In the same line, learning takes place either by connecting new information to old or by having a brand-new experience. And because new real-life experiences are sometimes hard to come by, making meaning through prior knowledge is easier.
As a leader and/ or people manager, it is important to understand that new employees and older ones are not able to connect on the same level because the new ones experience more novelty and finding ways to present meaningful information and to create meaning is key.
Making meaning and Making Sense don’t provide the same response. If I tell you that I’m traveling from a town to another that is 2,5h away and that I am going to drive rather than fly, that will probably make sense to you - but is it meaningful?
Because the situation doesn’t concern you, you probably won't care that much to save it in memory because your brain works in different levels of understanding:
- Sense: Understood, but not relevant or necessary
- Meaning: Understood and related to something else you know
- Personal meaning: Understood and related to a personal experience
Making sense is how we exchange and gather knowledge about our world, how things work, how to use them, their purpose. Meaning making and seeking meaning however are inherently human processes at the heart of our humanity.
A good reading on this:
https://illuminateddandelion.com/2015/11/06/making-sense-or-making-meaning/
