Learning and performance improvement is a complex phenomenon that is not easy to explain how a person can enhance his/her performance by just learning or going through training. This complexity is evident in a classroom where students who are exposed to the same environment get different grades. As such, different studies have tried to depict how a brain work and factors that influence learning as explained below.
The brain of a person can be compared to the muscles. The more the muscles are used, the more they get stronger (Blackwell, n.d.). This can be done by way of lifting weights to make them strong but the same muscles can shrink if you stop exercising. Our brain works the same way. Learning introduces permanent changes to the brain of a person. Take for example a person who practices math or how to juggle (Blackwell, n.d.). You will realize that with time their brain changes and acquire more ability to grasps things in the mind. But for the brain to work better and smarter, everyone must learn how to practice the right way. This is through the adoption of good strategies and attempting challenging tasks.
The skills acquired by a surgeon changes with time depending on age and the numbers of operations performed. As skills grow, the ability to undertake a given task and handle problems also increases. Unlike acquiring other skills such as playing baseball or practicing mathematics that is best understood when a person is young, surgery is a late-peaking career (Gawande, 2011). Jobs that are associated with complexities take the longest time to master. The profession keeps changing over time and healthcare professions need to continue improving their capabilities to avert falling behind. Surgeons also require coaches to gain skills for handling patients and to learn how to improve performance in the field. Coaching has recently become one of the ways being used across the world to foster effective judgment and innovation.
The two articles have similarities concerning learning and performance enhancement. The two articles depict that learning and quality enhancement takes time. As such, perfection and ability to perform a task need a lot of practice. In addition, we need teachers and coaches who can guide us on the correct path that will ensure learning takes place. However, the two studies differ on the age factor since Gawande (2011) insist that some activities such as mathematics or sports can only be learned at a younger age which is different from Blackwell (n.d.) sentiments that we can learn all things through continuous practice using the right strategy.
Conclusively, the brain of a person and his/her profession skills especially in surgery can be compared. Surgeons gain more skills as they grow in their careers and with age. The brain also works in the same way, the more we use it in learning new and challenging things, the more it grows stronger.
References
Blackwell, L. (n.d.). You can Grow your Brain. Retrieved from http://www.drjessicabc.com/uploads/8/5/9/2/85928276/you_can_grow_your_brain.pdf
Gawande, A. (2011). Personal best. The New Yorker, 3, 44-53.
