human spirit. Yes, we know that our spirit is one with the Spirit of Christ, but so is our flesh one with His flesh. Our purpose here is human training. We think of training the spiritual capacities of our body equally with training the physical capacities of that same body. We think of being skilled in the spiritual things and doings of the heavens equally with being skilled in the physical things and doings of the earth.
The Commutative Domain. Finally, we come to the commutative domain. This domain of learning is the highest of all, that which connects us together with the Father in our active consciousness, that which becomes “love one another” inside of Christ Community. “Commutative” is another word for “reciprocal,” that is, a back and forth exchange. Although this domain is at work in all other domains of education, its primary meaning is the back and forth dynamics of sharing life with God.
The levels of complexity in the commutative domain are (1) being conceived of God, (2) giving thanks, (3) exercising confidence, (4) including others, (5) sharing heart with God, (6) sharing life with God. Let’s expand just a bit on each of these six levels of exercise.
Being Conceived of God. Being conceived of God is not passive and it is not a one-time event. The human is very much involved with the Word God speaks, for God never forces His life upon anyone. Every Word God speaks will come to us anew on a regular basis forever. This first level of the commutative domain means that we receive that word, letting it pass through our minds to be planted deeply in our hearts as our life.
This exercise is an active receiving, a believing into Jesus. Keeping any verse in our minds where we have figured out “what it has to mean” turns that word into death, and bars us out from even knowing that there is such a realm as sharing life with God.
From Giving Thanks to Confidence. Giving thanks is the first part of coming into harmony with God, and exercising confidence is the second part. Giving thanks is my placement of God into my life. I accept His sovereignty; I acknowledge His involvement. I find Him right and good and true in all things. Giving thanks is my complete surrender, my utter giving of myself to God.
Many try to go straight to confidence in “Christ” without first learning to give thanks in all things. It doesn’t work, for it is not Jesus in whom they are pretending “confidence.” Then, exercising confidence is taking the Word already planted in my heart and making it personal as a description of Christ living as me. It is speaking Christ made personal as me in every Word. I am part of Christ by confidence.
Including Others. Are you confident that you are part of Christ and that Jesus is your only life? Then so is your brother and sister. The next level of the commutative domain is not knowing the Father, but rather, including others. God allows no one into the knowledge of His Heart except they come carrying their brothers and sisters with them. The New Testament does not allow us to know God or His word apart from a living and healthy relationship with other believers in Jesus.
This level of the commutative domain requires some practice in walking together with others as the Community of Christ. Including others is a critical exercise, and it must be learned.
Sharing Heart and Sharing Life. Sharing Hheart with God is the next level of exercise in the commutative domain. This level operates in a similar manner as evaluation/judgment in the cognitive domain. This is practicing the mercy seat; it is turning the difficulties of life into blessing for others through our faith. This is direct engagement with God, for it always includes other people, it is always for the sake of others.
Finally, sharing life with God is the consummation of all learning and the full purpose and nature of being human. This is an exercise which we have only recently begun to practice, and it has changed our lives forever. This is what Jesus meant when He said that LIFE is to KNOW the Father, to be actively familiar with God as part of our life.
The Operation of a Completed Human. We have delineated 30 different exercises at differing levels of complexity inside of five domains of human learning. God’s definition of a completed human, trained in all goodness and truth, is one who is exercised and proficient in all 30 of these things, making use of them on a regular basis, all woven together.
Here are the highest levels of the five domains: (1) to synthesize or to create, (2) to live by internal values, (3) to devise new physical skills or accomplishments, (4) to send forth Spirit in power, (5) to share life with God. All humans possess these 30 functions and can be trained in their use. Nonetheless, the varieties of personality and expression coming through every individual human are each utterly unique and wonderful. And all of it is God Revealed.