Gut Churn and Learning in the Gap

I had never heard the term “gut churn”, but I have felt it. Jad Abumrad, the keynote speaker at #ISTE17,  defined it as the radical uncertainty that’s a core part of any creative process that really pushes the envelope. As an educator that is committed to figuring out what learners need today and how to create an environment that is learner centered, I live in a constant state of “gut churn”.

What has been the norm and expected road for students no longer is what is best for learners. Finding out what is best and having it play out in a classroom the way you hope takes a lot of trials, errors and gut churning.  This feeling intensifies when others are along on your creative journey and witnessing the bumps and failures.  Abumrad spoke of everyone hitting their “note” in a choir. I often question if my note is too far off pitch from the rest of my choir.  Finding an authentic voice is a weird, scary experience and discomfort is always there.

​Abumrad also introduced another term “the gap”. The gap is that state we are in when we are creating or trying to do or learn something. We realize it’s a step in the right direction, yet we know that what we are creating really isn’t that good yet. But it is where we are now. He also spoke about creating a large body of work.  Each time we contribute to our work, we move a little closer to the mark.  That is the only way we will ever begin to close the gap between where we are and where we need to be.  The gap is something that occurs  time and time again in creative work.  ​

Abumrad stresses the importance of showing your work along the way. Bridging the gap is about the process...the whole process. ​He reminded us of the importance of letting a question fill you.  In our journey to answer a specific question, we may not get the answer that we are seeking however we might get something far better, answers to other questions.  

The gap  allows us to experience things we would never have if we hadn’t begun the journey for the answer to a question. 

Connecting my work and feelings to Abumrad’s terms has helped me process some of the agast I feel at times.  If I am doing it right, I think “gut churn” will always exist.  (Connect is one of my three words this year....so I am noting the connection!) 

Jad Abumrad is the founder and co-host of Radiolab. (His podcast is very cool!)