Learning shock is the experience of acute frustration, confusion and anxiety experienced by some students, who are exposed to unfamiliar learning and teaching methods, unexpected and disorienting cues, and subjected to ambiguous and conflicting expectations.

1. Learning Shock what is it?
Learning shock is the experience of acute frustration,
confusion and anxiety experienced by some students, who
are exposed to unfamiliar learning and teaching methods,
unexpected and disorienting cues, and subjected to
ambiguous and conflicting expectations

2. Lets discuss
Discuss how substantial
change in environment and
experiences can affect
learning
Assess the implications for
personal development.
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3. You need to plan your personal development
Use the tools given you – knowledge of personality, leadership skills,
team-working, learning styles, etc.
You have hopefully already written down:
Why you wanted to take this course, MSc, MBA etc.
Why you wanted to take it NOW – what stage are you at in your career
and where do you want to be after completion.
What you hope to achieve in terms of personal development this year
(initial thoughts).
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4. Consider the context
Some of you have moved countries
Many are now in a multi-cultural group for the first time.
Some of you have English as a second or third language
There are many new things to learn about English culture and education
system – useful to learn but can still lead to difficulties.
Three key areas influence each other:
– Personal
– Social
– Academic
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5. Culture Shock
Research shows ‘culture shock’ can affect everyone in a new
environment.
Strain and anxiety from contact with new culture loss of cultural cues and
social rules.
Feelings of loss, confusion, lack of control – psychological and
physiological changes.
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6. My own experience – 10 years in Holland
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7. Phases of Culture Shock
1-5 stages depending on study (Taft, 1977)
Honeymoon or tourist feel
Crises or shock
Adjustment, reorientation, and gradual recovery
Adaptation, resolution, acculturation
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8. How does culture shock feel?
Feeling confused, sad, lonely, homesick.
Feeling ‘lost’ (sometimes literally!)
Feeling misunderstood.
Feeling cannot express oneself, loss of social contact, loss of confidence,
loss of identity…
Developing negative, simplistic views of others (The British).
Seeking contact only with people from own country.
Hard to concentrate! (so affects your academic work too)
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9. Are you still in the first stage?
Enjoyment, euphoria, ‘in love’ with everything and so certain of
future success
(try to get that back later!)
Have a look at this video on culture shock…
Culture Shock what it is
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10. Learning Shock
Experiences of acute frustration, confusion and anxiety felt by some
students when exposed to unfamiliar learning and teaching methods.
Learning to learn again – and work in groups on ‘strange’ tasks – and for
many be exposed to very different cultural aspects.
Values sometimes challenged.
Identity challenges...
Do you think you may experience any of these?
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11. Issues also with mature study
Getting used to studying again!
Struggling to balance work, family and education – events always seem to
work against you.
Getting sufficient quiet time to study.
Getting access to the computer and getting used to the technology.
Study can feel isolating, but study groups can also feel challenging.
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12. Some Coping Strategies
Discuss expectations with fellow students and tutors.
Be open about issues (you are rarely alone!)
Share your own concerns and discuss the different forms of learning, air
conflicts (politely) and respect Difference!
Accept that culture shock and learning shock is ‘normal’ and will reduce.
Remember to use personal development aspects, learning styles, how
teams form, your personal styles etc., and use these for both reflection
and action during the course.
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13. Other tips
Although culture shock and learning shock have common themes, each
individual is different – consider your own situation not everyone else’s.
Try to suspend your stereotyping
Acquire as much knowledge as you can
Take care of yourself physically – sleep, food and social contact will all
help to maintain health.
Plan, develop realistic expectations, balance own cultural maintenance
with new cultural experiences
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14. And later – beware reverse culture shock
Going back to your own country can also be a shock, after you have
acculturated to England.
For others, just no longer having to study, and having achieved so much,
can feel really odd!
Can be an awful feeling, that you no longer fit it.
As always, being aware of the feeling, knowing that it is natural, and that
you can do things about it, will help.
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15. Remember you are not alone!
Programme directors
Fellow students
Module tutors
Administrators
Talk to us! – and remember, it will all be
worth it!
RoyMogg Blog www.roymogg.com