Over the Christmas holidays I rediscovered the Rubic's Cube. Back when they first came out (yes, I'm showing my age), I was able to solve one layer by working it out, but that was all. Back in those days, the internet was called books and you had to buy one in order find out how to solve the whole cube. I didn't get the book and so I never managed to solve the cube until recently. I found this website, at the beginning of which was the "warning" above. Using the instructions, I was able to finally work out how to solve a Rubic's Cube!

One of the benefits of having studied knowledge management is that I am now a lot more aware of my learning process. I was able to think about how the instructions on the website were internalised into my brain and then turned to muscle memory in my hands so that I can perform certain tasks without having to think about them. I also understand the difference between knowing the process and knowing the instructions. Knowing the instructions just means you know how to do something. But knowling the process means you know why things are done, and so can improvise and change to suit the situation. I know the process of solving the top layer, so don't need the step by step instructions. I understand how to compete the second layer, but still need to follow the instructions. The final layer, I only understand the instructions, if I don't follow them I get confused and have to start again.

Knowledge management teaches about learning in a similar to mediative practices teaches about breathing. We do both from birth without being conscious of it, but only by becoming aware of our learning processes and our breathing can we take steps to understand it and improve it.